> Markdown version of [/jobs/ext/2838403-software-developer-online-prize-competitions-exclusive](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/jobs/ext/2838403-software-developer-online-prize-competitions-exclusive). Every page supports `.md` or `Accept: text/markdown`. Links point to the HTML versions so they work for humans too. Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md).

---

# Software Developer - Online Prize Competitions - Exclusive

- **Company:** VanRath
- **Location:** Belfast, UK
- **Salary:** £60,000.0 - £70,000.0
- **Contract:** Permanent contract
- **Skills:** PHP (Programming Language), Amazon Web Services, Application Performance Management, User Authentication, Code Review, Continuous Integration, Database Design, Software Debugging, Middleware, Laravel, MySQL, Model View Controller (MVC), Object-Oriented Software Development, Query Optimization, Standard Sql, Systems Integration, Web Application Frameworks, Software Organization, Tailwind, Caching, Indexer, Backend, Git, Front End Software Development, Restful APIs, Docker
- **Published:** September 11, 2026
- **Apply:** https://www.vanrath.com/job/software-developer-online-prize-competitions-exclusive-bbbh15950-1789038401/apply

## About the Role

The successful candidate will ideally have experience working on high-traffic websites or transactional platforms, with previous experience in the prize competition, gaming, betting, lottery, ecommerce, fintech or similar industries highly desirable.
The Person
*
Strong commercial experience with PHP and modern object-oriented development.
*
Strong hands-on experience with Laravel, including MVC, Eloquent, queues/jobs, events, middleware, authentication and caching.
*
Excellent MySQL / SQL skills, including database design, indexing, query optimisation and transactions.
*
Proven experience developing and supporting high-traffic, high-volume or transactional websites/applications.
*
Strong Full Stack development experience across backend and frontend technologies.
*
Experience developing and integrating REST APIs and third-party services.
*
Strong understanding of application performance, scalability and optimisation.
*
Experience with Git, code reviews, testing and software development best practices.
*
Strong debugging and problem-solving skills, including experience resolving production issues.
*
Experience with Tailwind CSS, Livewire and/or Alpine.js would be highly desirable.
*
Experience with Docker, CI/CD, AWS/cloud platforms, caching or background processing would be advantageous.
*
Previous experience within online competitions, gaming, betting, lottery, ecommerce, payments or other high-volume consumer platforms would be highly desirable.
*
Strong communication skills with the ability to work effectively with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
*
A hands-on approach with the ability to take ownership of technical solutions from design through to deployment.

## Description

My client, a growing online prize competition business, is hiring a Software Developer to join their existing technology team in Northern Ireland. This is a key position within the development team, working on a high-traffic, customer-facing platform and helping to develop new features while improving the scalability, performance and reliability of the existing application., As a Software Developer, you will design, develop and maintain scalable web applications using PHP, Laravel and MySQL. You will work across both backend and frontend development, building new functionality, optimising existing systems and helping ensure the platform can continue to scale as traffic and transaction volumes increase.


## Related Videos

- [How a Small Team Shrank a Microsoft Monorepo by 94%](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1236-how-a-small-team-shrank-a-microsoft-monorepo-by-94)
- [MySQL Protocol Features You Should Be Aware Of](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100267-mysql-protocol-features-you-should-be-aware-of)
- [Docker Compose: Rediscovered](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1978-docker-compose-rediscovered)
- [Navigating the Corporate Jungle: Life as a Developer in a large Company](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/621-navigating-the-corporate-jungle-life-as-a-developer-in-a-large-company)
- [Branch your database like your code:  How schema changes and pull requests go hand in hand](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/350-branch-your-database-like-your-code-how-schema-changes-and-pull-requests-go-hand-in-hand)
- [Git for Code Reviews](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/429-git-for-code-reviews)

## Related Articles

- [Find a Developer Job: 12 Best Job Sites For Developers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/165-find-a-developer-job-12-best-job-sites-for-developers)
- [Fully Remote Software Engineer Jobs](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/447-fully-remote-software-engineer-jobs)
- [Dev Digest 121 - AI goes offline](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/456-dev-digest-121-ai-goes-offline)
- [Dev Digest 120 - Apple and peers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/455-dev-digest-120-apple-and-peers)
- [Is Software Engineering Over-Saturated?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/418-is-software-engineering-over-saturated)
- [Where to Find Entry-Level Software Engineering Jobs](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/397-where-to-find-entry-level-software-engineering-jobs)