At a Glance
- Tasks: Join us to develop a cutting-edge lending platform using PHP and AI tools.
- Company: Be part of the UK's largest finance provider in the medical and dentistry sectors.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, health benefits, remote work, and growth opportunities.
- Other info: Dynamic team culture focused on collaboration and continuous learning.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on financial technology while working with innovative AI solutions.
- Qualifications: 3+ years PHP experience, strong Yii2 knowledge, and a passion for fintech.
We are the UK's largest finance provider in the medical and dentistry sectors. We operate a financial services platform that powers automated lending, loan management, and retailer financing solutions. Our platform processes applications, manages loans, handles payments, and integrates with credit reference agencies, lenders, and payment providers.
We're looking for a mid-to-senior PHP engineer to work on our core lending platform. You'll develop features across our automated decision engine, payment processing systems, lender integrations, and customer/retailer portals. This is a full-stack role with emphasis on backend PHP development, working on a mature codebase that handles real financial transactions and regulatory compliance.
We're an AI-forward engineering team - we use AI coding assistants (Claude Code, GitHub Copilot, Cursor, etc.) to accelerate development and AI-powered code review to maintain quality. You'll be expected to use these tools effectively while maintaining high standards for security and correctness in financial systems.
We are ISO27001 accredited and use security first principals.
- Develop and maintain features across application decisioning, loan management, and payment processing using AI-assisted development tools
- Build integrations with credit reference agencies (TransUnion, Equifax), lenders, and payment gateways
- Implement automated workflows using our event-driven architecture and decision engine
- Work on multi-tenant systems, ensuring data isolation and security
- Optimise database queries and caching for performance at scale
- Contribute to API development for internal and external integrations
- Write and maintain tests (unit, functional) using Codeception
- Participate in AI-assisted code reviews - both reviewing AI-generated code and using AI to review others' code
- Debug production issues involving financial transactions and third-party integrations
- Collaborate with AI tools effectively while maintaining ownership and understanding of all code
PHP & Yii2 Framework
- 3+ years PHP development experience (PHP 8.1+)
- Strong understanding of Yii2 framework (ActiveRecord, components, modules, behaviours)
- Experience with MVC architecture and OOP principles
- Understanding of PHP namespaces, traits, and modern PHP features
Database & Data
- Proficient in MySQL - complex queries, joins, indexing, optimisation
- Experience with database transactions and ensuring data consistency
Backend Development
- Strong understanding of RESTful API design and implementation
- Experience with authentication systems (API keys, OAuth, session management)
- Knowledge of queueing systems for background job processing
- Understanding of caching strategies (Redis)
Frontend & Design
- Proficiency in CSS (Flexbox, Grid, responsive design)
- Mobile-first design principles and responsive web development
- Experience with CSS preprocessors (Sass, Less) or modern CSS-in-JS
- Understanding of cross-browser compatibility and progressive enhancement
- Ability to translate designs into pixel-perfect, accessible UI components
General Software Engineering
- Git version control (branching, merging, rebasing)
- Experience with Docker for local development
- Understanding of software testing principles and practices
- Ability to read and understand large, legacy codebases
- Strong debugging and problem-solving skills
- Critical thinking – ability to review and validate AI-generated code for correctness and security
AI-Assisted Development
- Experience with AI coding assistants (Claude Code, GitHub Copilot, Cursor, Cody, etc.)
- Understanding of prompt engineering for code generation
- Ability to effectively use AI for code exploration, refactoring, and debugging
- Experience reviewing AI-generated code critically, especially for security vulnerabilities
- Familiarity with AI-powered code review tools
- Understanding when to use AI assistance vs. manual coding
- Experience with semantic code search tools and LSP-based development
Financial/Fintech Experience
- Experience in fintech, lending, or financial services
- Understanding of credit decisioning, affordability assessments, or loan management
- Knowledge of UK financial regulations (FCA, GDPR)
- Familiarity with payment processing (Direct Debit/BACS, card payments, Faster Payments)
- Understanding of credit reference agencies and credit checking
Technical Skills
- Vue.js 3 for frontend component development
- Experience with event-driven architectures
- Knowledge of rule engines or workflow systems
- Experience with multi-tenant SaaS platforms
- Familiarity with open banking APIs
- Understanding of webhook integrations and handling asynchronous data flows
Integration Experience
- Working with third-party APIs (credit bureaus, payment gateways, lenders)
- Building reliable webhook handlers with retry logic
- API versioning and backwards compatibility
- Experience with Laravel or other PHP frameworks
- Knowledge of TypeScript
- Familiarity with CI/CD pipelines
- Understanding of UK credit reporting (CAIS)
- Experience with PDF generation (mPDF) and document management
- Knowledge of accounting/reconciliation systems
- Open Banking implementation experience
- Experience contributing to or maintaining AI coding documentation (like CLAUDE.md files)
Core Stack
- PHP 8.x, Yii2 Framework
- MySQL (with read replicas)
- Redis (caching, sessions)
- Vue.js 3, Vite
- Docker for local development
Key Libraries & Tools
- Composer for dependency management
- Codeception for testing
- Carbon for date/time manipulation
- Various payment gateway SDKs
Architecture
- Multi-application Yii2 setup (backend, frontend, retailer, API, console)
- Shared common codebase with 300+ ActiveRecord models
- Event-driven architecture with trigger/action system
- Rule-based decision engine
- Queue-based background job processing
- RESTful APIs
AI-Forward Engineering Culture
- Work with cutting-edge AI development tools to boost productivity
- Learn to effectively prompt and guide AI assistants for complex tasks
- Participate in pioneering workflows combining human expertise with AI capabilities
- Help shape best practices for AI-assisted development in financial services
- Maintain the critical balance between AI acceleration and human oversight for sensitive financial code
Complex Domain
- Work on a comprehensive lending platform with automated decisioning, loan lifecycle management, payment processing, and regulatory compliance
- Learn about credit underwriting, affordability assessment, and UK financial services
