PHP-FREELANCE
Senior Web Backend · PHP · TypeScript · Symfony · Node.js
Senior freelance web backend developer · 17+ years of experience · France

Modern web backends that support your product, not fight it.

Senior freelance developer with 17+ years of hands-on experience building web backends. I help product teams design, refactor and ship backends and APIs in PHP/Symfony and TypeScript/Node.js. Specialized in hexagonal architecture, Domain-Driven Design and legacy modernization. Based in Strasbourg (France), working remotely for clients across France and Europe.

PHP 8+ · Symfony TypeScript · Node.js · NestJS REST & GraphQL APIs Hexagonal · Clean Architecture Domain-Driven Design API Platform PostgreSQL · MongoDB · DynamoDB Docker · AWS · Terraform TDD · CI/CD Legacy modernization Full-stack when needed
Discuss your project on LinkedIn See my profile on Malt
🧱
Web backends as a product

I treat the backend as a product on its own: clear APIs, solid boundaries and smooth integration with front-ends and third-party systems.

🔁
From legacy to manageable

Progressive refactoring for existing PHP/Symfony or Node.js services: no big rewrite, just steady improvement aligned with your roadmap.

🌐
Backend-first, full-stack capable

Strong backend focus with the ability to step into front-end work when needed to keep delivery and integration moving forward.

Industries served

Over 17+ years as a freelance web backend developer, I have worked with companies of all sizes — from startups to multinationals — on technically demanding projects across a wide range of industries.

🏠 Real estate (IAD) 📢 Classifieds (Leboncoin / Adevinta) ✈️ Aviation (Air France / DgBirds) 💊 Pharmaceuticals (Sanofi) 🚗 Automotive (Suzuki Motor Europe) 🌍 Travel & tourism (Gestour / Amadeus) 📚 Digital publishing (Lunii) 🛒 Retail & distribution (Cora / Carrefour) 🤝 Nonprofits & social economy (GoTombola / ItiQiti) ☁️ SaaS & platforms (Maars)
Areas of expertise
🏗️ Software architecture

Designing maintainable, evolvable backends using hexagonal architecture (ports & adapters), Clean Architecture and Domain-Driven Design. Clear separation between business logic, infrastructure and interfaces.

⚡ APIs & integrations

Building performant REST and GraphQL APIs with Symfony, API Platform, NestJS and Apollo. Third-party integrations, authentication, webhooks and inter-service communication (SQS, events).

🔄 Legacy modernization

Progressive refactoring of existing PHP/Symfony and Node.js applications: microservice extraction, cloud migration (AWS Lambda, ECS), automated testing introduction and continuous improvement without big-bang rewrites.

☁️ Cloud & DevOps

AWS infrastructure (Lambda, ECS, S3, DynamoDB, RDS, SQS), Docker containerization, Infrastructure as Code (Terraform), CI/CD pipelines (GitHub Actions, GitLab CI, CircleCI) and monitoring.

Approach

My approach combines pragmatism and quality: I ship code that works today and remains maintainable tomorrow. Every engagement follows a simple principle — understand the business context before touching code, set clear boundaries (hexagonal architecture, DDD bounded contexts) and put tests in place that secure future evolution.

I integrate into existing teams, working remotely or with partial on-site presence. Comfortable in Agile/Scrum environments, I collaborate with product owners, frontend teams and ops to ensure smooth, predictable delivery. My reference reading — Working Effectively with Legacy Code (Feathers), Implementing Domain-Driven Design (Vernon), Refactoring (Fowler) — reflects a core belief: quality software comes from rigorous development practices applied every day.

What clients say
Michel brings real value to product/tech collaboration by providing business insight into developments.
David H. · Head of Engineering, IAD Group
A true expert, an excellent mentor and always in good spirits, it was a real pleasure working with Michel.
Thomas H. · Head of Engineering, Leboncoin
He produces stable, maintainable code and is a very pleasant colleague with whom you enjoy exchanging ideas.
Sébastien V. · Captain Air France, ex-President DgBirds
Experienced, competent, tenacious, yet humble and determined. He knows how to integrate into a team and bring his expertise.
Olivier H. · Former CTO, ItiQiti
LinkedIn LinkedIn Malt Malt