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Sr. PHP Symfony Engineer (Remote, Full-Time) [AR024]

Smart Working· Engineering
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Hybrid (Remote (UK hours may be required))Full-Time | RemotePosted 2w ago

About the role

Senior backend-focused role owning backend development in a mature Symfony platform, with future Symfony 7 upgrade, Angular front end, and TypeScript/Python AI microservices. Remote, full-time, with high autonomy and cross-functional collaboration.

Responsibilities

  • Take ownership of backend development within the core Symfony application, becoming fully independent in delivering work within 2–3 months of joining.
  • Review and critically assess code written by the team and AI tools, challenging proposed approaches and ensuring key considerations are addressed.
  • Support the migration from Symfony 6.1 to Symfony 7 by resolving versioning, compatibility and legacy issues preventing the upgrade.
  • Improve the application’s performance, scalability and maintainability.
  • Work across the Angular front end, TypeScript and Python-based AI agent services, collaborating with DevOps on backend changes impacting other areas.
  • Read and understand the Angular/TypeScript codebase; contribute to backend while frontend exposure is not required.
  • Understand the wider impact of technical decisions across Symfony, Angular and AI services; identify gaps in human-written and AI-generated code.
  • Question existing approaches, identify root causes and seek better ways of building things beyond ticket completion.
  • Deliver thoughtful, maintainable solutions within a legacy codebase with steady delivery pace.
  • Work with autonomy and ownership while collaborating with a remote, cross-functional team.
  • Follow SOC 2, PII and security requirements consistently.

Qualifications

  • 8+ years of commercial software engineering experience, including at least 5 years working with PHP.
  • 7+ years of Expert-level PHP development experience.
  • 3+ years of recent commercial experience with Symfony 6.x/7 at Advanced level. Strong senior-level Laravel experience may be considered where transferable.
  • 4+ years of Advanced experience in backend architecture, system design and scalability.
  • 2+ years of Advanced experience using AI development tools to review, validate and challenge AI-generated code.
  • 5+ years of Advanced MySQL experience (or equivalent PostgreSQL/relational DB).
  • At least 1 year of experience with Angular/TypeScript; React or Vue with TS may be considered but some front-end exposure essential.
  • 3+ years of Advanced experience with automated testing using PHPUnit (Pest or similar considered).
  • At least 1 year of Intermediate experience upgrading frameworks and modernising legacy codebases.
  • 2+ years of Intermediate AWS experience (Azure/GCP also considered).
  • Fluent written and spoken English.
  • Strong communication skills for remote work.
  • Ability to work UK hours.
  • Ability to pass strict background checks and data protection requirements.
  • Self-sufficiency to operate independently after 2–3 months while collaborating with the team.
  • Hands-on engineering approach with architectural mindset.

Skills

Required:PHPSymfonyBackend architectureAI development toolingMySQL/Relational databasesAngular/TypeScriptPHPUnit/Pest
Last updated Oct 21, 2026. Interested? Apply on the company site.

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