Intermediate Software Engineer (PHP)

As an Intermediate Software Engineer (PHP) at Goodlord, your main responsibilities will include working closely with product managers and other engineers to identify and implement solutions for end users. You will tackle issues that hinder user success, refine our applications continuously, and improve our codebase. Your role will also involve defining your development tasks to support your personal growth, ensuring our applications are user-friendly and efficient.

To excel as an Intermediate Software Engineer (PHP) at Goodlord, you should have significant commercial experience with web applications built using Symfony or Laravel. Proficiency in creating clean, well-tested code and working with relational databases like MySQL and PostgreSQL is essential. Additionally, familiarity with agile practices and a customer-focused mindset will help you succeed in this role.

Goodlord offers a fantastic personal development opportunity for Intermediate Software Engineers (PHP) with an annual development fund of £1000. This fund can support your learning goals, whether it’s attending workshops, courses, or obtaining certifications. At Goodlord, your growth is vital as we strive to create an environment where you can expand both your technical skills and personal capabilities.

Goodlord is committed to supporting work-life balance for its Intermediate Software Engineers (PHP) through a hybrid working model that allows you to work from home three days a week and be in the office two days. With 25 days of holiday (plus bank holidays) that can extend up to 32 days, we encourage all employees to take breaks for their well-being and recharge.

The Intermediate Software Engineer (PHP) position at Goodlord is located in Sheffield, specifically in the Fargate area. You will benefit from a hybrid working setup which provides flexibility, allowing you to choose two days for office work while working from home for the remaining three days.

When discussing your experience with Symfony or Laravel, focus on specific projects where you utilized these frameworks. Describe how you approached challenges, the architecture of your applications, and any performance optimizations you implemented. Highlight your understanding of best practices and how they contributed to the success of your projects.

To maintain clean and well-tested code, I follow best practices such as writing clear documentation, adhering to coding standards, and utilizing automated testing techniques like unit and integration tests. I also engage in code reviews and refactoring sessions to enhance code quality, ensuring that the code remains understandable and maintainable.

I use a combination of feedback from team members, analysis of application performance metrics, and regular review of the development workflow to identify bottlenecks. Implementing agile methodologies also helps in maintaining a transparent process where issues can be addressed promptly, leading to a more effective development cycle.

In a previous role, I encountered a performance issue where queries were running slowly. By profiling the queries and identifying inefficient joins, I optimized them with indexes and refactored a few data retrieval methods. These changes significantly improved the application's response time, leading to a notably enhanced user experience.

In an agile environment, I prioritize tasks by assessing their impact on customer needs and aligning them with the sprint goals. I work closely with the product manager to ensure the highest value tasks are prioritized. Utilizing frameworks like MoSCoW (Must have, Should have, Could have, Won’t have) helps me effectively manage conflicting priorities.

To stay updated on emerging technologies and best practices, I regularly attend webinars, read industry publications, and participate in online developer communities. I also find value in experimenting with new tools and frameworks in side projects, which keeps my skills sharp and enhances my adaptability in my role.

In a previous project, I collaborated with marketing and sales teams to develop customer-facing features. Through workshops and regular meetings, I translated technical requirements into user-friendly terms, ensuring all stakeholders were aligned. This collaboration ultimately led to a successful product launch that met everyone's needs.

When faced with conflicting feedback, I first seek to understand the perspectives of all involved parties. I then analyze the underlying concerns and evaluate the impact on the project. Bringing everyone together for an open discussion often helps in reaching a consensus that aligns with our shared goals.

I frequently use Git for version control, as it allows me to manage code changes effectively. For collaboration, tools like GitHub or Bitbucket are invaluable, enabling seamless code reviews and issue tracking which enhances team communication and keeps everyone on the same page.

My approach to personal development involves setting clear, achievable goals for both my technical and soft skills. Leveraging resources such as online courses, certifications, and mentorship opportunities help me stay progression-oriented. I regularly assess my progress and adjust my learning strategy based on industry demands and my career objectives.