Mid–Senior Backend (PHP) Developer
Outstaff Hiring: Remote – Contract
About the Role:
We’re hiring an experienced Backend PHP Developer to support the ongoing development and optimization of internal systems powering a busy e-commerce and production operation. This is a remote contract role, with the potential for long-term collaboration.
Important Note:
We work strictly with pure PHP, not modern frameworks like Laravel. Please only apply if you are confident working without frameworks. Our stack includes heavily customized legacy code (Zend Framework 1.2 and custom PHP).
Start Date: Ideally in May
About the Project:
We manage and develop three core systems that run entirely in-house:
- Webshop – PHP 7.4, Zend Framework 1.2, MySQL
- Prepress System – PHP 7.2, custom PHP/JavaScript, MySQL
Production System – PHP 7.2, MySQL, Electron/Chromium-based interface
All systems are hosted on Linux/Ubuntu VMs and are actively maintained and extended by our team.
Your Responsibilities:
- Develop and maintain backend functionality across our three systems
- Optimize legacy PHP code for performance and reliability
- Collaborate with the project team to ensure smooth technical integration
- Troubleshoot and debug issues as needed
Follow best practices for clean, secure, and efficient code
What We’re Looking For:
- 4+ years of backend PHP experience (no frameworks)
- Strong MySQL knowledge and query optimization
- Confident working with legacy code (Zend Framework or similar)
- Experience with REST APIs, Git, and Linux-based environments
- Excellent problem-solving and communication skills
Fluent in English (written and spoken)
Nice to Have:
- Background in e-commerce or webshop development
- Familiarity with Electron.js or Chromium-based desktop apps
- Understanding of frontend tech (Vue.js, React, etc.)
Experience with cloud environments (AWS, DigitalOcean, etc.)
Interview Process:
Selected candidates will have a two-round interview. The second round is a deep technical session reviewing our codebase and discussing system architecture. We use this step to ensure a strong technical match.