At a Glance
- Tasks: Develop and support digital products using modern PHP in a collaborative team.
- Company: Join a growing digital team that values creativity and teamwork.
- Benefits: Enjoy a 4.5-day work week, hybrid working, and a generous training budget.
- Other info: Friendly environment with excellent career growth and opportunities to learn.
- Why this job: Make a real impact while mentoring others and shaping innovative projects.
- Qualifications: Strong PHP experience and a passion for clean code and collaboration.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 £ per year.
We're looking for a Senior PHP Developer to join a growing digital team, working across a mix of existing client projects and brand-new, greenfield builds. This is a role for someone who enjoys getting properly stuck in, contributing ideas, solving real problems, and building solid, well-thought-out solutions alongside a small, collaborative development team. You'll also play a key role in mentoring other members of the dev team, helping less experienced developers grow. If you're comfortable in modern PHP, enjoy variety in your work, and like the idea of having a genuine say in what gets built and how, you'll feel at home here.
What you'll be doing:
- Developing new features and products using modern PHP and MVC frameworks
- Working on greenfield builds as well as supporting and improving existing client projects
- Building bespoke web APIs to be consumed by frontend applications
- Mentoring other members of the dev team, sharing knowledge and supporting their development
- Triaging helpdesk tickets and supporting clients with issues or requests for work
- Getting involved in in-house hack projects that help shape the future direction of the business
- Collaborating with designers, developers and stakeholders to deliver clean, scalable solutions
Why you'll be a great fit:
You're a Senior PHP Developer who enjoys writing clean code, learning new things, and being part of a team that values collaboration over ego.
What you'll bring:
- Strong experience working with modern PHP (PHP 8+)
- Hands-on experience with at least one PHP MVC framework (we use Laminas, but Laravel, Symfony, etc. are all relevant)
- A solid understanding of object-oriented principles
- Experience building and consuming JSON-based RESTful APIs
- Confident use of Composer and Git
- Experience mentoring or supporting other developers
- A proactive mindset and willingness to get involved across projects
Nice to have, but not essential:
- AWS experience, or a genuine willingness to learn
- Experience using Docker
- Full-stack skills (React.js, CSS)
- An interest in SysAdmin / DevOps, Kubernetes and infrastructure work is part of the wider environment
You'll need to be UK-based. This is a hybrid role with 2 days a week in the office in Portsmouth, plus occasional client meetings and in-person team days.
What's in it for you:
You'll be joining a genuinely supportive, friendly team where ideas are welcomed, and people are trusted to do their job well. On top of that, you'll get:
- 4.5-day working week (yes, Friday afternoons off)
- Hybrid working - 2 days a week in the office in Portsmouth
- £1,200 annual conference & training budget
- Top quality equipment
- Christmas period off
- Your birthday off
Salary: £55,000 - £65,000
Senior Backend Developer in London employer: RENLO RECRUITMENT LTD
Join our dynamic digital team as a Senior PHP Developer, where you'll thrive in a collaborative environment that values innovation and problem-solving. We offer competitive benefits, a strong focus on employee growth through mentorship opportunities, and the chance to work on exciting greenfield projects that make a real impact. Located in a vibrant area, our workplace fosters creativity and teamwork, making it an excellent employer for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Backend Developer 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 RENLO RECRUITMENT LTD 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 RENLO RECRUITMENT LTD.
✨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 RENLO RECRUITMENT LTD.
✨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 RENLO RECRUITMENT LTD 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 Senior Backend Developer 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 RENLO RECRUITMENT LTD.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at RENLO RECRUITMENT LTD 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 RENLO RECRUITMENT LTD
✨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 RENLO RECRUITMENT LTD 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.
