Full Stack PHP Developer - SmartPath

The Full Stack PHP Developer will oversee, maintain and develop the technology that powers SmartPath.

SmartPath is currently built using PHP, and the successful candidate will take responsibility for understanding and improving the existing codebase, delivering new functionality and ensuring that the platform remains secure, reliable and maintainable.

The role combines full stack software development with technical ownership. You will work closely with internal colleagues, users, external suppliers and other stakeholders to translate organisational and user needs into effective technical solutions., * Maintain, improve and extend SmartPath’s existing PHP codebase.

• Design, build, test and deploy new platform features.
• Develop and maintain front-end functionality using HTML, CSS and JavaScript.
• Improve the platform’s performance, usability, accessibility, security and reliability.
• Integrate SmartPath with third-party systems, services and APIs.
• Take day-to-day ownership of the platform’s codebase, architecture, databases, infrastructure and development environment.
• Identify and address bugs, technical debt, security risks and performance issues.
• Establish and maintain appropriate development, testing, documentation, code-review and release processes.
• Contribute to SmartPath’s technology roadmap and recommend practical technical solutions.
• Use AI-assisted development tools to improve the speed and efficiency of coding, debugging, testing, documentation and technical problem-solving.
• Identify opportunities to automate repetitive development and operational tasks.
• Evaluate and introduce AI tools that can provide clear value to SmartPath.
• Explore, prototype and test AI-enabled features that improve customer support, personalisation, navigation or access to information.
• Ensure that AI-generated code and outputs are reviewed, tested and validated before use.
• Ensure that AI tools are used responsibly, securely and in line with data-protection requirements.
• Work with colleagues and customers to understand needs and translate them into effective technical solutions.
• Use customer feedback and platform data to improve the overall user experience.
• Communicate technical issues, risks, priorities and progress clearly to non-technical stakeholders.
• Work effectively with external developers, hosting providers and technology suppliers where required.

This position would suit an experienced mid-level PHP developer who is comfortable working independently, making pragmatic technical decisions and managing a product across both front-end and back-end development., * Approximately 3-8 years of professional software-development experience, or equivalent demonstrable experience.

• Strong commercial experience developing web applications using PHP.
• Experience maintaining, improving and extending an existing PHP codebase.
• Good knowledge of object-oriented PHP and modern development practices.
• Experience with Composer and PHP dependency management.
• Experience working with relational databases, preferably MySQL or MariaDB.
• Good knowledge of HTML, CSS and JavaScript.
• Experience designing, developing and consuming APIs.
• Experience using Git and structured development workflows.
• Experience deploying, monitoring and maintaining live web applications.
• Experience diagnosing and resolving issues in production systems.
• Practical experience using AI-assisted development tools to improve productivity.
• Ability to review, test and validate AI-generated code and outputs.
• Understanding of the security, privacy and data-protection implications of using AI tools.
• Ability to take ownership of an existing platform and work with limited supervision.
• Ability to balance rapid delivery with quality, security, accessibility and maintainability.
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to explain technical issues clearly to non-technical colleagues.
• A practical, collaborative and customer-focused approach.

Desirable

• Experience with a modern PHP framework such as Laravel, Symfony or CodeIgniter.
• Experience modernising or refactoring an established PHP application.
• Experience integrating generative-AI or large-language-model services through APIs.
• Experience developing AI-enabled customer features such as conversational support, intelligent search, recommendations or workflow automation.
• Experience with automated testing, continuous integration and continuous deployment.
• Experience with cloud hosting services such as AWS, Azure or Google Cloud.
• Experience with Docker, Linux-based hosting or DevOps practices.
• Experience improving digital accessibility in line with WCAG standards.
• Experience taking technical ownership of a product or platform.
• Experience working in a small, growing or purpose-led organisation.

Pulled from the full job description

• Employee mentoring programme
• Employee discount
• Sick pay
• Store discount
• Company pension
• Paid volunteer time
• Private medical insurance, * Company pension
• Cycle to work scheme
• Employee discount
• Employee mentoring programme
• Paid volunteer time
• Private medical insurance
• Sick pay
• Store discount

Application question(s):

• You must be located less than 45 minutes commute from Brentford in West London. Please confirm your home location and approx. travel time.

Work authorisation:

• United Kingdom (required)

SmartPath is a CRM platform to support Local Authorities to track the impact of their Business Support programmes.

We are entering an important stage in SmartPath’s development and are looking for a Full Stack PHP Developer to take ownership of the platform’s technology.

This is a hands-on role for someone who enjoys building practical, user-centred digital products and wants the opportunity to shape the future of a growing platform.

SmartPath is part of Smarter Society, one of the UKs leading Business Support and Grant Administration providers to local and central government.