Our client is looking for a Mid-Level Backend PHP Developer to join their engineering team. This role 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 development lifecycle, collaborating with frontend developers, product teams, and QA to deliver robust and efficient web applications.
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 [URL Removed] 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:
https://www.networkrecruitmentinternational.com/it-jobs
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
[Email Address Removed]
Desired Skills:
- PHP
- Laravel
- ResTful API