At a Glance
- Tasks: Develop and improve PHP applications while diving into exciting Python projects.
- Company: Join Octopus Legacy, a fast-growing tech company transforming the industry.
- Benefits: Enjoy 27 days holiday, health insurance, and work-from-anywhere options.
- Other info: Collaborative team culture with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on meaningful products that support people through loss.
- Qualifications: Strong PHP skills, familiarity with Python, and a passion for problem-solving.
The predicted salary is between 28800 - 48000 £ per year.
The Company
We are Octopus Legacy: one of the fastest-growing tech companies in the country, and part of the UK's most exciting and best-trusted group. We have a mission. We are on a path to scale - aiming to become a household name while transforming a long-established industry and helping individuals and organisations prepare for, and find support after, death. But we can't do it alone. That’s why we’re building a team of self-starters, problem-solvers and people who bring energy to everything they do. Ready to be part of something big?
The Role
We are looking for a Software Engineer skilled in PHP and familiar with Python, ready to make a real impact. You will split your time between maintaining and improving our existing PHP/Laravel codebases - powering products like our website, Life Insurance offering, and internal tools - and contributing to newer Python-based projects as our tech stack evolves. You will code across the full stack, shipping real improvements that users notice, keeping our platforms healthy, secure, and performant. You will own the backlog of impactful changes that elevate our products and delight users, while also growing into Python projects and expanding your skillset. This is a role full of variety and opportunity - every week brings new challenges, and your work will directly impact our customers.
Key Responsibilities
- Maintain and improve existing PHP/Laravel applications - bug fixes, enhancements, performance improvements, and application-level security.
- Build and contribute to Python projects - new services, internal tooling, and integrations as our tech stack evolves.
- Support platform security and compliance initiatives - pen testing remediation, dependency updates, and infrastructure hardening.
- Troubleshoot and resolve production issues - investigate bugs, diagnose root causes, and ship fixes confidently.
- Collaborate with the wider engineering team - participate in code reviews, sprint ceremonies, and contribute to engineering standards and best practices.
- Own small-to-medium projects end-to-end, delivering meaningful improvements across our tools and products.
Who Are You?
- Strong experience with PHP, ideally within the Laravel framework.
- Comfortable working with Python - whether in scripting, APIs, data processing, or frameworks like Django or FastAPI.
- Solid understanding of relational databases (PostgreSQL) and writing efficient queries.
- Experienced with version control (Git) and collaborative development workflows.
- Able to work independently, prioritise effectively, and ship reliably.
- Clear communicator who can explain technical decisions to non-technical stakeholders.
Bonus points
- Understanding of event-driven architectures and messaging systems.
- Experience with front-end technologies (JavaScript/TypeScript, Vue or React).
- Familiarity with CI/CD pipelines, automated testing, and deployment processes.
- Interest in or experience with AI/LLM integration.
Why You’ll Love It Here
This role is a stepping stone into Python development, giving you the chance to expand your skills in modern frameworks and integrations, and to apply AI and LLMs for real-world impact. You will have significant ownership - your work will directly impact our products, customers, and internal operations. We are a growing, collaborative team - you will learn from experienced engineers, shape engineering practices, and contribute to the evolution of our tech stack. Every day you will be building meaningful products that make a difference.
Our Mission
Octopus Legacy is the place to plan for death and find support after loss. When people think about planning for death they think about wills, life insurance and funerals. We take these cold processes and turn them into something more human. Share more than money: leave voice notes, music, recipes. Shape a legacy that connects you while you’re here. And after you’re gone. Founded by Sam after his mum died suddenly, we’re a group of people who work in death because we’ve been affected by it. We know the difference a good plan makes, and what it’s like when there isn’t one. Death can come between us, leaving mess, legal fees, frustration. But it can also make us stronger. We see a world where people talk openly about death, and work out the real meaning of legacy, one that connects to them. We’re here to make that world happen.
Benefits
- Octopus share incentive scheme
- 27 days holiday + extra day off for your Birthday
- Work from anywhere in the world for up to 4 weeks per year
- Vitality Health & Life Insurance
- Pension scheme
- Enhanced parental leave
- Free Will & LPAs + discounts on other Octopus services
- Cycle to Work Scheme and EV Salary Sacrifice Scheme
- Octopus Giving: matched charitable fundraising up to £500
- Octopus Springboard: support to build your own ideas
- Dog-friendly office
- Breakfast every day, snacks and wellness activities
We know that to be truly innovative, we need to have a diverse team around us. That is why Octopus Legacy is committed to creating an inclusive environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.
PHP/Python Software Engineer in London employer: Octopus Legacy
At Octopus Legacy, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that values empathy and compassion in our work culture. Our Mobile Will & Estate Planning Consultants enjoy flexible working arrangements, comprehensive training, and opportunities for personal growth while making a meaningful impact in clients' lives across England. Join us to be part of a supportive team that prioritises your development and well-being as you help others navigate their estate planning needs.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land PHP/Python Software Engineer in London
✨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 Octopus Legacy 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 Octopus Legacy.
✨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 Octopus Legacy.
✨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 Octopus Legacy 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/Python Software Engineer in London
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 Octopus Legacy.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Octopus Legacy 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 Octopus Legacy
✨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 Octopus Legacy 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.
