PHP Developer Job Description
Use this PHP Developer template to create a clear, role-specific advert that attracts back-end specialists familiar with modern PHP frameworks, SQL databases and API-driven systems. The template focuses on practical responsibilities, realistic essential criteria and sensible candidate questions employers should answer up front.
What does a PHP Developer professional do?
A developer who builds and maintains server-side web applications and APIs using PHP and related tooling.
PHP Developer job description template
Use this employer-ready example as a starting point, then replace the placeholders and adjust the content so it accurately reflects your vacancy.
PHP Developer
About the role
[Company Name] is looking for a PHP Developer to join our engineering team in [Location]. You will design, build and maintain backend services, integrate with databases and third-party APIs, and contribute to code reviews and testing. This role suits someone with proven PHP experience, familiarity with a major MVC framework and working knowledge of SQL and version control. [Salary or salary range] • [Benefits].
Key responsibilities
- Design, implement and maintain PHP-based backend features and APIs according to product requirements.
- Write clean, testable, and maintainable code using established coding standards and dependency management (Composer).
- Integrate applications with relational databases; write and optimise SQL queries and migrations.
- Participate in code reviews, provide constructive feedback and help enforce best practices.
- Debug, profile and optimise application performance and reliability in production and staging environments.
- Collaborate with front-end developers, QA and product owners to deliver features on schedule.
- Create and maintain automated tests (unit/integration) and contribute to CI/CD pipelines.
- Document services, interfaces and deployment/runbook notes for the team.
Essential skills and experience
- Proven experience building server-side applications using PHP in a production environment.
- Working knowledge of an MVC framework such as Laravel, Symfony, CodeIgniter or similar.
- Comfortable designing and querying relational databases (SQL) and understanding schema design principles.
- Familiarity with Git and collaborative development workflows (branches, pull requests, code review).
- Experience building and consuming RESTful APIs and handling authentication/authorisation concerns.
- Clear communication skills and ability to work within a small engineering team.
Desirable
- Experience with containerisation (Docker) and/or cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP).
- Knowledge of automated testing tools (PHPUnit, integration testing) and TDD practices.
- Familiarity with CI/CD tools (GitHub Actions, GitLab CI, Jenkins) and deployment automation.
- Experience with caching strategies (Redis, Varnish) and performance tuning.
- Some front-end experience (HTML/CSS/JavaScript) or working with single-page applications is useful.
- Contributions to open-source projects, technical blogs or a public code portfolio.
What we offer
- [Competitive salary – insert range or band]
- [Pension contribution or scheme details]
- [Annual leave entitlement – e.g. XX days plus bank holidays]
- [Hybrid or remote working arrangement – specify days]
- [Training budget / professional development allowance]
- [Private healthcare or other insurance – if offered]
How to apply
Apply with your CV and any additional information requested. Make the interview process, closing date and any assessment stages clear where known.
Use this as a starting point rather than a final advert. The strongest version will reflect the real role, salary, location, systems, responsibilities, benefits and working arrangements.
What is a PHP Developer role?
A PHP Developer builds and maintains server-side components of web applications using PHP and associated tools. They translate product requirements into reliable backend services, design and optimise database interactions, and ensure systems are tested and deployable. The role involves collaborating with front-end engineers, product teams and QA to deliver features and to maintain performance and security of production systems.
Core focus
Back-end development, APIs, database design, and application performance.
Team fit
Works closely with product, front-end developers and QA; often part of small cross-functional squads.
Working pattern
Commonly offered as permanent/hybrid roles; contract or freelance engagements are also frequent in the market.
Typical PHP Developer responsibilities
Responsibilities should reflect the real scope of the vacancy rather than every task someone in this profession might ever complete.
Design
Design, implement and maintain PHP-based backend features and APIs according to product requirements.
Write clean
Write clean, testable, and maintainable code using established coding standards and dependency management (Composer).
Integrate applications with relational databases;
Integrate applications with relational databases; write and optimise SQL queries and migrations.
Participate in code reviews
Participate in code reviews, provide constructive feedback and help enforce best practices.
Debug
Debug, profile and optimise application performance and reliability in production and staging environments.
Collaborate with front-end developers
Collaborate with front-end developers, QA and product owners to deliver features on schedule.
Create
Create and maintain automated tests (unit/integration) and contribute to CI/CD pipelines.
Document services
Document services, interfaces and deployment/runbook notes for the team.
PHP Developer skills and experience to look for
Keep the essential list focused on what the person really needs to perform the role. Move useful-but-trainable experience into desirable criteria.
