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PHP Developer Job Description Template

Struggling to hire PHP developers?

Hiring PHP developers is a challenge. Use this job description template to help you attract top PHP talent faster. Want to skip the hassle of recruiting on your own?

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PHP Developer Job Description Template

Companies of all sizes use PHP for web development, which means there’s tough competition to hire skilled PHP developers.

The key is setting your organization apart from the crowd. Attract the top PHP talent with a clear and compelling job description.

For the past decade, we’ve selected only the top 1% of candidates from the more than 1 million job applications we receive every year. Using this extensive recruitment experience, we’ve created a concise PHP developer job description template to help you secure your next developer.

In this guide, we’ll cover several sections, including company description, PHP developer responsibilities, technical requirements, job benefits, and different ways you can hire PHP developers.

NOTE: The examples we provide below are targeted toward hiring mid to senior-level PHP developers.

Your Company Description

A successful job post includes a strong company description. Employees want to envision how they will contribute to the company’s mission and growth. Share the company's vision, values, and culture, making sure to include any career-growth opportunities as well.

Example

BairesDev is an award-winning software development outsourcing company. Our mission? To provide world-class technology solutions to Fortune 500 companies and startups alike.

Since 2009 we’ve been committed to only hiring the top 1% of tech talent in LATAM. As a remote-first company, we offer candidates flexibility and a greater work-life balance.

Interested in joining our team? We encourage diverse candidates from all backgrounds and experiences to apply.

Job Description: An Overview

The job description should give a detailed yet concise overview for the PHP developer role. Applicants should be able to grasp the essence of the role and its requirements. Include a brief summary, outlining the key expectations, projects, or responsibilities.

Example

We’re looking for a senior full-stack PHP developer to build a cutting-edge web application for Product Information Management (PIM). You’ll collaborate with both management and product owners, taking the lead on technical projects and sharing the software requirements. Your focus will include the design, development, and integration of the application with our APIs and back-end infrastructure, making you a key asset in paving the way for our innovative solution.

Pro tip: Make the job description as specific as possible. Are you seeking a specialist in front-end development or a versatile full-stack developer? Stand out by emphasizing any unique characteristics or projects. Let the candidate envision contributing to your company’s mission and goals.

PHP Developer Responsibilities

In this section of the job description, break down the key tasks and responsibilities of the role. This works best as a bulleted list. Be specific about your technical requirements to attract the right type of candidates.

Example

Your day-to-day responsibilities:

Full-Stack Development: Take the lead with the creation and upkeep of server-side components for seamless integration. Collaborate to craft user-facing elements that will contribute to a cohesive and responsive user interface.
Database: Integrate data from various back-end services and databases using MySQL and other data storage solutions.
Documentation: Ensure comprehensive documentation of code, APIs, and any other project-related materials. Generate detailed reports on features and updates.
Testing: Conduct thorough testing of applications. Identify and fix defects, addressing bugs and performance issues to maintain a reliable and efficient codebase.

Cross-functional collaboration:

Collaborate with front-end and back-end developers, data scientists, and product developers to seamlessly integrate PHP applications with additional components.
Participate in code reviews to provide and receive constructive feedback.
Collaborate with project managers and stakeholders to deliver projects within agreed timelines and specifications. Actively share ideas to help grow and improve the application.
Brainstorm and discuss user interface ideas with UX/UI designers as the rest of the development team. Work with the customer success team to enhance the user interface and functionality, turning user feedback into new features.

PHP Developer Technical Requirements

Specifying technical requirements is crucial for hiring the right PHP developer. Below is a list of criteria that mid-level PHP developers should meet. Your list may vary based on your company's needs, so be precise and include only the applicable requirements for the role.

Example

The ideal candidate will need the following technical skills:

Proficiency in PHP: Deep understanding of PHP programming, including familiarity with its syntax and features.
Experience with PHP Web Frameworks: Knowledge of at least one popular PHP framework like Laravel, Symfony, CodeIgniter, or Zend Framework.
Front-end Technologies: Familiarity with front-end technologies such as HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript, and front-end frameworks like React, Angular, or Vue.js.
Database Management: Proficiency in database management and experience working with SQL databases such as MySQL, PostgreSQL, or Oracle. Understanding of NoSQL databases like MongoDB is a plus.
Object-Oriented Programming (OOP): Strong grasp of OOP concepts and their implementation in PHP.
API Development: Experience in developing and integrating RESTful APIs.
Version Control Systems: Proficiency with version control tools, especially Git.
Web Security Knowledge: Understanding of web security practices and how to safeguard applications against common security threats like SQL injection, XSS (Cross-Site Scripting), and CSRF (Cross-Site Request Forgery).
Understanding of AJAX: Knowledge of using AJAX in PHP for creating dynamic content.
Back-End Development Tools: Familiarity with back-end development tools and environments, including web servers like Apache or Nginx.

