Senior PHP Software Engineer

Universal Business Team; England; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading UK organisation is seeking a Senior PHP Software Engineer to join their team in Swindon. This role involves designing and developing scalable applications using Laravel, mentoring junior developers, and contributing to technical discussions. The ideal candidate will have over 7 years of experience in PHP development and a strong understanding of software architecture. A competitive salary and hybrid working options are offered.

Benefits

Competitive salary up to £70,000

Performance-related bonuses

Continuous learning opportunities

Collaborative work environment

Qualifications

• 7+ years of professional PHP development experience, including strong knowledge of Laravel.
• Strong understanding of object-oriented programming, design patterns, and application architecture.
• Proficiency with MySQL and SQL Server.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and development of new features and modules within Laravel-based applications.
• Refactor and optimise existing codebases to enhance performance, scalability, and reliability.
• Write clean, testable, and well-documented code following modern PHP standards.

Skills

PHP development

Laravel

MySQL

Docker

API development

Problem-solving

CI/CD workflows

Job description

Senior PHP Software Engineer

Location: Swindon (Hybrid) | Salary: Up to £65,000 per annum (depending on experience)

Build the Technology that Powers a Safer, Smarter Future

We're working with a leading UK organisation at the forefront of technology-driven workplace and safety solutions to recruit an experienced Senior PHP Software Engineer. This is an excellent opportunity to join a modern, forward-thinking business where technology underpins operations and drives innovation. You'll play a key role in developing and enhancing the company's in‑house systems, supporting digital transformation, and helping to deliver seamless solutions to major UK clients.

The Role

As a Senior PHP Software Engineer, you'll take ownership of core technical components within a fast-evolving software ecosystem. You'll design, develop, and maintain scalable, secure applications while mentoring junior developers and collaborating closely with teams across the business.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design and development of new features and modules within Laravel‑based applications.
• Refactor and optimise existing codebases to enhance performance, scalability, and reliability.
• Develop and maintain RESTful APIs and integrations with internal and third‑party systems.
• Write clean, testable, and well‑documented code following modern PHP standards.
• Contribute to architectural planning, sprint reviews, and technical discussions.
• Collaborate with DevOps and front‑end teams to deliver seamless end‑to‑end solutions.
• Provide technical leadership and mentoring to other developers.

Requirements

About You

Essential Skills & Experience:

• 7+ years of professional PHP development experience, including strong knowledge of Laravel.
• Strong understanding of object‑oriented programming, design patterns, and application architecture.
• Proficiency with MySQL and SQL Server.
• Hands‑on experience with Docker and containerised development environments.
• Proven experience in API development and third‑party integrations.
• Strong understanding of testing practices and CI/CD workflows using Git.
• Excellent problem‑solving, debugging, and communication skills.

Desirable Skills

• Experience deploying applications to AWS or other cloud platforms.
• Familiarity with microservices or event‑driven architectures.
• Exposure to front‑end frameworks such as React or Vue.js.
• Understanding of security best practices.
• Experience working in an Agile/Scrum environment.

Benefits

This is a fantastic opportunity to join a forward‑thinking organisation where innovation and purpose go hand in hand. You'll be part of a collaborative team that values technical excellence, continuous improvement, and meaningful impact.

What's on Offer

• Competitive salary up to £70,000 per annum (DOE)
• Performance‑related bonuses
• Hybrid working (Swindon HQ with remote flexibility)
• Continuous learning and career development opportunities
• A supportive, collaborative environment where your ideas are valued
• The chance to make a tangible impact on systems and products used by major UK clients