Senior Backend Developer

Position Overview:

Our client is looking for a technically exceptional Senior Backend Developer with a deep understanding of modern PHP development (Laravel), SQL optimization, API design, and systems integration. You'll be responsible for building high-performance backend systems, connecting with diverse external platforms, and introducing automated, scalable testing and deployment strategies. Experience applying machine learning in backend workflows is a significant bonus.

Key Responsibilities:

• Architect, develop, and maintain scalable RESTful APIs.
• Integrate and interface with third-party platforms (e.g., authentication services, data feeds, SaaS tools).
• Design and optimize high-performance SQL queries and relational schema for transactional systems.
• Build and extend modular Laravel applications using SOLID principles and modern PHP patterns.
• Implement CI pipelines and comprehensive test coverage using automated testing frameworks.
• Maintain and evolve code in GitHub with PR-based collaboration and branching strategies.
• Collaborate on backend architecture decisions, contributing to high-level system design.
• Mentor junior engineers in software architecture, testability, and scalable design.
• (Optional) Implement data-driven automation using ML models in backend services (e.g., Python microservices or PHP ML libs).

Tech Stack & Tools:

• Languages & Frameworks: PHP 8+, Laravel, SQL, T-SQL, JavaScript (basic)
• DevOps & Tooling: GitHub Actions, CI/CD pipelines, Composer
• Testing: PHPUnit, Pest, Mockery, Postman (for API testing), tSQLt
• Data & ML (Nice to have): Python (scikit-learn, pandas), PHP ML libraries
• Cloud & Infra (Nice to have): Azure

Required Qualifications:

• 5+ years of backend development experience, including Laravel 8+ in production environments.
• Proficient in designing and optimizing SQL databases for transactional systems.
• Experience with external service integration via REST APIs (OAuth, JSON).
• Familiar with TDD or BDD workflows and CI pipelines.
• Solid grasp of Git version control, code reviews, and team workflows.
• Strong architectural thinking, especially around modular and extensible backends.