PHP Developer – Backend (Symfony, AWS, APIs, Microservices)

United States Digital Space LLC

United States

Hybrid

USD 66,934 - 80,321

Full time

14 days+

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Benefits offered by this job

Casual dress

Company events

Company pension

Cycle to work scheme

Free parking

Health & wellbeing programme

On-site parking

Profit sharing

Referral programme

Sick pay

Job summary

United States Digital Space LLC is seeking a Backend PHP Developer to join our team in a hybrid role based in Colchester. You will develop, maintain, and optimize PHP code, APIs, and microservices, with exposure to AWS and DevOps practices.

The role requires 5+ years of commercial PHP development, strong Symfony, REST APIs, AWS, Linux/NGINX, Git, and solid documentation. You will work in an Agile environment, collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver high-quality features.

Qualifications

Commercial PHP development experience with Symfony framework.
Experience building REST APIs and microservices.
Proficiency with AWS services (EC2, S3, CloudFront, RDS).
Familiarity with Linux/NGINX and Git.
Strong frontend basics: HTML, CSS, JavaScript and accessibility.
Excellent documentation skills.

Responsibilities

Develop well-structured, maintainable, and testable PHP code using Symfony.
Design and implement APIs and microservices for seamless system integration.
Work with AWS services to optimize performance and scalability.
Develop and maintain business logic for internal applications and customer-facing platforms.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define, document, and implement new features.
Ensure code quality through best practices, version control (Git), and testing strategies.
Stay up-to-date with industry trends, best practices, and emerging technologies.
Work within an Agile development process, estimating work and delivering projects on time.

Skills

PHP

Symfony

REST API

AWS

Linux

Git

HTML/CSS/JS

Documentation

Tools

Webpack

React

ES6

SOLR

Redis

SEO

Google Tag Manager

Job description

the company is the largest independent retailer of cruises in the UK. Our reputation as market leaders in providing high quality cruise itineraries and packages whilst always meeting our client’s high standard, is matched by our commitment to providing a fantastic place to work. In November 2024 we transformed into an Employee-Owned business and this significant milestone marks the beginning of a new era for the business as we enter our 30th year in business.

We pride ourselves on our amazing staff retention rate as we believe it shows the investment we put into our employees. Over 50% of our staff have worked for us for over 5 years and 36% for over 10 years. Being an employee-owned company has many benefits but also means all employees get to share in the company’s profits and £3,600 of this can be paid, per annum tax free!

About you

The ideal candidate for this role is a proactive and adaptable Full Stack PHP Developer who thrives in a collaborative and dynamic environment with the opportunity to have your voice heard and help shape our technical projects. With at least three years of commercial experience, you should be passionate about delivering high-quality solutions, working closely with cross‑functional teams, and contributing to the success of an employee‑owned business. A strong technical foundation in PHP, Symfony/Laravel frameworks and REST APIs is essential, along with a keen eye for detail and problem‑solving abilities. You should be eager to learn, open to exploring new technologies, and committed to maintaining the high standards that the company is known for. A positive attitude, excellent communication skills, and a passion for innovation will ensure success in this role.

PHP Developer – Backend (Symfony, AWS, APIs, Microservices)

About the Role

We’re looking for a talented Backend PHP Developer to join our team. As the largest independent cruise retailer in the UK, we are continuously evolving and striving to be at the forefront of technology.

This role is ideal for a proactive problem solver who enjoys working both collaboratively and independently. You will play a key role in developing, maintaining, and optimizing our websites and internal systems. Additionally, you will gain exposure to a wide range of technologies, including frontend, backend, and DevOps.

Key Responsibilities

Develop well‑structured, maintainable, and testable PHP code using Symfony.
Design and implement APIs and microservices for seamless system integration.
Work with AWS services (EC2, S3, CloudFront, CloudWatch, Lambda, RDS) to optimize performance and scalability.
Develop and maintain business logic for internal applications and customer‑facing platforms.
Collaborate with cross‑functional teams to define, document, and implement new features.
Ensure code quality through best practices, version control (Git), and testing strategies.
Stay up‑to‑date with industry trends, best practices, and emerging technologies.
Work within an Agile development process, estimating work and delivering projects on time.

Required Skills & Experience

PHP (Strong experience)
Symfony Framework (Deep knowledge required)
REST API Development & Consumption
AWS (Experience with key services like EC2, S3, CloudFront, RDS)
Linux & NGINX (Familiarity with server environments)
Git Version Control
Semantic HTML, CSS, and JavaScript (Understanding of frontend integration)
Software Documentation (Ability to write and maintain clear documentation)

Preferred / Bonus Skills

Experience with Webpack, React, ES6
Knowledge of BEM and CSS methodologies
Experience with SOLR Document Search & Redis caching
Understanding of website performance optimization techniques
Familiarity with SEO best practices
Experience using Google Tag Manager

What We Look For

Strong attention to detail and organization
Excellent problem‑solving and analytical skills
Ability to work independently and within a team
Passion for technology and continuous learning

If you're an experienced PHP developer with a solid grasp of Symfony, APIs, and AWS, we'd love to hear from you!

We are happy to have an informal call about this role and answer any further questions you may have, please feel free to drop us a message or submit your CV.

No recruitment agencies please, we are looking to build direct relationships with talented developers like yourself.

Job Type

Full‑time

Pay

£50,000.00 – £60,000.00 per year

Additional Pay