Backend Developer

Science in Sport Group; Blackburn; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading performance nutrition company in Blackburn is seeking a backend developer to manage and enhance its Adobe Commerce platform. The role includes developing backend logic, implementing integrations, and ensuring data integrity and performance. Candidates should possess strong PHP and MySQL skills, alongside experience in eCommerce environments. The position offers a competitive salary and various employee benefits, fostering a collaborative and inclusive team culture.

Benefits

Pension scheme with employer contribution

On-site gym

Cycle to work scheme

Product discount

Birthday day off

Qualifications

• Demonstrable experience in backend development with Adobe Commerce / Magento 2 or similar platforms.
• Strong PHP and MySQL background, comfortable with backend architecture.
• Previous experience working with APIs and integrations.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain backend logic and modules.
• Implement integrations and backend services.
• Ensure data integrity, security, performance, and scalability.

Skills

Strong PHP knowledge

Deep understanding of Adobe Commerce / Magento

Experience with MySQL

Familiarity with REST/GraphQL APIs

Familiarity with version control (Git)

Awareness of security, scalability, and performance

Job description

Overview

Science In Sport Group is a world leader in sports and performance nutrition. We have two brands: SiS, combining world-class science and innovation for professional athletes, sports and fitness enthusiasts, and the active lifestyle community; and PhD Nutrition, offering intelligent active-nutrition products. Our brands sell through phd.com and scienceinsport.com, third-party marketplaces including Amazon, and extensive domestic and international retail distribution. In 2022 we opened a 160,000 square foot manufacturing and logistics facility in Blackburn, Lancashire. Science In Sport is the nutrition partner to globally recognised elite teams and events.

The Role

• Contract: 12-month fixed-term contract
• Salary: £50,000 - £60,000 per annum
• Working Hours: Monday to Friday, 9am to 5.30pm
• Location: Blackburn

Benefits

• Pension scheme, employer contribution at 4%
• On-site gym
• Cycle to work scheme
• Product discount
• Birthday day off

Your 4 Most Important Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain backend logic and modules - Build, extend, and maintain custom modules, business logic, and server-side functionality to support storefronts and ecommerce workflows.
• Implement integrations and backend services - Integrate third-party systems (payment gateways, ERP, stock systems, external APIs), manage data flows (orders, customers, products), and ensure seamless system interoperability.
• Ensure data integrity, security, performance and scalability - Work on database structure, queries, caching, indexing, performance tuning, and security patches to keep the platform stable and efficient under load.
• Support release cycles, maintenance, bug-fixes and technical debt management - Ensure the codebase remains clean, maintainable, and up-to-date; troubleshoot backend issues; apply patches/updates; support hotfixes and ongoing enhancements.

What You Are Responsible For Delivering

• Robust, reliable and well-architected backend code and modules for Adobe Commerce.
• Stable data handling and integrations (orders, products, customer data, payments, shipping, 3rd-party APIs).
• High performance and scalable backend infrastructure to ensure fast response times, efficient database access and proper caching.
• Secure platform; following best practices for security, data protection, and compliance.
• Timely delivery of backend features, bug fixes, and backend-related support in sprints/releases.
• Clear documentation of backend architecture, modules, APIs that facilitate maintainability and collaboration.

The skills and behaviours required to do this job well

Technical Skills

• Strong PHP knowledge and object-oriented programming.
• Deep understanding of Adobe Commerce / Magento backend architecture: modules, config XML, database models, resource models, repositories, events/observers, plugin architecture.
• Experience with MySQL (or equivalent), database schema design, query optimisation, indexing, caching layers (Redis, Varnish, etc.).
• Familiarity with REST/GraphQL APIs (for integrations, headless setups), web-services, third-party integrations (payment, shipping, ERP).
• Familiarity with version control (Git), deployment workflows / CI-CD, and development best practices (code reviews, testing).
• Awareness of security, scalability, and performance best practices in ecommerce contexts.

Behaviours & Mindset

• Detail-oriented and careful - backend mistakes can compromise data or business logic.
• Good communication - collaborate with in-house and agency developers.
• Problem-solving - ability to debug/solve complex issues, trace problems and reason across multiple layers (database, PHP, integrations).
• Ownership - take responsibility for the reliability and stability of backend systems.
• Proactive and forward-thinking - plan for scalability and future growth, avoid short-term hacks.

How you will know you are doing a great job

• Backend code and modules are stable, reliable, and rarely cause production issues or outages.
• System performance stays strong even under load. Fast response times, efficient database access, low latency.
• Integrations (payment, shipping, external APIs, custom modules) work smoothly and reliably.
• Feature requests and bug fixes are delivered on schedule, with minimal regressions or technical debt accumulation.
• Clean, maintainable code, good documentation, and adherence to standards. Others can read and extend your work easily.
• Positive feedback from your peers, backend supports the whole team without friction.

Specific metrics will be set when in role and will be reviewed and built upon regularly. Alongside this, you will be supported with a personal performance plan that will enable you to continue improving your own performance and impact.

Experience and mindset that will enable you to do well in this role

• Demonstrable experience in backend development with Adobe Commerce / Magento 2 (or similar eCommerce platforms).
• Strong PHP + MySQL (or relational DB) background, comfortable with backend architecture and data models.
• Previous experience working with APIs, integrations, payment/shipping systems, third-party modules and customisations.
• Understanding of high-traffic websites: performance, caching, scalability, security.
• Eagerness to learn and adopt best practices, keep up with platform updates and security patches.
• Collaborative team player with willingness to work across frontend/back-end, DevOps, QA when required.

Science in Sport Group is an equal opportunity employer; we value diversity and strive to cultivate an inclusive workplace. We do not tolerate discrimination of any kind in regard to race, colour, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We fully support reasonable adjustments throughout our recruitment process, to provide an inclusive and welcoming recruitment experience.