PHP Developer

Formula Recruitment; Remote; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment agency is seeking a PHP Developer for a 6-month remote contract with a rate of up to £325 per day, outside IR35. The role involves designing and building PHP-based middleware services and integration-heavy applications, specifically tailored for backend APIs that serve various platforms. The ideal candidate should have strong PHP experience, REST API skills, and exposure to tools like Airtable and Node.js. This position offers flexibility and the opportunity to work on cutting-edge AI-enabled applications.

Qualifications

• Strong background in PHP development and API integration.
• Proven experience in designing and building middleware services.
• Ability to produce clear API documentation and system diagrams.

Responsibilities

• Designing and building PHP-based middleware services.
• Creating BFF APIs tailored to internal tools and AI consumers.
• Integrating third-party platforms via REST APIs and webhooks.

Skills

Strong PHP experience

Experience with integration-heavy backend systems

REST API experience

Airtable

Node.js

AI agents

MCP servers

DevOps exposure

Job description

Contract: PHP Developer – 6 months rolling, up to £325 per day, Outside IR35, Fully remote

We’re partnered with a product‑led business building smart, integration‑heavy backend systems and AI‑enabled applications.

They’re looking for a PHP Developer contractor to design and deliver clean middleware services and APIs that stitch together multiple platforms.

What you’ll be doing:

• Designing and building PHP‑based middleware services
• Creating Backend-for-Frontend (BFF) APIs tailored to internal tools, portals, and AI consumers
• Integrating third‑party platforms via REST APIs, webhooks, queues, and scheduled jobs
• Using Airtable as a cache/coordination layer, not a primary datastore
• Contributing to AI and MCP server integrations with clean, well‑scoped APIs
• Producing clear API documentation, ADRs, and system diagrams

Required skills:

• Strong PHP experience
• Experience of building integration‑heavy backend systems and middleware applications
• REST API experience, specifically for backend‑for‑frontend
• Desirables: Airtable, Node.js, AI agents, MCP servers, DevOps exposure

Please note: Due to the high volume of applications, unfortunately, we may not be able to provide feedback to all applicants.