Hiring the right PHP developer starts with a clear, realistic, and well-structured job description. A vague or generic description often attracts the wrong candidates — or worse, discourages the right ones from applying.
This page provides ready-to-use PHP Developer job description templates for Junior, Mid-level, and Senior roles, along with key responsibilities, required skills, and commonly used tools and frameworks.
It’s designed as a practical reference for HR teams, founders, and hiring managers who want to define roles clearly before moving into the hiring process.
What Does a PHP Developer Do?
A PHP Developer is responsible for building, maintaining, and optimizing server-side logic that powers web applications. PHP developers typically work closely with front-end developers, designers, and DevOps teams to ensure applications are scalable, secure, and performant.
Depending on experience level and project needs, a PHP developer may focus on:
- Backend logic and APIs
- Database design and optimization
- Integration with third-party services
- Performance tuning and security hardening
- Maintaining legacy systems or modernizing them with frameworks
Core Responsibilities of a PHP Developer
While responsibilities vary by seniority and company size, most PHP developers are expected to handle the following:
- Develop and maintain backend features using PHP
- Build and consume RESTful APIs
- Design, manage, and optimize databases (MySQL, PostgreSQL, etc.)
- Collaborate with frontend developers to integrate UI with server-side logic
- Write clean, maintainable, and well-documented code
- Debug, troubleshoot, and resolve application issues
- Implement security and data protection best practices
- Participate in code reviews and technical discussions
Common PHP Tools & Frameworks
Most modern PHP developers work within a well-defined ecosystem. These are the tools and technologies most frequently mentioned across top-ranking job descriptions.
Frameworks
- Laravel
- Symfony
- CodeIgniter
- Yii
- Slim
Databases
- MySQL / MariaDB
- PostgreSQL
- Redis
- MongoDB (in some stacks)
Development & Collaboration Tools
- Git (GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket)
- Composer
- Docker
- PHPUnit
- Postman
- CI/CD pipelines
PHP Developer Job Description Templates
Below are customizable templates for different experience levels. These can be used directly in job postings or adapted to your internal hiring documentation.
Junior PHP Developer Job Description
Job Summary
We are looking for a Junior PHP Developer who is eager to learn and grow in a collaborative development environment. You will work under the guidance of senior developers to build and maintain backend features for web applications.
Key Responsibilities
- Assist in developing backend features using PHP
- Write basic CRUD operations and database queries
- Fix bugs and support existing codebases
- Collaborate with senior developers and QA teams
- Learn best practices in coding, testing, and security
Required Skills
- Basic understanding of PHP and web development concepts
- Familiarity with HTML, CSS, and basic JavaScript
- Introductory experience with MySQL or other relational databases
- Willingness to learn frameworks such as Laravel or CodeIgniter
- Good problem-solving attitude and communication skills
Nice to Have
- Personal or academic projects using PHP
- Exposure to Git or version control systems
- Basic understanding of MVC architecture
Mid-Level PHP Developer Job Description
Job Summary
We are hiring a Mid-Level PHP Developer with hands-on experience building and maintaining production-grade web applications. You will be responsible for developing new features, improving existing systems, and collaborating with cross-functional teams.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and maintain backend systems using PHP frameworks
- Design and optimize database schemas and queries
- Integrate third-party APIs and internal services
- Write reusable, testable, and efficient code
- Participate in code reviews and architectural discussions
Required Skills
- 2–4 years of professional experience with PHP
- Strong experience with Laravel, Symfony, or similar frameworks
- Solid understanding of RESTful APIs and MVC architecture
- Experience working with relational databases
- Familiarity with Git, Composer, and basic DevOps workflows
Nice to Have
- Experience with Docker or cloud platforms
- Knowledge of performance optimization techniques
- Exposure to automated testing
Senior PHP Developer Job Description
Job Summary
We are seeking an experienced Senior PHP Developer to lead backend development efforts and contribute to system architecture decisions. This role involves technical leadership, mentoring, and ownership of complex backend solutions.
Key Responsibilities
- Architect and develop scalable PHP-based applications
- Lead backend development and technical decision-making
- Review code and enforce engineering best practices
- Optimize system performance, security, and scalability
- Mentor junior and mid-level developers
- Collaborate with product, frontend, and DevOps teams
Required Skills
- 5+ years of experience in PHP development
- Deep expertise in Laravel or Symfony
- Strong understanding of software architecture and design patterns
- Experience with high-traffic or complex systems
- Proficiency in database optimization and system scalability
Nice to Have
- Experience modernizing legacy PHP systems
- Cloud infrastructure experience (AWS, GCP, Azure)
- Exposure to microservices or event-driven architecture
PHP Developer Role Variations
Depending on business needs, PHP roles may be defined more specifically:
- Backend PHP Developer – Focused entirely on server-side logic and APIs
- Full Stack PHP Developer – PHP backend combined with frontend technologies
- Laravel Developer – Specialized in Laravel-based projects
- Maintenance / Legacy PHP Developer – Focused on stabilizing and upgrading existing systems
How This Job Description Fits Into the Hiring Process
A well-defined PHP Developer job description helps you:
- Attract candidates with the right technical expectations
- Reduce mismatches during screening and interviews
- Speed up shortlisting and technical evaluations
- Align internal stakeholders on role scope and seniority
Before publishing or hiring, make sure the job description aligns with actual project needs, not just a generic wishlist.
Hiring PHP Developers Without Starting From Scratch
If you’ve already defined your PHP Developer requirements and want to move straight into hiring, Tech for Hire provides access to pre-vetted PHP developers across different seniority levels, without the overhead of traditional recruitment.
You can explore available PHP talent and hiring options here:
This allows teams to transition smoothly from job definition to actual execution, with developers who are ready to contribute from day one.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What should I include in a PHP developer job description?
- List clear responsibilities, required skills, experience level, and the PHP frameworks or tools used. Keep it realistic so candidates understand what they’ll actually work on.
- What’s the difference between junior, mid-level, and senior PHP developers?
- Junior developers focus on learning and basic tasks, mid-level developers handle features independently, and senior developers lead architecture, optimization, and mentoring.
- Should I require experience with Laravel or Symfony?
- For most modern PHP projects, yes. These frameworks are widely used and help ensure code quality, scalability, and faster development.
- Is PHP still a good choice for backend development today?
- Yes. PHP remains widely used for SaaS platforms, enterprise systems, and high-traffic websites, especially when paired with modern frameworks.
- How detailed should a PHP developer's job description be?
- Detailed enough to set expectations, but not overloaded with unnecessary requirements. Focus on core skills, responsibilities, and tools that are actually used.
- What should I do after finalizing the job description?
- Prepare interview questions, align salary expectations, and decide your hiring approach. If speed matters, working with pre-vetted PHP developers can significantly shorten the process.