PHP, Laravel & Symfony
Native PHP and framework development for backend architecture, maintenance, refactoring, upgrades and new functionality.
About Riecko
Senior development for software that needs to keep working.
I build, improve and run web platforms, APIs and AI applications. With a strong backend foundation, attention to users and the responsibility to make software operate well in production.
15+
years of web development experience
PHP
Laravel, Symfony and API architecture
AI/RAG
From prototype to useful application
CI/CD
Automated builds and releases
Profile
Connecting technology, product and ownership.
I am Rick van Raalte, a Senior / Lead Full-Stack Developer based in Alkmaar, the Netherlands. I am open to a permanent employed role, an interim position or freelance collaboration. My work sits between backend engineering, product development and technical ownership.
I am often brought in when a codebase has become complex, a platform has demanding reliability requirements or an idea needs to become a product people can use every day.
I can also build a project from scratch: from technical architecture and data model to frontend, deployment, monitoring and the first stable production release.
My strength is combining native PHP, Laravel and Symfony with API integrations, modern frontends, AI/RAG and a dependable DevOps and CI/CD foundation. I work independently deep in the code, while also taking on technical lead or Scrum Master responsibility when it helps a team move forward.
What I do best
A broad technical foundation with a practical focus.
From scratch to production
Building a complete project from the initial architecture and data model through frontend, deployment, monitoring and a stable production release.
APIs & integrations
Robust connections with payment providers, marketplaces, data sources, game providers and internal business systems.
AI & RAG
AI applications that connect trustworthy information, search functionality and real workflows.
DevOps & Linux server management
Linux server management, Docker, GitLab CI/CD, deployment pipelines and hosting environments that stay repeatable and understandable.
Performance & scale
High-traffic platforms, Core Web Vitals, database challenges and systems that need to remain stable under pressure.
Teamlead & Scrum Master
Providing technical direction, structuring work and helping teams move forward with visible priorities.
Selected experience
Projects where technology makes a real difference.
Senior Full-Stack Developer
One Casino
High-performance casino platform with SSR, realtime WebSockets, wallet transactions, game provider integrations and a strong focus on security and Ksa compliance.
Vue.js · Nuxt.js · REST APIs · WebSockets
Senior Backend Developer
Zorgkiezer.nl
Complex comparison logic and API integrations for premium calculations and large data volumes during intense switching seasons.
Symfony · PHP · API architecture · High concurrency
Senior Full-Stack Developer
DeGoedkoopsteNotaris.nl
Reduced technical debt, improved performance and rebuilt interactive forms and funnels with a lightweight frontend architecture.
Symfony · PHP · Native JavaScript · MySQL
AI Architect & Lead Developer
SuperSimple CRA Operations
Laravel/Livewire SaaS platform in development for software manufacturers, with semantic search and traceable technical evidence.
Laravel 13 · PHP · Livewire · Flux UI · MariaDB/MySQL · GitLab CI/CD
Backend Developer & Teamlead
Shoppartners
Built logistics and product management software, a BOL.com integration for around 500,000 products and led a team of four developers.
Laravel · GitLab · CI/CD · BOL.com API
PHP Developer & Scrum Master
Begame
Developed and maintained international casino platforms, payment integrations and Dutch regulatory requirements such as Cruks.
PHP · Laravel · Payment APIs · Scrum
Career
From full-stack development to technical ownership.
2024 - present
Riecko.com - Freelance Senior / Lead Developer
Freelance assignments, AI product development, Laravel/Symfony, API integrations and DevOps.
2022 - 2024
Shoppartners - Backend Developer
CI/CD, Laravel, logistics, product management, BOL.com integration and leadership of four developers.
2018 - 2022
Begame - PHP Developer
Casino platforms, payment integrations, regulation and Scrum Master/teamlead responsibility.
2011 - 2018
Create, Grondontwikkeling Nederland and Elma Multimedia
Laravel/Symfony, full-stack applications, API integrations, CRM, campaign sites and internal tools.
Technologies
The tools I use to build and operate.
An overview of the main technologies I use across projects, products and production environments.
Backend & frontend
PHP
Native PHP and modern applications
Laravel
Web applications and API platforms
Symfony
Enterprise and complex backend logic
Vue & Nuxt
Modern and fast frontends
React
Interfaces and product frontends
Data & AI
MySQL, MariaDB & PostgreSQL
Relational databases and data models
Algorithms, caching & search
Redis, Elasticsearch and efficient search and data processing
Qdrant
Vector search and RAG solutions
Pinecone
Vector databases for AI workflows
Python & RAG
Semantic search and AI integrations
DevOps & tooling
Linux server management
VPS and production environment operations
GitLab CI/CD
Automated builds and deployments
Docker
Reproducible development environments
REST & WebSockets
Integrations and realtime data
Tools & ways of working
The practical layer behind the build.
Alongside code and frameworks, I use the tools and processes needed to build, release and maintain software together.
Development
- PhpStorm
- Visual Studio Code
- Composer
- npm & Vite
- Postman
Version control & delivery
- GitHub
- GitLab
- GitLab CI/CD
- Docker
- Vagrant
Server operations
- Linux CLI & SSH
- Ubuntu
- CentOS
- Nginx
- Apache
- Plesk
Collaboration
- Jira
- Confluence
- Scrum
- Agile
- Scrum Master
- Teamlead
Available for the next challenge
Looking for a senior developer or technical point of contact?
I am open to a permanent employed role, an interim position or a freelance assignment around Laravel, Symfony, AI, API integrations and DevOps.