Senior PHP Software Engineer

Join Scrums.com to work on robust, high performance systems for a leading client, using core PHP without heavy framework abstraction, ideal for a developer who enjoys deep control over architecture.A senior, high ownership role with direct exposure to API integrations and payments adjacent systems, working across the full stack.Hybrid based in Cape Town or Johannesburg.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and maintain applications using core PHP (framework light or vanilla PHP architecture).
• Work across both front end and back end, contributing to full feature delivery.
• Build and integrate REST APIs with internal and third party systems.
• Manage and optimise MySQL database design, queries, and performance.
• Deploy and manage infrastructure and workloads on AWS.
• Collaborate closely with cross functional teams including product, QA, and other engineers.
• Contribute to code quality through reviews, testing, and adherence to best practice, including modernising legacy code where needed.

Experience and education

• Minimum 6 years of professional experience in PHP, with strong core/vanilla PHP fundamentals (not framework dependent).
• Solid MySQL database skills, including schema design and query optimisation.
• Hands on experience with AWS services in a production environment.
• Demonstrated front end and back end experience (full stack capability).
• Experience building and consuming REST API integrations.
• Comfortable working with legacy or custom built PHP systems.
• Payments industry experience is a strong advantage, though not essential.
• Strong communication skills and comfort working in a client facing, distributed team environment.