PHP Backend Software Developer at a Reputable Company - PHP Backend Software Developer

ROLE OVERVIEW


We are seeking a highly skilled Backend Software PHP Developer to lead the core technical development of our custom commercial platform. This role is focused on the core of the system, responsible for designing, building and maintaining the high-performance, secure and scalable backend services. You will be the architect of the system's data flows and business logic, turning complex requirements from stakeholders into clean, maintainable and testable code.


KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

CORE DEVELOPMENT AND FEATURE DELIVERY


Full-cycle Feature Development - Design, implement and maintain core modules of the internal platform using PHP (PHP 8+) and Object-Oriented programming principles. This includes building and managing the full CRUD lifecycle for entities such as Users, Transactions, Geo-logs and Verification records.
Backend Service Architecture - Build secure, scalable backend services, including RESTful APIs for high-volume transactions. Implement secure authentication mechanisms (e.g., with PHP Sanctum/Passport) and integrate with critical external services like M-PESA and Co-op Bank APIs for escrow functionalities.
Business logic implementation - Develop complex business logic for key workflows.
Code management - Ensure all code developed is committed to the company Gitlab repository at the end of each day.


ARCHITECTURE, INNOVATION AND TECHNICAL LEADERSHIP


Platform architecture - Contribute to the overall platform architecture, exploring and recommending best-fit solutions such as PHP microservices or cloud-native deployments.
Innovation and Research - Research and prototype emerging technologies (e.g., blockchain for traceability, AI for yield forecasting) to maintain the platform competitive edge.
Compliance: Ensure the platform complies with relevant Kenyan laws, including the Data Protection Act 2019 and CBK requirements for integrations.


COLLABORATION AND DOCUMENTATION


Work closely with Business Analysts, Product Owners, and external stakeholders to translate business requirements into technical specifications.
Documentation: Create and maintain comprehensive technical documentation for code, APIs, and architecture using tools like Swagger/PHP API Documentation and Confluence .


REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:


Education: Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field.
Experience: 5+ years of experience in backend software development, with 3+ years of advanced proficiency in PHP (8.2+) and a modern MVC framework like Laravel or Symfony.
Technical Skills

Strong SQL Skills: Expert knowledge of database schema design, complex query optimization, and performance tuning (MySQL/PostgreSQL).
API Development: Proven experience in designing and building robust, high-performance RESTful APIs .
Security: Strong understanding of software security concepts, OWASP Top 10, and data encryption .
Testing: Familiarity with automated testing and a commitment to high code quality .


Additional skills: Experience with Docker, CI/CD pipelines, containerization, Springboot, dot.net, and cloud platforms.


PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES


High degree of autonomy and a "self-driven" approach to ownership.
Excellent problem-solving skills with a focus on delivering high-impact results.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills for effective collaboration.