Back End Developer

Role Description

This is a full-time remote role for a Back End Developer at Search and Stay. As a Back End Developer, you will be responsible for developing and maintaining the server-side web application logic. You will also collaborate with front-end developers and other team members to ensure the effectiveness and efficiency of the entire application. This role requires strong problem-solving skills and a deep understanding of software development principles.

Essential skills and qualifications

• Backend web and software development: Demonstrated experience building, maintaining and supporting backend applications.
• PHP and Laravel: Strong PHP 8 skills and practical experience with Laravel 7 or later, including maintaining existing applications.
• Object oriented programming: Strong understanding of OOP principles and the ability to produce clear, maintainable and testable code.
• Domain Driven Design: Understanding of DDD principles and how to structure application logic around business requirements.
• REST APIs: Experience building and consuming REST APIs, including JSON responses, validation, HTTP status codes and error handling.
• MySQL and SQL: Strong knowledge of relational databases, SQL, schema design, migrations, Eloquent relationships, indexes and query optimisation.
• Authentication and authorisation: Experience implementing secure login, password handling, roles, permissions and controls that protect user data.
• Web security: Knowledge of security best practices, including SQL injection prevention, mass assignment protection, rate limiting and secure management of credentials.
• Data integrity: Understanding of database transactions and concurrent requests to prevent duplicate processing and conflicting bookings.
• External integrations: Experience integrating third party services and handling timeouts, failures, retries and duplicate requests.
• Background processing: Working knowledge of Laravel queues, scheduled tasks and failed job handling.
• Automated testing: Experience writing unit and feature tests for business logic, APIs, authentication and permissions.
• Problem solving and troubleshooting: Ability to interpret logs, reproduce issues, identify underlying causes and verify fixes.
• Version control: Experience using Git, including branching, pull requests, code reviews and resolving merge conflicts.
• Agile development: Experience working within agile teams, contributing to planning, estimating tasks and communicating progress or blockers.
• Jira and Confluence: Experience using Jira to manage development tasks and Confluence to maintain technical documentation.
• Communication and collaboration: Ability to clarify requirements, explain technical decisions and work effectively with developers and business stakeholders.
• Ownership and documentation: Ability to take tasks through implementation, testing and review, with clear setup instructions and technical documentation.
• Independent technical ability: Ability to explain, write, debug, test and modify code without relying on AI generated solutions. Shortlisted candidates will complete a live practical assessment.
• Qualifications: A bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering or a related field, or equivalent demonstrated professional experience.
• Collaboration with frontend developers working with Vue or Nuxt.

Shortlisted candidates will attend a brief interview with a technical Q and A, followed by a live practical test to demonstrate their Laravel development, problem solving and debugging skills. The assessment must be completed without AI assistance.