Backend WordPress Developer (Remote - UK Only)

We’re looking for a skilled and motivated Backend Developer to join our growing team at Zap. This role offers flexible working with core working hours from 10am-6pm. If you thrive in a fast‑paced, collaborative environment and love working on high‑impact digital projects, this role is for you. Zap is a digital design and marketing agency based in Glasgow, Scotland. For over a decade, we’ve been transforming screens into brand showcases for clients across various industries. Our compact but talented team blends creativity and technical expertise to build cutting‑edge digital experiences.

What You’ll Be Doing:

• Building WordPress plugins that power massive eCommerce clients.
• Developing scalable, high‑performance solutions – Our clients operate at scale, generating over £400 million per year cumulatively, with more than 10 orders per second during peak times.
• Researching and implementing innovative ways to improve our backend capabilities across client websites.
• Debugging and optimising functionality for maximum speed, performance, and scalability.
• Writing clean, efficient, and well‑documented code.
• Collaborating with front‑end developers, designers, and project managers to build cohesive digital experiences.
• Liaising with third‑party providers to integrate external applications.
• Staying ahead of industry trends and recommending new tools, technologies, and best practices.
• Providing Out‑of‑Office Emergency Support on a rota basis (6 PM – 9 PM UK Time) – Handling client emergency requests efficiently during assigned support periods.

You’ll be a confident creative with plenty of ideas and the gumption to speak them out. Our nimble team is perfect for someone who enjoys creating their niche and taking initiative. We’re looking for experience, but the capacity to learn quickly and keep on learning is even more valuable. If you’re the type of person who wants to hit the ground running, then you’ll fit in just fine.

Work composition:

• 60% Back End Development
• 30% Testing / Quality Assurance
• 10% Front End Development

What we’re looking for:

• WordPress developer – You’re well‑versed in building and utilising custom plugins, working with WP‑CRON, transients, caching, and query optimisation.
• WooCommerce experience – Proven ability to develop scalable, high‑traffic eCommerce websites.
• Proven experience writing scalable, clean code – You’ve built systems that can handle high order volumes and large‑scale operations without breaking a sweat.
• Strong PHP and JavaScript skills – You know MySQL and REST APIs inside and out.
• Laravel and React experience is a bonus – While not required, familiarity with these frameworks is a plus.
• GIT‑based workflows – Comfortable implementing and working within a version‑controlled environment.
• Efficiency‑focused – You care about speed, user experience, and process improvement.
• Independent and collaborative – Able to take ownership of projects and work efficiently, whether solo or as part of a team.
• Great communicator – Able to clearly articulate ideas, contribute to discussions, and collaborate with both technical and non‑technical stakeholders.

Benefits:

• Salary is competitive, negotiable and depending on experience.
• Company Bonus 10% of salary once company goals are met or at the company’s discretion; has been paid the past 5 years in a row.
• Service Bonus of £1,000 per annum paid into your monthly salary up to 5 years / £5,000.
• We’re a fully remote team, so no 8 am commutes into work.
• Work hard, play hard – we offer a minimum of 39 holidays a year.
• You’ll also get an extra day off for your birthday, so no awkward work birthday parties.
• We have a twice‑a‑year all‑team meeting, which ends in all‑team social.
• We are a Best Place to Work Certified company.
• We supply any remote working tools and equipment you need.
• You’ll also get full private BUPA Healthcare & Dental coverage.
• You will have access to a staff benefits & wellbeing platform.
• We’re a pension‑providing employer.