At a Glance
- Tasks: Develop innovative software using PHP and Laravel while exploring AI-powered development.
- Company: Join a dynamic tech team at magic42, based in Birmingham.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, competitive salary, 33 days holiday, and dedicated learning time.
- Other info: Participate in hackathons, workshops, and enjoy regular team outings.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of AI innovation and make a real impact in software engineering.
- Qualifications: Experience in PHP and Laravel, with a passion for AI tools and collaboration.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Experienced PHP and Laravel Developer - Web and Software - Hybrid Working - Salary DOE
Are you an Experienced PHP and Laravel Developer with an obsession for technology and a passion for exploring AI powered development? Perhaps you've worked with other mature full stack frameworks like Symphony, Ruby on Rails, Next.js, Django or others, and you're excited about how AI is transforming the possibilities of what is possible as we enter a new age of Software Engineering!
We're a midlands-based hybrid team and we meet every week in Birmingham to work together in a collaborative space and share ideas, conduct show-and-tell sessions, training workshops and maybe go out for a pizza. We're a close team, supporting each other as we learn and adapt to a rapidly changing world.
If you are looking for a challenge and a role that will advance, push and build upon your skills within a team that will support, empower and help you grow and learn, then CLICK APPLY!
About Us:
Powered by Retail Success and well established in Birmingham, magic42 excels in delivering web solutions and software applications. We take pride in our commitment to innovation, quality and client satisfaction so our team is at the forefront of technology.
At magic42, we know AI will help us achieve amazing things, and we're excited to be at the forefront of AI adoption as we all learn together and unlock its full potential.
Don’t take our word we’re magic, just check out our Google Customer and GlassDoor reviews!
About the role:
We've built a Laravel powered app that seamlessly integrates eCommerce stores with backend ERP systems. At its core it enables the synchronisation of various elements like Order Management, Products, Fulfilment, Shipping, Payments and so much more.
We didn't stop there. We built an intuitive and user-centric dashboard with Filament that provides a comprehensive view and insights for our clients.
As we continue to evolve this platform, you'll be working at the cutting edge of AI-assisted development. You'll have the opportunity to leverage advanced AI tools - we're currently loving Claude Code - use AI agents to directly edit codebases, implement automated code review processes, and experiment with agentic AI workflows. This isn't just about code completion, you'll be pushing boundaries and discovering creative ways AI can enhance every aspect of our development process. These are exciting times!
What you’ll do:
- Application Development: Write quality, maintainable and scalable code and continue the development of our software application, leveraging AI tools to enhance productivity while maintaining code quality standards
- Integration Development: Create robust integrations tailored to different eCommerce stores and ERP systems, utilising a variety of APIs and exploring how AI can streamline integration processes
- Codebase Maintenance: Play a vital role in maintaining and managing the current codebase, which may involve code refactoring and optimization efforts to enhance system performance and reliability, potentially using automated AI code review processes
- Issue Refinement: Collaborate with the team to refine and prioritise new GitHub issues, ensuring that they align with project goals and integrate them into upcoming sprints
- AI Innovation & Adoption: Actively participate in the exploration and implementation of advanced AI development tools, from AI agents that directly edit codebases to command-line AI workflows, helping the team unlock AI's full potential in our development process
- Mentorship and Guidance: Provide mentorship and guidance to junior team members, supporting their growth and development within the project, including sharing knowledge about AI-assisted development techniques
- Client Support: Address technical questions and issues promptly and effectively
Our culture revolves around our people. We are fully committed to the continuous development of our team members. We invest in official qualifications, in-house and external training, mentoring programmes, and cutting-edge AI development tools. We build bespoke personal development and learning plans and much, much more. We even have a half day per week that is dedicated to learning - including exploring the latest AI technologies and how they can enhance our development processes.