Usually worth prioritising
- Proven experience building server-side applications using PHP in a production environment.
- Working knowledge of an MVC framework such as Laravel, Symfony, CodeIgniter or similar.
- Comfortable designing and querying relational databases (SQL) and understanding schema design principles.
- Familiarity with Git and collaborative development workflows (branches, pull requests, code review).
- Experience building and consuming RESTful APIs and handling authentication/authorisation concerns.
- Clear communication skills and ability to work within a small engineering team.
Useful where relevant
- Experience with containerisation (Docker) and/or cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP).
- Knowledge of automated testing tools (PHPUnit, integration testing) and TDD practices.
- Familiarity with CI/CD tools (GitHub Actions, GitLab CI, Jenkins) and deployment automation.
- Experience with caching strategies (Redis, Varnish) and performance tuning.
- Some front-end experience (HTML/CSS/JavaScript) or working with single-page applications is useful.
- Contributions to open-source projects, technical blogs or a public code portfolio.
See our guide to what to include in a job advert before publishing.
How to write a PHP Developer job advert
Small role-specific details can make the advert much easier for suitable candidates to assess.
Be explicit about the tech stack
List the PHP framework(s), database(s), testing tools and key third-party services you use so candidates can self-assess fit.
Describe responsibilities, not tasks
Explain outcomes you expect (e.g. improve API latency, reduce technical debt) rather than a long checklist of generic tasks.
Set level and scope clearly
State whether this is junior, mid or senior and whether the role includes system architecture, mentoring or delivery ownership.
Be transparent on flexibility
Specify remote/hybrid expectations, core hours and on-call or out-of-hours duties to avoid mismatched applicants.
Mention career and learning opportunities
Candidates value structured development paths, training budgets and real examples of progression within the team.
PHP Developer salary considerations
PHP developer pay varies widely depending on experience, specialisms and the employer. Rather than a single figure, consider the factors below when setting a salary range and grading the role.
depending on experience
- Use a genuine range
- Separate variable pay
- Avoid “competitive” alone
- Match salary to seniority
What PHP Developer candidates will want to know
Practical details can influence whether a suitable candidate applies, even when the title and salary are attractive.
What tech stack and frameworks does the team use?
Candidates want to know the specific PHP framework, database, testing and deployment tools to judge fit and interest.
Is the role remote, hybrid or office-based?
Clarify expectations on where work happens, core hours and any required on-site presence for collaboration or meetings.
What is the day-to-day responsibility and scope?
Experienced applicants want to know whether they'll be focused on feature work, maintenance, platform architecture or leading others.
Are there on-call duties or support expectations?
State if the role includes out-of-hours support, rotation frequency and any compensation or time-off arrangements.
What training or career development is available?
Developers look for budgets for courses, conference attendance, mentorship and clear progression paths.
Who will I report to and how large is the engineering team?
Candidates want context about team size, managerial structure and how decisions are made.
Where to post a PHP Developer job
For PHP Developer roles, target technology-focused job boards and professional networks where developers search for technical vacancies. Use specialist channels such as developer communities, GitHub or Stack Overflow job pages and LinkedIn for passive search, while local tech meetup boards and university alumni networks can help fill junior or early-career positions. Consider combining broad UK job boards with niche channels to reach both volume and quality candidates.
Related technology / software development job descriptions
Recruiting for a slightly different role? These templates may be a closer fit.
PHP Developer job description FAQs
How long should a PHP Developer advert be?
Aim for a concise advert of 300–600 words: include a short overview, core responsibilities, essential skills and a clear list of benefits and working arrangements. Keep technical details specific but avoid overwhelming lists.
Should I include a required number of years' experience?
You can indicate level (junior/mid/senior) and typical experience as a guide, but focus on demonstrable skills and past project types rather than an arbitrary year count.
Do I need to list every technology used?
List the primary technologies and frameworks candidates will use day-to-day. Secondary or preferred tools can be listed as desirable to avoid deterring otherwise suitable applicants.
What is the best way to assess PHP developer candidates?
Use a combination of a short technical screening (code review, take-home task or pair-programming session), a discussion of past projects and cultural/team fit interviews. Ensure tasks reflect real work the candidate would do.
Is a coding test necessary?
Coding tests help verify practical skills but should be time-boxed and relevant. Offer paid or low-effort assessments and provide clear instructions and realistic tasks to avoid excluding strong candidates.
Ready to publish your PHP Developer role?
Use the copy above to create a job advert, or customise the template to match your tech stack and benefits. If you need broader reach, consider combining specialist tech channels with mainstream UK job boards to attract both active and passive candidates.
