PHP Developer (Laravel) – Full Stack

We are seeking an experienced and motivated PHP Developer with strong backend and server management skills to join our growing team. The ideal candidate will have over 3 years of experience working with PHP, MVC frameworks (ideally Laravel), and MySQL, and be confident in working within a full-stack environment. You will play a key role in maintaining and evolving our platform, as well as managing deployments and server infrastructure hosted on DigitalOcean. Key Responsibilities Develop, maintain, and enhance web applications using PHP and Laravel Design and optimise database schemas and queries using MySQL Work on both backend and frontend development tasks, including JavaScript/jQuery Deploy and manage applications using Forge and DigitalOcean Monitor server health and manage updates, backups, and patching on Linux (Ubuntu) Manage SSH connections and perform CLI-based server tasks using PuTTY or similar tools Collaborate with cross-functional teams to understand project requirements and deliver scalable solutions Write clean, maintainable, and efficient code following best practices Key Requirements 3 years PHP development experience 3 years MVC framework experience (Laravel preferred) 3 years MySQL experience including complex joins, indexing, and performance tuning 2 years JavaScript/jQuery experience Experience using Laravel Forge and managing DigitalOcean droplets Solid understanding of Linux Ubuntu server environments (2 years) Proficiency with SSH tools (PuTTY) and command-line interfaces Experience with server administration, including basic monitoring, uptime checks, logs, and performance optimisation Strong debugging and problem-solving skills Good communication and time-management skills Desirable (Nice to Have) Experience with other front-end frameworks (e.g., Vue.js, Alpine.js) Knowledge of automated testing in Laravel (PHPUnit, Pest) Awareness of security best practices (server and application level) What We Offer Flexible working hours and hybrid - first culture (minimum one day a week in the office) Opportunities to contribute to innovative and high-impact projects Supportive team and growth-oriented environment Access to training and development tools Regular team check-ins and social events Job Types: Full-time, Permanent Pay: £30,000.00-£35,000.00 per year Benefits: Company pension Free parking On-site parking Private medical insurance Work from home