About the position
Our client is looking for a Senior-Level Backend PHP Developer to join their engineering team. This role is suited to a highly experienced, detail-oriented, and technically strong developer with extensive PHP expertise and a passion for designing scalable, high-quality backend systems. The successful candidate will take ownership of complex backend solutions, contribute to architectural decisions, and mentor other developers while working across the full development lifecycle in collaboration with frontend developers, product teams, and QA to deliver robust and efficient web applications.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead the design, development, and maintenance of scalable backend services and RESTful APIs using modern PHP frameworks (Laravel or similar)
- Architect robust, secure, and high-performance backend systems aligned to best practices
- Collaborate with frontend developers to ensure seamless system integrations across the full stack
- Build clean, maintainable, and well-tested code aligned to coding standards
- Design, manage, and optimise MySQL databases, including schema design, migrations, and query performance tuning
- Troubleshoot, debug, and resolve complex application and system issues across environments
- Integrate third-party APIs and external data services
- Conduct code reviews and mentor mid-level and junior developers
- Support CI/CD processes and work closely with DevOps to ensure smooth deployments
- Identify performance bottlenecks and implement scalable, efficient solutions
- Contribute to architectural planning, technical strategy, and engineering best practices
Requirements:
- 6+ years’ professional experience in PHP development
- Strong understanding of object-oriented programming (OOP) and MVC architecture
- Extensive experience with Laravel or similar modern PHP frameworks
- Advanced MySQL skills, including query optimisation and database design
- Experience working with Git and collaborative version control workflows
- Extensive experience building and consuming RESTful APIs (JSON/XML)
- Strong understanding of unit and feature testing in PHP
- Proven experience mentoring developers and conducting code reviews
- Strong communication skills and the ability to work independently and within a team
- Experience working with caching and messaging tools such as Redis or RabbitMQ
- Exposure to Docker or containerised environments
- Basic understanding of frontend technologies such as [URL Removed] or React
- Exposure to CI/CD pipelines and automated deployments
- Experience working with secure data or financial integrations (advantageous)
- Experience with cloud platforms such as Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, or Google Cloud (advantageous)
Technical & Professional Skills:
- Advanced PHP development (Laravel or equivalent frameworks)
- Strong SQL and database optimisation skills
- Experience with RESTful API development and integration
- Knowledge of software design principles and clean architecture
- Understanding of caching strategies and asynchronous processing
- Exposure to cloud and container environments
- Familiarity with modern DevOps practices and deployment pipelines
- Strong debugging and performance optimisation capabilities
- Experience with software architecture and design patterns
Preferred Qualifications:
- Tertiary qualification in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field
- Relevant PHP or software development certifications (advantageous)
- Experience working in a fast-paced, agile development environment
Key Competencies:
- Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities
- High attention to detail and commitment to code quality
- Strong communication and collaboration skills
- Ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities in a dynamic environment
- Proactive, solution-driven mindset
- Strong leadership, mentoring, and knowledge-sharing approach
- Passion for continuous learning and technical improvement
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We also specialise in recruiting for:
- Software Developers (Back-End, Front-End, Full Stack)
- Mobile Developers
- Business & Systems Analysts
- BI & SQL Experts
- UI/UX Professionals
- Data Scientists & Data Analysts
- Big Data Professionals
- Cloud Experts
- Infrastructure Specialists
- DevOps & SecOps Engineers
- Cybersecurity Specialists
- SEO / Digital Designers
Please note: If you have not received feedback within two weeks, please consider your application unsuccessful. Your profile will remain in our database for future opportunities.
For more information, contact:
Reinie Du Preez
Senior Specialist Recruitment Consultant
[Email Address Removed]
Desired Skills:
- PHP Developer
- Backend PHP Developer
- Laravel
