php developer jobs

Job Description

Are you looking to join a company that grows every year?

Would you like your role, responsibility and salary to grow year on year as you make a real impact on the business?

If your answer is yes, then we may be just the company for you.

Who We Are

driveJohnson’s is a national driving school with approximately 850 driving instructors, covering many areas across the UK. We are based in Kingston, Milton Keynes.

We have an in-house marketing team.

We are now looking for a talented Full Stack Developer to help oversee, improve and develop our websites, apps, booking systems and backend platforms, taking them to the next level as the company continues to grow.

This is not just a basic WordPress website role. We are looking for someone who is comfortable working across frontend, backend, databases, servers, apps, APIs, integrations and internal systems.

Who We Are Looking For

We are looking for someone with strong experience in WordPress, Laravel, PHP, JavaScript and Vue.js who can slot into our team and keep momentum going straight away.

The ideal candidate will be a confident full stack developer who enjoys problem solving, improving systems and creating practical solutions that help the business run more efficiently.

You will be involved in maintaining and improving our websites, backend systems, booking platforms, apps and integrations with third-party tools.

We are looking for someone who is hands-on, reliable, technically strong and able to work closely with the director and wider team to keep the business moving forwards.

This is an opportunity to become an integral part of the business and join our existing managers in the company.

Key Responsibilities

Your role will include:

• Maintaining, improving and developing our WordPress and Laravel websites
• Working on backend booking systems and editable admin areas
• Building and improving internal tools used by the office and bookings team
• Working with PHP, Laravel, WordPress, Vanilla PHP, MySQL, JavaScript and Vue.js
• Improving frontend areas using HTML, CSS, Sass, Stylus and Tailwind CSS
• Troubleshooting bugs, errors and technical issues across our websites and apps
• Working with Linux server environments, including CentOS and Ubuntu
• Helping resolve server, hosting, Cloudflare, security and performance issues
• Supporting app development and app updates
• Deploying apps to Apple’s App Store and Google Play
• Using Git and GitHub as part of the development workflow
• Helping integrate our booking system with third-party platforms such as RingCentral and other software providers
• Working on API integrations and improving how our systems communicate with each other
• Supporting the wider office team when IT solutions are needed
• Working closely with the director and marketing manager to identify improvements and deliver practical solutions

Minimum Requirements

You must have at least 2-3 years’ commercial experience in most of the following areas:

• PHP, including Laravel, WordPress and Vanilla PHP
• WordPress development, including editable backend/admin areas
• Laravel development Including Laravel blade and Forge
• HTML and CSS
• Stylus, Sass and Tailwind CSS
• MySQL and database management
• JavaScript, particularly Vue.js
• Git and GitHub
• Linux server environments, particularly CentOS and Ubuntu
• Server troubleshooting and problem solving
• Cloudflare, website security tools and general security best practice
• Backend booking systems or similar internal platforms
• API integrations and connecting systems with third-party platforms

Experience with the following would also be highly beneficial:

• Apache Cordova
• Capacitor.js
• Electron
• Building mobile apps
• Deploying apps to Apple’s App Store and Google Play
• RingCentral or similar phone/communication system integrations
• Booking platforms, CRM systems, payment systems, SMS/email systems or other operational software

Personal Qualities

On top of the technical requirements, we are looking for someone who:

• Is a positive, confident team player
• Is an excellent problem solver
• Can work independently and take ownership of projects
• Is willing to assist in other areas of the business where simple IT solutions are needed
• Can communicate clearly with non-technical members of the team
• Takes their own learning and development seriously
• Is passionate about improving systems and making things work better
• Has good attention to detail
• Has good English writing skills, which would give you an advantage over other applicants

About the Role

You will benefit from a varied working week.

Some weeks you may be working on long-term projects, such as improving our booking system, creating a new app feature, developing a new website section, improving backend functionality or building internal tools for the office team.

Other weeks may involve fixing issues, improving performance, solving server problems, updating apps, improving security, supporting integrations or consolidating existing systems.

Most days, you will be working closely with the marketing manager and director on ideas and improvements to help keep the business moving forwards.

You will also have colleagues in our marketing business next door to driveJohnson’s who you can go to for advice, support and to swap ideas and information, so both businesses benefit from each other’s knowledge.

This role would suit someone who enjoys variety, responsibility and seeing the real impact of their work on a growing business.

Salary

Salary: £45,000-£58,000 per year, depending on experience.

Someone who meets the minimum requirements and has good commercial experience will start towards the lower end of the salary range.

However, if you have stronger experience across Laravel, WordPress, Vue.js, databases, servers, apps, APIs, security and booking systems, your salary will reflect this from the start.

If you can hit the ground running and take ownership of projects quickly, you will be considered for the senior end of the salary range.

We are happy to reward strong performance, quick improvements and people who make a clear positive impact on the business. The current cap of £55,000 is not the limit to what you can earn. If become an key asset to the company, your salary will reflect this.

Office Location and Working Hours

We are based in Kingston, Milton Keynes.

This is an office-based role. You will be required to come to the office daily between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday.

Benefits

• Company pension scheme
• On-site parking
• Company events
• Discounted or free food
• Weekly management meeting involvement
• Spontaneous gifts and rewards throughout the year for high-performing staff members
• Opportunity to grow with a company that continues to expand every year
• Varied role with real responsibility and direct input into company improvements

Job Type

Full-time

Work Location

In person - Kingston, Milton Keynes

Pay: £40,000.00-£55,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Company pension
• Free parking
• On-site parking

Application question(s):

• After reading the job description, are there any skills or areas mentioned that you are unfamiliar with or have limited experience in? Please answer honestly.
• Do you have any additional skills or experience that you feel would benefit our business after reading the job description? For example, do you have a creative side or experience using software such as Photoshop, Figma, Adobe Creative Suite or similar?
• How many years of commercial experience do you have working with PHP, Laravel, WordPress and JavaScript/Vue.js?
• How much experience do you have with the following: Linux servers, MySQL databases, app deployment, Cloudflare/security tools, API integrations or booking systems? Please briefly explain.
• What appeals to you most about this role and the opportunity to work with driveJohnson’s?
• Do you understand that this is an office-based role and that you will be required to attend our office in Milton Keynes every day, Monday to Friday?

Interviews will only be offered to applicants who live within 1 hour our office postcode MK10 0AN.

Work Location: In person