Senior PHP Developer

Company Description App Inlet is a dynamic mobile and internet technology company specialising in professional app and web development. Our highly qualified team of business analysts, architects, programmers, developers, and designers work together to deliver top-quality services efficiently and cost-effectively. We offer tailor‑made solutions, including websites, apps, web maintenance, and site upgrades, with expertise in various technologies such as PHP, Flutter, Laravel, and more. Our focus is on building long‑lasting relationships with clients through reliable support and tailored solutions that evolve with their business needs. We are looking for a seasoned leader to drive technical excellence and mentor our development team as we scale our operations. Role Description This is a full‑time hybrid role for a Senior PHP Developer / Team Lead based in the City of Cape Town, with work‑from‑home flexibility. This role is a critical position that combines hands‑on technical mastery with team leadership and architectural oversight . The Senior Developer / Team Lead will be responsible for: Architectural Design & Strategy: Leading the technical design, planning, and implementation of highly scalable, efficient, and secure applications. This includes defining best practices, code standards, and the overall software development lifecycle (SDLC). Team Leadership & Mentorship: Mentoring developers, conducting code reviews, and fostering a collaborative, high‑performance team environment. Act as a technical subject matter expert for the team. Hands‑On Development: Taking ownership of complex features, performing advanced back‑end web development, expert‑level object‑oriented programming (OOP), and ensuring system performance and reliability. Project Ownership: Collaborating closely with Business Analysts and Product Owners to estimate tasks, define requirements, and ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to the highest quality standard. Technical Roadmapping: Researching and recommending new technologies, tools, and processes to improve development efficiency and product quality. Cross‑Functional Collaboration: Working directly with clients, designers, and cross‑functional teams to translate complex business requirements into robust technical solutions. Qualifications To excel in this Senior/Lead role, candidates should demonstrate deep technical expertise and proven leadership ability: Technical Mastery (Required) Extensive Proficiency in Back‑End Web Development and Object‑Oriented Programming (OOP) , with a deep understanding of design patterns (e.g., MVC, Repository, Factory). 5+ years of professional experience in software development, with a significant focus on PHP. Expert‑level knowledge and practical experience with Laravel . Proven ability to design and implement RESTful APIs and microservices architecture. Experience with relational and NoSQL databases (e.g., MySQL, PostgreSQL, Redis), including advanced query optimisation and database scaling. Strong understanding of security principles (e.g., OWASP Top 10) and performance tuning. Proficiency in modern Front‑End Development concepts (e.g., state management, build tools) and frameworks (e.g., React, Vue, or a deep understanding of Flutter integration). Leadership & Soft Skills (Essential) Demonstrated experience in leading a development team or taking a technical leadership role on significant projects. Exceptional problem‑solving and analytical abilities with a proactive approach to anticipating technical challenges. Excellent written and verbal communication skills for technical discussions, documentation, and client interactions. Proven ability to mentor, coach, and elevate the technical skills of team members. Experience with CI/CD pipelines, Git flow, and modern DevOps practices is highly desirable. Highly Desirable Experience Experience with Flutter for cross‑platform mobile development. Familiarity with cloud platforms such as AWS. Experience with TDD (Test‑Driven Development) and building comprehensive unit and integration tests. #J-18808-Ljbffr