PHP Developer

About The Company Tate is a reputable and innovative organization dedicated to delivering high-quality software solutions across various industries. Known for its commitment to excellence, Tate leverages cutting-edge technologies and fosters a collaborative environment that encourages continuous learning and professional growth. With a focus on sustainable development and customer satisfaction, the company maintains a strong market presence and a forward-thinking approach to technological advancement. Employees at Tate enjoy a dynamic workplace culture that values diversity, inclusion, and the pursuit of excellence in all endeavors. About The Role We are seeking a highly skilled Senior PHP Developer to join our engineering team on a hybrid working basis in Hertfordshire, with two days per week in the office. This is a permanent position designed for a motivated individual who thrives in a hands-on environment and enjoys working with vanilla PHP. The successful candidate will take ownership of backend feature development, technical improvements, and complex problem solving across a large-scale web platform. This role offers an exciting opportunity to work within a collaborative team of experienced developers, contributing to the evolution of our core systems and ensuring the scalability, security, and performance of our applications. Qualifications The ideal candidate will possess a strong background in PHP development, with a focus on full-stack capabilities and backend expertise. Experience working with vanilla PHP versions 7 and 8 is essential, along with a solid understanding of web application architecture. Proficiency in MySQL or MariaDB is required, as well as experience designing and consuming APIs. Candidates should have a good understanding of web performance optimization, scalability, and security best practices. Familiarity with JavaScript, HTML, and CSS is also important. Additionally, experience with version control systems, AI-assisted development tools such as GitHub Copilot or Claude, and the ability to work independently are highly desirable. Candidates should demonstrate excellent problem-solving skills, strong communication abilities, and a proactive approach to technical challenges. Responsibilities Develop and enhance new platform features and functionalities, ensuring they meet business requirements and technical standards.Write clean, scalable, and maintainable PHP code that aligns with best practices and project guidelines.Own technical solutions from initial design through to deployment, providing technical leadership and accountability.Refactor and improve existing functionalities to optimize performance and maintainability.Design, develop, and consume APIs to facilitate seamless integration between systems.Perform performance tuning and database optimization to ensure high efficiency and responsiveness.Participate in code reviews and contribute to the establishment of engineering best practices.Support complex third-line technical issues, providing expert-level troubleshooting and resolution.Collaborate closely with testers, developers, and business stakeholders to deliver high-quality solutions.Identify opportunities for tooling, process improvements, and platform performance enhancements. Benefits At Tate, we value our employees and offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your professional and personal growth. You will have access to modern AI tooling and be encouraged to contribute ideas on how AI can enhance productivity and innovation within the team. Our flexible hybrid working model provides a healthy work-life balance, with two days per week in the office and the flexibility to work remotely. We promote a collaborative and inclusive work environment, offering opportunities for continuous learning, professional development, and career progression. Additionally, employees benefit from competitive compensation, health and wellness programs, and a supportive company culture focused on innovation and excellence. Equal Opportunity Tate is committed to promoting equal opportunities and fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. We believe that a diverse team enhances our creativity, innovation, and overall success. We encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply and are dedicated to making reasonable adjustments during the application and interview process to ensure accessibility for everyone. Your individuality and unique perspectives are valued, and we invite you to share your preferred pronouns in your application. Our goal is to create an environment where all employees feel respected, supported, and empowered to succeed.