Senior Web Application Developer (PHP/Laravel)

About the opportunity

PRO-ED is seeking a Senior Web Application Developer to develop, maintain, and improve web applications used internally and in educational and clinical settings.

This position combines hands-on software development, database work, accessibility and security implementation, and advanced technical troubleshooting. You will work with colleagues and customers whose technical experience ranges from novice users to experienced IT professionals.

We are looking for someone who enjoys understanding how an application works, tracing problems to their source, and explaining solutions clearly and patiently. Success means delivering reliable software and helping people use it effectively across a wide range of devices and institutional environments.

What you will do

• Develop and maintain web applications using PHP, Laravel, JavaScript, jQuery, HTML, and CSS.
• Design and maintain MySQL databases; write and optimize SQL queries and stored procedures; and perform controlled data updates, migrations, and troubleshooting.
• Build, integrate, and troubleshoot APIs, including authentication and authorization using JSON Web Tokens (JWT).
• Investigate production issues by tracing user actions, application code, API requests, database operations, scheduled jobs, and logs.
• Perform routine Linux tasks, including cron configuration, log analysis, shell scripting, file permissions, and secure remote access.
• Implement and test accessible interfaces against applicable WCAG requirements, with WCAG 2.2 Level AA as the development target.
• Implement technical safeguards supporting applicable HIPAA, FERPA, and GDPR obligations and relevant NIST guidance, working with designated compliance and security stakeholders.
• Test application behavior across browsers, operating systems, devices, and assistive technologies used in schools and clinical settings.
• Work with customer IT teams to diagnose issues involving connectivity, authentication, browser restrictions, firewalls, proxies, and content filtering.
• Communicate findings, workarounds, and resolutions in language appropriate to the audience.
• Write maintainable code, perform code reviews, create appropriate tests, and document changes and troubleshooting procedures.

Required qualifications

• Five or more years of professional web application development experience, or equivalent experience demonstrating senior-level technical judgment and independent problem-solving.
• Strong production experience with PHP and Laravel.
• Proficiency with JavaScript, jQuery, HTML, CSS, and responsive web interfaces.
• Strong SQL and MySQL skills, including relational database design, joins, transactions, indexing, stored procedures, query optimization, and safe data manipulation.
• Experience developing and integrating APIs and securely implementing JWT-based authentication and authorization.
• Working knowledge of Linux, cron, logging, shell scripting, SSH, and secure file transfer. Familiarity with FTP and Telnet in legacy environments and their security limitations.
• Practical experience implementing web accessibility, including semantic HTML, keyboard navigation, focus management, accessible forms, and screen-reader testing.
• Knowledge of HIPAA, FERPA, GDPR, and relevant NIST security frameworks or guidance, with experience translating applicable requirements into technical controls.
• Strong understanding of internet privacy and application security, including access controls, encryption, input validation, audit logging, credential protection, and secure handling of sensitive information.
• Familiarity with Windows PCs, Macs, Chromebooks, iPads, and other tablets, and with how browser applications interact with assistive technologies such as switches and augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices.
• Working knowledge of web and network fundamentals, including HTTP/HTTPS, TLS, DNS, cookies, sessions, and common restrictions in school district and healthcare networks.
• Experience using Git or another version-control system.
• Clear written and verbal communication, patience with users of varying technical abilities, and persistence in identifying the root cause of an issue.

Preferred qualifications

• Experience with integrating AI agents into company systems.
• Experience supporting applications used by school districts, hospitals, clinics, or other organizations handling sensitive student or patient information.
• Knowledge of special …