Senior PHP Developer

About The Company

Starapple is a rapidly growing, remote-only company specializing in custom high-traffic WordPress environments. Founded by experienced software developers who transitioned from traditional employment, the organization was born out of a desire to challenge conventional practices and innovate in the web development space. Their commitment to delivering tailored solutions in demanding, high-traffic scenarios has positioned them as a trusted partner for major clients in the ever-evolving media industry. The team is characterized by a collaborative, results-oriented culture that values expertise, responsibility, and continuous improvement. With a flexible, remote working environment, Starapple embraces a global talent pool, encouraging professionals to work from anywhere, including abroad. Their projects often involve creating custom integrations, applying design patterns, and prioritizing testing to ensure robust, scalable solutions.

About The Role

Starapple is seeking a skilled PHP Developer to join their small, dynamic development team. As part of this team, you will work on diverse client projects within a Scrum framework, contributing to the full lifecycle of high-traffic WordPress solutions. The role offers significant responsibility early on, allowing you to leverage your expertise to craft innovative and sustainable solutions. Working remotely, you will participate in bi-weekly sprint planning and daily stand-up meetings, collaborating closely with colleagues via Slack and other tools. The company values autonomy and results over fixed working hours, providing flexibility to shape your workday according to your preferences. Your primary focus will be developing custom WordPress plugins, integrating with various systems, and ensuring code quality through testing and adherence to best practices. The role offers an excellent opportunity to grow your skills, work on challenging projects, and contribute to a forward-thinking organization that prioritizes technical excellence and teamwork.

Qualifications

To succeed in this role, you should have at least five years of relevant PHP development experience, with a strong background in WordPress customization and plugin development. Proven experience in writing clean, maintainable code following coding standards is essential. Familiarity with unit testing, design patterns, and frameworks such as Symfony is highly desirable. You should be comfortable working independently, taking ownership of projects, and delivering high-quality solutions within deadlines. Knowledge of modern development practices and a passion for continuous learning are important. Additionally, experience working in remote teams and excellent communication skills will help you thrive in our flexible, results-driven environment. A proactive attitude, problem-solving mindset, and the ability to adapt to changing priorities are key attributes for this role.

Responsibilities

Your responsibilities will include developing and maintaining custom WordPress plugins and themes tailored to client needs, ensuring optimal performance and security. You will collaborate with project managers and designers to translate requirements into functional solutions. Participating in Scrum ceremonies, such as sprint planning, daily stand-ups, and retrospectives, will be part of your routine. You will also be responsible for writing unit tests, implementing design patterns, and adhering to coding standards to ensure code quality. Additionally, you will identify opportunities for process improvements and contribute to technical discussions within the team. You are expected to manage your workload independently, deliver solutions on time, and communicate progress effectively. Your role will also involve troubleshooting and resolving technical issues promptly, maintaining documentation, and staying current with industry best practices and emerging technologies.

Benefits

Starapple offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your professional and personal well-being. You will receive a competitive salary, up to €5500 based on experience, along with a flexible work schedule that allows you to choose your working hours. The company provides a home office allowance and a daily remote work stipend of €2 to help set up your ideal workspace. You will also be equipped with a high-quality laptop, typically a MacBook Pro, to ensure optimal productivity. The organization offers 25 vacation days plus an extra day off on your birthday, fostering work-life balance. A pension scheme through Brand New Day is available to secure your future. Additionally, there is a profit-sharing bonus scheme linked to company growth, providing extra motivation and recognition for your contributions. The flexible remote work setup enables you to work from anywhere, promoting a healthy work environment and personal flexibility.

Equal Opportunity

Starapple is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace. They believe that a variety of perspectives and backgrounds enhances innovation and team performance. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or any other protected characteristic. The company values integrity, respect, and fairness in all its hiring and employment practices, ensuring a welcoming environment where everyone can thrive and contribute to the organization’s success.