About YOU and your background:
- You have been in a development role for a while and take pride in the code you write
- You have a progressive mindset when you work with tech and people, especially when it comes to embracing AI as a development partner
- You enjoy being a mentor and help upskill more junior developers, sharing your knowledge of both traditional development practices and cutting-edge AI tools
- You are a self-starter who is happy to create the vision, own the delivery and get code shipped, while exploring creative ways to leverage AI throughout the development process
- You have the ability to work quickly and flexibly, while making good technical decisions and knowing when and how to effectively use AI assistance
- You are a natural collaborator who enjoys working with the internal team but also speaking with clients to clarify technical issues
- You are willing to embrace all aspects of working in a growing business from strategic thinking to creating processes and instigating best practices
- You are invested in learning and experimenting with AI tools and you're curious about how AI can be integrated into the development process and motivated to deepen your understanding of advanced features like AI agents, automated workflows, and integration protocols.
Skills and Experience
Essential:
- Solid experience of writing quality maintainable and scalable code
- Practical experience with AI-assisted development tools (such as Claude Code, GitHub Copilot, or similar) and a deep understanding of their limitations and opportunities, going well beyond basic code completion
- Demonstrated ability to leverage AI tools creatively while maintaining code quality and making sound technical decisions in collaboration with AI.
- Knowledge of message queue systems, and API integration techniques
- Excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail
- Proven experience as a PHP developer with a strong focus on Laravel framework (or any other mature full stack framework like Symphony, Ruby on Rails, Next.js, Django, LiveView etc.)
- Full proficiency in PHP and related technologies (MySQL, Linux CLI, Apache, Nginx, or Caddy, etc.)
- Familiarity with front-end technologies such as HTML5, CSS3 (and any CSS frameworks, ie:Tailwind, Bootstrap, etc.), JavaScript (and any JS frameworks)
- Experience with version control systems (preferably Git), and tools like Docker and Docker Compose
- Strong written and verbal communication skills and the ability to work effectively in a collaborative team environment
Desirable Skills (Keen interest in learning and developing in this space)
- Experience with advanced AI development features such as AI agents that can directly edit codebases, automated code review processes, or command-line AI workflows
- Familiarity with integration protocols like MCP (Model Context Protocol) or similar AI enhancement technologies
- eCommerce knowledge and experience
- Experience in web security
- Familiarity with cloud providers such as AWS, Digital Ocean, etc.
- Familiarity with CI/CD technologies and processes
- Linux systems admin exposure or experience / infrastructure / DevOps experience
- Hybrid working - Flexibility to work where you're most productive
- All the Tech and all the Software Tools you'll need to excel - Including access to premium AI development tools like Gemini Code Assist and other cutting-edge technologies
- 33 days holiday with the ability to buy up to 5 more days and additional leave for length of service
- Dedicated learning time within the working week - Including dedicated time to explore and master the latest AI development tools and techniques
- Personal and professional development - Official qualifications, certifications, and specialized AI training opportunities
- Career progression paths and access to online courses and learning platforms, with opportunities to become an AI development leader
- Life insurance and pension (up to 6%)
- Yearly hackathons and bi-weekly workshops - Often focused on AI innovation and exploring new development paradigms
- Regular team outings and social meet ups (every month!)
- Access to wellness applications and mental health support
- AI Innovation Budget - Resources allocated for experimenting with new AI tools and technologies that could benefit the team
Experienced Developer - PHP | Laravel - Hybrid Working - Salary DOE in Birmingham employer: magic42
At magic42, we pride ourselves on being a leading eCommerce development agency in Birmingham, offering a dynamic and collaborative work environment that fosters innovation and personal growth. Our commitment to employee development is evident through our dedicated learning time, access to premium AI tools, and opportunities for career progression, all while enjoying the flexibility of hybrid working. Join us to be part of a trustworthy team that values creativity and professional development, making every day an exciting opportunity to grow and succeed.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Experienced Developer - PHP | Laravel - Hybrid Working - Salary DOE in Birmingham
✨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 magic42 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 magic42.
✨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 magic42.
✨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 magic42 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 Experienced Developer - PHP | Laravel - Hybrid Working - Salary DOE in Birmingham
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 magic42.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at magic42 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 magic42
✨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 magic42 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.
