Mid-Level Backend PHP Developer

SUMMARY:
Our client is looking for a Mid-Level Backend PHP Developer to join their engineering team in a fully remote role. This opportunity is suited to a proactive, detail-oriented, and technically strong developer with solid PHP experience and a passion for building scalable, high-quality backend systems.

The successful candidate will work across the full software development lifecycle, collaborating with frontend developers, product teams, and QA teams to design, develop, test, and deliver robust and efficient web applications. This role offers the opportunity to contribute to meaningful technical solutions while working in a flexible remote environment.

POSITION INFO:
Key Responsibilities: Design, develop, and maintain scalable backend services and RESTful APIs using modern PHP frameworks (Laravel or similar) Collaborate with frontend developers to ensure seamless system integrations across the full stack Build clean, maintainable, and well-tested code aligned to best practices and coding standards Design, manage, and optimise MySQL databases including schema design, migrations, and query performance tuning Troubleshoot, debug, and resolve application and system issues across environments Integrate third-party APIs and external data services Participate in code reviews and contribute to continuous improvement within the engineering team Support CI\/CD processes and work closely with DevOps to ensure smooth deployments Identify performance bottlenecks and implement scalable, efficient solutions Requirements: 3+ years' professional experience in PHP development Strong understanding of object-oriented programming (OOP) and MVC architecture Solid experience with Laravel or similar modern PHP frameworks Strong MySQL skills including query optimisation and database design Experience working with Git and collaborative version control workflows Experience building and consuming RESTful APIs (JSON\/XML) Understanding of unit and feature testing in PHP Strong communication skills and ability to work independently and within a team Experience working with caching and messaging tools such as Redis or RabbitMQ (advantageous) Exposure to Docker or containerised environments (advantageous) Basic understanding of frontend technologies such as Vue.js or React (advantageous) Exposure to CI\/CD pipelines and automated deployments (advantageous) Experience working with secure data or financial integrations (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 or container environments (advantageous) Familiarity with modern DevOps practices and deployment pipelines Strong debugging and performance optimisation capabilities Preferred Qualifications: Tertiary qualification in Computer Science, Information Technology, or 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 teamwork and knowledge-sharing approach Passion for continuous learning and technical improvement Additional Requirements: The role is remote-friendly within South Africa, provided the working environment supports stable fibre connectivity (minimum 100Mbps recommended) and a suitable home workspace for confidential and productive work For more exciting IT vacancies, visit: \/> 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 three 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