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- Tasks: Lead backend development on modern web platforms and APIs for a global education organisation.
- Company: Join a growing tech team with a supportive and collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary up to £65,000, hybrid work, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic environment focused on continuous improvement and career advancement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by shaping backend architecture and driving engineering standards.
- Qualifications: Strong PHP and Symfony experience, with a knack for problem-solving and teamwork.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 65000 £ per year.
Location: Leeds (Hybrid – 2 days per week onsite, Monday & Thursday)
Salary: Up to £65,000 (DOE)
The opportunity: We’re looking for a Senior Back-end Developer, with expertise in PHP and Symfony to join a growing technology team building modern web platforms that support a globally recognised education-focused organisation. This is a hands-on senior engineering role, ideal for someone who enjoys owning backend development, solving complex technical problems, and contributing to the ongoing evolution of scalable web applications and APIs used by thousands of users. You’ll join a close-knit engineering team where collaboration, openness, and culture are genuinely valued. The environment is modern, supportive, and delivery-focused, with a strong emphasis on continuous improvement, technical quality, and shared ownership. The business is investing heavily in its digital platforms, with an ambitious roadmap focused on improving user experience, expanding platform capability, and supporting long-term growth. You’ll play a key role in shaping backend architecture and helping drive engineering standards across the team.
What you’ll be doing: As a Senior Back-end Developer, you’ll take ownership of backend development across a modern Symfony-based platform and API ecosystem, working closely with frontend developers, stakeholders, and leadership teams. Key responsibilities include:
- Leading backend development across web applications and APIs
- Designing, building, and maintaining scalable Symfony-based services
- Developing and improving RESTful API endpoints
- Supporting ongoing platform scalability, reliability, and performance
- Refactoring existing functionality to reduce technical debt and improve maintainability
- Collaborating with frontend developers working within React / Next.js applications
- Supporting architectural decisions and promoting engineering best practices
- Participating in code reviews and mentoring less experienced developers
- Contributing to technical discussions, sprint planning, and delivery processes
- Supporting integrations with third-party platforms including CRM, payment, and analytics tools
Core technology stack:
- PHP 8
- Symfony
- Symfony API Platform
- MySQL
- Docker
- AWS
- React / Next.js frontend environment
- Jira, Bitbucket, Slack
What we’re looking for:
Essential experience:
- Strong commercial experience with PHP and Symfony
- Experience building and maintaining APIs and backend services
- Solid understanding of MySQL and relational database design
- Experience supporting and improving complex web applications
- Strong understanding of software architecture and backend best practices
- Experience working within collaborative Agile development teams
- Ability to write clean, scalable, and maintainable code
- Excellent problem-solving and communication skills
Desirable / bonus experience:
- Experience with Symfony API Platform
- Experience working with Docker-based local development environments
- Exposure to AWS and cloud-based deployments
- Experience integrating third-party platforms and services
- Experience mentoring junior developers
- Frontend exposure with React or Next.js
About you: You’re a hands-on engineer who enjoys solving real technical problems. You take ownership and care about building high-quality systems. You enjoy working as part of a collaborative, close-knit team. You’re comfortable contributing ideas and influencing technical direction. You value clean architecture, maintainability, and continuous improvement. You’re adaptable, proactive, and motivated by meaningful work with real-world impact.
Senior PHP Developer employer: Fynity
Contact Detail:
Fynity Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior PHP Developer
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the industry! Attend meetups, tech conferences, or even local coding events. You never know who might be looking for a Senior PHP Developer like you!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Create a portfolio showcasing your best projects, especially those involving PHP and Symfony. Share it on platforms like GitHub or your personal website to give potential employers a taste of what you can do.
✨Ace the Interview
Prepare for technical interviews by brushing up on your PHP and Symfony knowledge. Practice coding challenges and be ready to discuss your past projects and how you tackled complex problems.
✨Apply Through Us!
Don’t forget to check out our website for job openings! Applying directly through us not only shows your interest but also gives you a better chance to stand out in the crowd.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior PHP Developer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience with PHP and Symfony. We want to see how you've tackled backend development challenges and contributed to scalable web applications. Don’t just list your skills; show us how you’ve used them!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Tell us why you're passionate about backend development and how you can contribute to our team. Mention specific projects or experiences that align with our goals at StudySmarter.
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills: In your application, share examples of complex technical problems you've solved in the past. We love engineers who can think critically and come up with innovative solutions, so don’t hold back on those success stories!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our awesome team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Fynity
✨Know Your Tech Stack Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in PHP, Symfony, and MySQL. Brush up on your knowledge of RESTful APIs and be ready to discuss how you've used these technologies in past projects. Being able to talk confidently about your experience will show that you're the right fit for the role.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare to discuss specific technical challenges you've faced and how you overcame them. Think of examples where you improved system performance or reduced technical debt. This will demonstrate your ability to tackle complex problems, which is crucial for a Senior Back-end Developer.
✨Emphasise Collaboration and Communication
Since this role involves working closely with frontend developers and other stakeholders, highlight your experience in collaborative environments. Be ready to share examples of how you’ve contributed to team discussions, code reviews, and mentoring junior developers.
✨Understand the Company’s Vision
Research the organisation and its digital platforms. Familiarise yourself with their goals for improving user experience and scalability. Showing that you understand their mission and how you can contribute will set you apart from other candidates.