At a Glance
- Tasks: Build high-traffic, content-heavy sites using headless WordPress and modern development practices.
- Company: Join a leading digital media group investing in innovative web platforms.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working with occasional office visits and competitive salary.
- Why this job: Be part of a forward-thinking team focused on performance, security, and collaboration.
- Qualifications: Strong experience in headless WordPress, PHP, REST APIs, and custom plugin development required.
- Other info: Opportunity to work with engineers across the UK and Europe on cutting-edge projects.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 52000 £ per year.
Location: Manchester (Hybrid, occasional office visits, once a month)
Full-time, Permanent
£60,000 - £65,000
I'm currently working with a leading digital media group that's investing heavily in their web platform and they're looking for a Senior WordPress Engineer with serious backend skills, particularly in headless WordPress at scale.
This is a genuinely exciting opportunity to get stuck into building out high-traffic, content-heavy sites that are powered by clean, scalable architecture and modern development practices. It’s not your average WordPress gig, think API-first, JAMstack, CI/CD pipelines, and containerised environments – all the good stuff.
You’ll be part of a growing, forward-thinking team where engineering standards are high, DevOps is a given, and everything is built with performance and security front of mind. This is a hands-on, code-focused role where your experience with custom plugins, GraphQL, REST APIs, and advanced PHP will be key to shaping robust, reusable services across multiple sites and teams.
There’s also a strong collaborative element here, you’ll be working closely with other engineers across the UK and Europe as they roll out the next generation of their platform.
What you’ll need to bring:
- Strong experience in headless WordPress development (enterprise-level experience is ideal)
- Deep PHP knowledge (7/8) and understanding of the WordPress core
- Hands-on experience creating and integrating with REST APIs and WPGraphQL
- Custom theme/plugin development optimised for headless use
- ACF, CPTs, taxonomies – you know the drill
- Secure API handling (OAuth, JWT) and best practices in authentication
- Solid grasp of performance optimisation – query tuning, caching, CDN strategies
- Familiarity with Docker, Git, and modern CI/CD pipelines
- Confidence in delivering clean, frontend-ready APIs (React, Next.js or similar)
- JAMstack know-how and a passion for scalable, API-first design
Location & Working Setup:
The team is mainly based in London, Peterborough or Manchester, but this role is open to hybrid/remote working, with a touchpoint in the office around once every 4–6 weeks.
If you’re an experienced WordPress engineer who’s passionate about headless builds, modern architecture, and writing clean, reliable code, this could be a great fit.
Senior WordPress Engineer - Headless employer: RedCat Digital
Contact Detail:
RedCat Digital Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior WordPress Engineer - Headless
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in headless WordPress development. Follow industry leaders on social media and engage in relevant online communities to stay updated on best practices and emerging technologies.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your experience with REST APIs and WPGraphQL by contributing to open-source projects or creating your own. This not only demonstrates your skills but also gives you practical examples to discuss during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Network with professionals in the field by attending meetups or webinars focused on WordPress and modern web development. Building connections can lead to referrals and insider information about job openings.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare for technical interviews by practising coding challenges related to PHP, API integration, and performance optimisation. Use platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to sharpen your problem-solving skills.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior WordPress Engineer - Headless
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience with headless WordPress development, PHP, and API integrations. Use specific examples of projects where you've implemented these skills to demonstrate your expertise.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for modern web development practices and how they align with the company's goals. Mention your familiarity with JAMstack, CI/CD pipelines, and any relevant projects that showcase your capabilities.
Showcase Technical Skills: Include a section in your application that lists your technical skills relevant to the role, such as experience with Docker, Git, and performance optimisation techniques. This will help the hiring team quickly see your qualifications.
Highlight Collaborative Experience: Since the role involves working closely with other engineers, mention any previous collaborative projects or teams you've been part of. Emphasise your ability to communicate effectively and work within a team to achieve common goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at RedCat Digital
✨Showcase Your Technical Skills
Be prepared to discuss your experience with headless WordPress development in detail. Highlight specific projects where you've implemented custom plugins, REST APIs, and GraphQL. This is your chance to demonstrate your deep PHP knowledge and how you've optimised performance in past roles.
✨Understand the Company’s Tech Stack
Research the technologies mentioned in the job description, such as JAMstack, Docker, and CI/CD pipelines. Familiarise yourself with how these tools are used in a headless WordPress environment. Showing that you understand their tech stack will impress the interviewers.
✨Prepare for Collaborative Scenarios
Since the role involves working closely with other engineers, be ready to discuss your experience in collaborative environments. Share examples of how you've successfully worked in teams, especially in remote or hybrid settings, and how you handle code reviews and feedback.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about the company's approach to performance optimisation, security practices, and future projects. This not only shows your interest in the role but also helps you gauge if the company aligns with your career goals and values.