Scale & Reliability
- Handle real financial transactions requiring accuracy and audit trails
- Build systems that integrate with banks, credit bureaus, and payment providers
- Work on multi-tenant architecture serving multiple retailers and lenders
Technical Depth
- Navigate a mature codebase with AI assistance
- Optimise database queries and caching for performance
- Build reliable webhook handlers and event-driven workflows
- Implement complex business rules in the decision engine
Full Stack Scope
- Backend API development and business logic
- Frontend components in Vue.js
- Database design and optimisation
- Third-party integrations
- Console commands and background jobs
- Attention to detail – financial systems require precision; AI suggestions must be validated
- Problem solver – comfortable debugging complex issues across multiple systems
- Pragmatic – balance technical debt with delivering features; know when AI helps vs. when to code manually
- Communicative – able to discuss technical decisions and trade-offs; explain AI-assisted approaches
- Ownership mentality – take responsibility for your code in production, whether human or AI-generated
- Curious – willing to learn about the lending/fintech domain and new AI development tools
- Disciplined – follow conventions, write tests, use transactions for financial operations
- AI-savvy – comfortable working alongside AI tools while maintaining critical oversight
- Security-conscious – understand OWASP Top 10; scrutinise AI-generated code for vulnerabilities
- Open-minded – embrace new development workflows and help evolve team practices
Do's
- Use AI to accelerate exploration, refactoring, and boilerplate code
- Use AI for test generation and documentation
- Apply AI-assisted code review to catch issues early
- Share learnings about effective AI prompting and workflows
- Validate all AI-generated financial/security code carefully
Don'ts
- Blindly merge AI-generated code without understanding it
- Skip testing because "AI wrote it"
- Ignore security best practices in AI-generated code
- Use AI as an excuse for poor code quality
Equal Opportunity Statement
We're committed to building a diverse team and encourage applications from all backgrounds.
PHP Laravel Software Engineer – Lending Platform employer: Chrysalis Finance Limited
Chrysalis Finance Limited is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where innovation meets compliance in the fintech sector. With a strong focus on employee growth, we provide opportunities for professional development and collaboration within a forward-thinking team that leverages cutting-edge technology. Located in the UK, our culture promotes security, creativity, and a commitment to excellence, making it a rewarding place for passionate engineers to thrive.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land PHP Laravel Software Engineer – Lending Platform
✨Join Local Tech Meetups
Get out there and mingle with fellow developers by joining local tech meetups. It’s a fantastic way to meet people who might be working at Chrysalis Finance Limited or know someone who does. Plus, you can pick up some trendy tech skills and trends while you're at it!
✨Contribute to Open Source Projects
Show off your coding chops by jumping into open-source projects. Not only does this give you practical experience, but it also gets you noticed in the dev community. You'll create a killer portfolio that speaks volumes about your skills to Chrysalis Finance Limited.
✨Tap into Online Developer Communities
Don’t underestimate the power of online developer communities like GitHub, Stack Overflow, and even Reddit. Participate in discussions, share your projects, and build your visibility. We can often find opportunities through these channels that can lead to a full-time gig at companies like Chrysalis Finance Limited.
✨Explore Job Boards Specifically for Tech Roles
Keep your eyes peeled on job boards that focus on tech roles. Sites like TechCareers or Stack Overflow Jobs can often have listings for companies like Chrysalis Finance Limited that might not show up on broader job sites. Make it a habit to check these regularly, and don’t hesitate to apply directly through our website!
We think you need these skills to ace PHP Laravel Software Engineer – Lending Platform
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show off your coding skills:When applying for a software engineering role, it's super important to showcase your coding skills. Make sure your CV includes your tech stack, any relevant programming languages you’re comfortable with, and examples of projects you've worked on. If you have a GitHub profile, link it up! We love to see code in action.
Tailor your portfolio:For a full-time role, we’d expect to see some solid examples of your work in your portfolio. Make sure to include at least two or three projects that highlight your problem-solving skills and your ability to work with different technologies. Focus on the projects that are most relevant to the position at Chrysalis Finance Limited.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Chrysalis Finance Limited and how your skills align with the role. Show us your passion for software development. We dig enthusiastic candidates who understand the value of collaboration and continuous learning!
Be clear and concise:When it comes to writing your CV and cover letter, clarity is key. Avoid jargon that could confuse us and stick to simple, direct language. Highlight your achievements with quantifiable results where possible, and keep everything easy to read. A well-organised application goes a long way!
How to prepare for a job interview at Chrysalis Finance Limited
✨Brush Up on Your Coding Skills
For a full-time software engineering role, it's crucial that we stay sharp with our coding abilities. Expect technical questions that might involve solving problems on the spot or discussing algorithms. Practise on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to get comfortable with the types of questions that often come up.
✨Know Your Tools and Frameworks
Make sure we’re well-acquainted with the tools and technologies listed in the job description. Familiarise ourselves with any specific frameworks or programming languages mentioned. If Chrysalis Finance Limited uses React or Node.js, for instance, be ready to discuss how we’ve used them in previous projects or coursework.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Bring along a portfolio that highlights our best work. This could be code samples, GitHub repositories, or any side projects we’ve built. Make sure we can talk through our thought process for each project, especially the challenges we faced and how we solved them—this shows our problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
While technical skills are key, full-time positions also require cultural fit. Be ready to discuss our previous experiences and how we handle teamwork, conflict, and deadlines. Brush up on the STAR method—Situation, Task, Action, Result—to clearly articulate our past experiences when discussing how we've contributed to a team.
