At a Glance
- Tasks: Architect and build high-performance backend systems using core PHP and custom frameworks.
- Company: Join MakersHub, an award-winning fintech startup revolutionising Accounts Payable automation with AI.
- Benefits: Highly competitive salary, fully remote work, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Work closely with a technical CTO and enjoy occasional travel opportunities.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team creating impactful, scalable backend solutions in a fast-paced environment.
- Qualifications: 7+ years PHP experience, strong background in custom frameworks, and ability to work independently.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.
We are looking for engineers who have experience building or working with custom frameworks, core backend systems, and high-performance PHP applications. If your experience is primarily CMS or standard web development (WordPress, Drupal, basic Laravel apps), this role will not be the right fit.
You must have at least one of the following:
- Experience building or maintaining a custom framework
- Contributions to open-source backend libraries/frameworks
- Experience working on high-load, scalable backend systems
You’ll be working directly with a highly technical CTO who is deeply experienced in PHP and backend system design. We are looking for engineers who think beyond frameworks — those who understand how systems work under the hood and can build them from scratch.
The Role: We’re looking for a top-tier Senior PHP Backend Engineer to help build and scale a custom, high-performance backend infrastructure. This is NOT a standard PHP/Laravel role. You will be working on custom-built frameworks, libraries, and infrastructure, designed for performance, scalability, and low latency.
What You’ll Do:
- Architect and build backend systems using core PHP
- Develop and maintain custom frameworks, libraries, and core classes
- Design scalable, high-performance APIs and services
- Optimize for high concurrency, low latency, and reliability
- Work closely with the CTO (PHP expert) on system design and architecture
- Drive best practices in security, testing, and performance
Tech Stack:
- PHP (custom architecture – not relying on Laravel/Symfony)
- FrameworkX (async processing)
- React (frontend)
- MySQL, Redis, queues
What We’re Looking For (Must-Have):
- Strong PHP engineering background (7+ years)
- Proven experience building or working with custom frameworks (ESSENTIAL)
- Experience building applications/platforms (not just web apps)
- Ability to work without heavy framework reliance
Strong Technical Experience In:
- Designing scalable systems with high concurrency
- Building custom libraries/reusable components
- API architecture and third-party integrations
- Performance optimization & database tuning (MySQL)
- Async processing, queues, and caching (Redis)
- Secure systems (payments, financial data preferred)
Ideal Candidate Profile:
- Has contributed to meaningful open-source projects OR
- Built/maintained custom frameworks or internal platforms OR
- Worked on high-load, low-latency, or financial systems
Culture Fit:
- Experience in startups or small teams
- Comfortable with ambiguity & fast-paced environments
- High ownership mindset
- Genuinely excited about the product & company
Interview Process:
- Intro / behavioural
- Technical deep dive
- Final (CEO, if required)
Logistics:
- Fully remote (UK / Europe preferred)
- CTO based in Germany
- Travel 1–2x/year max
Screening Questions:
- What experience do you have building custom frameworks or libraries from scratch (without relying on Laravel/Symfony)?
- Can you share open-source contributions or code samples?
- Have you worked in a startup or small team environment?
- Are you comfortable working in a fast-paced, ambiguous environment?
Senior Backend Engineer (PHP) in Manchester employer: Lorien
MakersHub is an exceptional employer for Senior Backend Engineers, offering a dynamic and innovative work environment that fosters creativity and technical excellence. With a focus on building high-performance backend systems and a culture that encourages ownership and collaboration, employees benefit from direct mentorship by a highly experienced CTO and opportunities for professional growth in a rapidly scaling fintech startup. The fully remote setup allows for flexibility while occasional travel to Germany provides unique networking opportunities within the industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Backend Engineer (PHP) in Manchester
✨Tip Number 1
Get your networking game on! Reach out to folks in the industry, especially those who work at MakersHub or similar companies. A personal connection can make all the difference when it comes to landing that interview.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Prepare a portfolio of your past projects, especially those involving custom frameworks and high-performance systems. This will help you stand out and demonstrate your expertise beyond just PHP.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Get ready for technical interviews by brushing up on system design and architecture principles. Be prepared to discuss your experience with scalability and concurrency in detail.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are genuinely excited about joining our team!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Backend Engineer (PHP) in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Custom Framework Skills:Make sure to highlight your experience with custom frameworks in your application. We want to see how you've built or maintained these systems, so don’t hold back on the details!
Be Specific About Your Technical Experience:When you describe your past roles, focus on your work with high-performance systems and backend infrastructure. We’re looking for engineers who understand the nitty-gritty of system design, so let us know what you’ve done!
Share Your Open-Source Contributions:If you've contributed to any open-source projects, make sure to mention them! This shows us your commitment to the community and your ability to work collaboratively on complex systems.
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 get you into our process quickly. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Lorien
✨Know Your PHP Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your core PHP skills, especially around custom frameworks. Be ready to discuss your experience building or maintaining these frameworks, as this is a key requirement for the role.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Prepare to share specific examples of your work with high-performance systems. If you've contributed to open-source projects or built custom libraries, have those ready to discuss. This will demonstrate your hands-on experience and technical prowess.
✨Understand System Design
Since you'll be working closely with the CTO on system architecture, be prepared to talk about your approach to designing scalable and reliable systems. Think about how you optimise for high concurrency and low latency, and be ready to share your thought process.
✨Embrace the Startup Culture
Familiarise yourself with the fast-paced, ambiguous nature of startup environments. Be ready to discuss how you've thrived in similar settings before, showcasing your ownership mindset and excitement for the product and company.