PHP Developers: Ideal Experience, Background, and Soft Skills

The candidate’s soft skills, background, and experience are also important for the position. Outline them in this section.

Example

We're looking for a professional with a growth mindset:

Education: A Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Science, Computer Engineering, or a related field. Candidates with significant hands-on experience will also be considered.
Experience: 5+ years experience of PHP development, with 3+ years in a senior role, including leading or mentoring junior developers.
English Proficiency: You have an excellent command of written and spoken English. You can effectively communicate and collaborate with team members.

Interpersonal skills:

Passion for Modern Software Development: You’re highly interested in modern software development practices. You stay up-to-date with the latest trends and technologies.
Growth Mindset: You enjoy a good challenge and love flexing your creative problem-solving skills. You come to work with ideas because you want to make a direct impact on the business's growth.
Team Player: Although you're happy working independently, you thrive in a team. You proactively engage with designers, product managers, and key stakeholders, and you're eager to support your junior colleagues. You're confident in both giving and receiving feedback, understanding it's the key to growth.

Attractive Job Benefits for PHP Developers

To help your PHP job role stand out from the crowd, it’s key to include a job benefits section. With the tough competition to hire PHP developers, make sure to put the company’s culture on full display. Highlight the key perks, especially the financial and non-financial benefits.

Below is a comprehensive list of potential benefits. Choose 5-6 relevant benefits that will attract top-tier developers to your organization. Of course, this section will be different for every company depending on what you can offer.

Example

Professional Development:

Allowance for PHP courses, certifications, and in-house training.
Paid subscription to learning platforms (e.g., Pluralsight, Egghead).
Tuition reimbursement for advanced degrees or related courses.
Opportunities to attend/speak at tech conferences and meetups.
Dedicated time for open-source contributions and personal PHP projects.

Work Environment & Flexibility:

Flexible working hours.
Remote work setup stipend (e.g., ergonomic chairs, monitors).
Casual dress code, especially for remote work.
Hardware and software stipends, including top-tier machines and the latest licenses (e.g., IDEs).
A choice between co-working spaces or home office setups for remote workers.
"No meetings” days, ensuring uninterrupted coding sessions.

Team Collaboration & Growth:

Collaborate with and learn from senior PHP developers.
Leading exciting projects and adopting mentorship roles.
Team events, like monthly hackathons.
Company-wide recognition for innovative solutions and coding excellence.
Weekly peer review sessions to ensure code quality and continuous learning.
Dedicated "innovation days" where developers can work on any creative project they choose.

Wellness & Work-Life Balance:

Unlimited paid time off OR 10 paid vacation days per year.
Employee discounts on tech gadgets and software.
Mental health days.
Fitness stipend or gym membership reimbursement.
Annual subscription to wellness apps and monthly meditation classes.

Financial & Long-term Benefits:

401(k) or pension plans.
Health, dental, and vision insurance.
Relocation assistance if joining a main office.
Stock options or equity for long-term employees.
Bonus structure based on project completion or company performance.
Childcare assistance or family support programs.

Different Ways to Hire PHP Developers

There are several different models businesses can choose from when hiring a PHP developer. In-house, full-time developers are typically the most expensive, while outsourcing to a provider can help either reduce costs and/or increase flexibility. Outsourcing models also tend to be a more efficient and faster route.

DIYHire In-House

You'll be responsible for recruitment and onboarding costs, along with salary and benefits. Hiring an ideal PHP developer could take months. In addition, you’ll need experience in technical recruitment to narrow down the best candidates. On the plus side, an in-house PHP developer would be more integrated with your company culture, values and long-term vision. This means they’re more invested in your company’s future success.

Work with UsOption 1: Dedicated Teams

Many companies hire a dedicated development team through an outsourcing provider. A dedicated development team includes a range of talent, from software developers to product managers, UX designers, DevOps, project managers, and more. This option is more cost-effective than building an in-house team from scratch. Businesses can leverage top nearshore talent where the cost of living is lower than in the US.

Option 2: Staff Augmentation

Staff augmentation services are ideal for businesses with existing software development teams. Get additional support or access specialists. In this model, PHP developers join your in-house team, working with your employees and reporting to your managers.

Option 3: Software Outsourcing

Software outsourcing is the most comprehensive model we offer. We will build an entire team with all the roles you need, including a project manager and Scrum master to oversee the project. You will have time to focus on your core business while we develop your software from concept to completion.