Web Developer (Laravel; PHP)

StarVale Management & Technologies Ltd; Ellel; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Leave + holidays + birthday off

Employee assistance program

Rewards program

Remote work up to 4 weeks/year

Job summary

StarVale Management & Technologies Ltd is seeking a skilled Laravel developer to lead the migration of a legacy PHP platform to Laravel, while maintaining internal and client-facing systems. The role focuses on scalable Laravel development, database improvements, and reliable deployments across multiple environments.

You will work in a hybrid setup, based at the Galgate office with flexible in-office days, contributing to modern engineering practices and cross-team collaboration.

Qualifications

• Strong hands-on expertise with PHP and modern MVC frameworks, especially Laravel.
• Solid understanding of Linux, Apache, MySQL, and PHP environments.
• Advanced proficiency in MySQL/SQL queries, schema design, and data modelling.
• Fluent in vanilla JavaScript and modern frontend tools; DNS and web service integration knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Audit legacy PHP applications and migrate them to clean, scalable Laravel structures.
• Develop and enhance web applications with high-quality PHP/Laravel code.
• Optimize databases and SQL queries for reporting and operational accuracy.
• Support internal systems and users, troubleshooting and resolving issues.
• Collaborate with IT, auditors and stakeholders to gather requirements and communicate decisions.
• Contribute to code reviews, documentation, and adoption of modern design patterns.
• Assist with LAMP deployment, DNS configuration and secure deployments.

Skills

PHP & Frameworks

LAMP Stack

Database Management

Front-End & Services

Education

Degree in Computer Science or relevant qualifications

Tools

Laravel

Symfony

CodeIgniter

Job description

Over the past 30 years, we’ve grown from humble beginnings with a single computer into a diversified, global, technology-enabled lottery and prize draw company (ASX: JIN). Today, Jumbo operates across Australia, the UK, Canada and the US, bringing together technology, creativity and purpose to create premium digital experiences people love.

Based in Galgate, StarVale is dedicated to strengthening the fundraising power of charities, not‑for‑profits, and hospices across the UK. We combine specialist lottery management with a genuine commitment to helping organisations maximise their impact, so more communities receive the support they deserve.

What will you be doing?

As an experienced Laravel developer, you will drive the development of our clients’ websites and database systems. In this role, you will be responsible for pushing best practices and ensuring the successful migration of our current legacy platform to Laravel.

The role centres on developing, enhancing, and supporting both internal and external Database Management Systems. You will play a key part in maintaining and evolving existing PHP‑based systems, reviewing legacy codebases, and guiding their transition toward contemporary frameworks, improved performance, and best‑practice engineering standards.

What Your Day-to-Day Will Look Like

Your daily work will centre on driving modern Laravel development while supporting the smooth running of our core systems and client platforms. You can expect to:

• Work on legacy migration tasks - auditing existing PHP applications, identifying outdated patterns, and progressively rebuilding them into clean, scalable Laravel structures.
• Develop and enhance web applications - writing high‑quality PHP/Laravel code, improving user flows, and ensuring stable, high‑availability performance across client‑facing and internal systems.
• Optimise databases and SQL queries - refining complex queries, improving schema design, and ensuring data integrity for reporting and operational accuracy.
• Support internal systems and users - troubleshooting issues, responding to client or user queries, and ensuring smooth day‑to‑day operations across StarVale and Jumbo environments.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams - working closely with IT, auditors, and departmental stakeholders to gather requirements, validate solutions, and communicate technical decisions clearly.
• Participate in engineering quality practices - contributing to code reviews, documentation, and the adoption of modern design patterns and best practices.
• Support infrastructure and deployment - assisting with LAMP environment tuning, DNS configuration, and ensuring secure, reliable deployments across multiple client systems.

What You’ll Be Able to Bring to the Role

Essential

• PHP & Frameworks: Strong hands-on expertise with PHP and modern MVC frameworks, specifically Laravel (Symfony or CodeIgniter experience is a plus).
• LAMP Stack: Solid understanding of Linux, Apache, MySQL, and PHP environments.
• Database Management: Advanced proficiency in MySQL/SQL query writing, schema optimisation, and data modelling.
• Front-End & Services: Fluent in vanilla JavaScript/modern frontend tools, with practical knowledge of DNS management and web service integration.

Mindset & Soft Skills

• Migration Mindset: Confidence to evaluate legacy code, challenge outdated practices, and guide non‑technical stakeholders through modernised technical solutions.
• Problem Solver: Highly resourceful with strong initiative, able to own projects independently from requirements‑gathering to deployment.
• Communication: Excellent people skills to liaise effectively between technical teams, external auditors, and cross‑departmental stakeholders.

Preferred:

• Degree in Computer Science or relevant qualifications (E.g. Coding Camps)
• Familiarity with .NET Core, displaying your adaptability and potential contributions to future service migrations would be advantageous
• Ability to work within agile environments, including Kanban and Sprints.

Salary Banding: £35,000-£45,000 per annum, depending on experience

Our Ways of Working

At StarVale, we value balance and flexibility. You will be based in our office in Galgate, Lancaster. This role is a hybrid with typically 3 days per week in‑office. We prioritise results and collaborate to make sure everyone can contribute effectively, while enjoying flexibility and balance in how they work. This is a role where you can make an impact and your ideas matter.

Why Join StarVale?

Find Your Freedom -

https://bit.ly/Jumbointeractive

At StarVale, our team thrives because we invest in our people. Here’s what you can expect from us;

• An annual regional bonus scheme that rewards your contributions, dependent on company performance.
• 25 days annual leave + public holidays + your birthday off.
• Access to our Employee Assistance Program, providing counselling and coaching.
• Reward & Recognition programme and length of service benefits.
• The freedom to work from almost anywhere in the world for up to 4 weeks a year.

Candidates who are offered a position will be required to complete pre‑employment checks through our partner, Checkmate, which will include referencing, Right to Work in the UK and DBS checks. We are, unfortunately, unable to offer sponsorship opportunities.

We are a 2026 Circle Back Initiative Gold Employer – we commit to respond to every applicant.