Backend Developer, DevOps Engineer – Cardo Ride

Description:

Cardo Systems is a provider of cutting-edge communication and connectivity devices and applications for powersports and outdoor enthusiasts. In 2026, Cardo is proudly unveiling its Beyond Helmet line, the first of its kind in the motorcycle industry, fostering a new age in safety, sound, and communications. After pioneering the world’s first Bluetooth-based wireless intercom headset in 2004, Cardo has been responsible for many of the industry’s innovations, revolutionizing communication, pushing technological boundaries, and enhancing user safety. Now sold in over 100 countries, Cardo is proud to be the world’s leading communication device for groups in motion. 

Cardo Ride is the official riding app by Cardo and is a consumer mobile app used by motorcycle riders worldwide to discover routes, navigate tours, record rides, and share experiences with the community. 

The backend powers mobile clients, APIs, routing/navigation, data processing, and scalable infrastructure. 

We are hiring a Backend Developer, DevOps Engineer to replace an existing role and continue development and operation of our backend, infrastructure, and routing/navigation engine for Cardo Ride, a mobile app for motorcycle riders to plan, track, and share motorcycle tours. 

The role combines hands-on backend development, infrastructure ownership, and work on our routing engine used for navigation, alongside the rest of the Cardo Ride development team. 

What You’ll Do 

Backend Development 

• Develop and maintain backend services and APIs 
• Work with Ruby on Rails, Node.js, Go, and Kotlin 
• Design and operate PostgreSQL-based data models 
• Build and maintain gRPC services 
• Ensure code quality, maintainability, and reliability 
• • Contribute to backend architecture and technical decisions 

Routing & Navigation Engine 

• Develop, operate, and improve our routing engine for navigation 
• Work with GraphHopper and OpenStreetMap (OSM) data 
• Optimize routing performance and reliability 
•  Support features related to route calculation, tour planning, and navigation 
• Collaborate with mobile and product teams on routing-related features 

Infrastructure / DevOps 

• Operate and maintain Linux-based systems 
• FreeBSD knowledge is a plus, but not required 
• Automate infrastructure and deployments using Ansible and Capistrano 
• Scale, operate, and administer PostgreSQL databases 
• Configure and maintain pgbouncer 
• Monitor system performance, availability, and stability 
• Support production issues and continuous improvements 

Tech Stack 

Backend 

• Ruby on Rails 
• PostgreSQL 
• Node.js 
• Go 
• Kotlin 
• gRPC 

Routing / Navigation 

• GraphHopper 
• OpenStreetMap (OSM) 

Infrastructure / DevOps 

• Linux (required) 
• FreeBSD (optional/nice to have) 
• Ansible 
• Capistrano 
• PostgreSQL scaling & administration 
• pgbouncer 

Education & Experience 

• Degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related technical field — or equivalent practical experience 
• 3–7+ years of professional experience in backend development, DevOps, or a combined role 
• Proven experience working with production systems (design, deployment, and operation) 
• Strong hands-on experience in backend development, ideally with modern backend languages and frameworks (e.g., Rails, Node.js, Go, Kotlin) 
• Experience with databases, especially PostgreSQL, including performance optimization and scaling 
• Practical experience with Linux-based systems in production environments 
• Experience with infrastructure automation and deployment tools (e.g., Ansible, Capistrano) 
• Experience working on distributed systems, APIs, or service-oriented architectures (e.g., gRPC) 
• Exposure to or experience with routing, navigation, or geo-based systems (e.g., GraphHopper, OSM) is a strong plus 
• Comfortable working in environments that combine development and operational responsibilities (DevOps mindset) 

Profile 

• Ownership-driven, reliable, and comfortable taking responsibility for both day-to-day execution and long-term improvements 
• Able to work independently while collaborating effectively with product, mobile, and cross-functional teams 
• Pragmatic, hands-on, and comfortable working in a fast-moving environment with evolving priorities 
• Strong sense of ownership for quality, reliability, and continuous improvement 
• Curious and product-minded, with an interest in building user-facing experiences that support real-world rider journeys 
• Comfortable balancing technical depth with a practical business and user perspective 
• Clear communicator who can work well with both technical and non-technical stakeholders 
• Motivated by building stable, scalable solutions that have a visible impact on the user experience 
• Interest in consumer products, mobility, or location-based experiences is a plus 
• A strong fit for someone who enjoys working close to the product and seeing their work reflected in real customer use 
• Affinity for the riding world or enthusiasm for the product domain is a nice advantage 

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.