SENIOR BACKEND ENGINEER - PHP/LARAVEL - FTC 6 MONTHS

Experienced Backend Engineer (PHP/Laravel) 6 Month Full-Time Contract with potential switch to Permanent Role.
Company.
JammJar Location.
Remote, with a minimum of 4 hours overlap with UK time zone working hours Language.
Must speak fluent English About JammJar JammJar is a fast-growing fintech startup focused on transforming the mortgage brokerage industry with AI-powered tools that automate administrative tasks and improve customer interactions.
We are building a CRM platform that helps mortgage advisors streamline the mortgage application process, saving time and increasing efficiency.
Our vision is to eliminate tedious paperwork and provide real-time, AI-driven insights for brokers, allowing them to better serve their clients.
Role Overview We are seeking an experienced Backend Engineer (PHP/Laravel) to take responsibility for the backend development of our platform.
The ideal candidate will have a minimum of 5 years of experience developing backend systems, with deep expertise in PHP and Laravel.
As part of a small, highly collaborative team, you will be responsible for building and maintaining backend services, including API development, database management, queue management, and integrations with third-party AI services and local AI models.
You will have the opportunity to shape the backend architecture, help scale our platform as we grow, and play a crucial role in delivering a product that will be used by hundreds of mortgage brokers.
We are looking for someone who is a problem-solver, self-motivated, and capable of taking ownership of their work from the ground up.
Responsibilities Lead the development and optimization of backend services using PHP/Laravel, ensuring high performance and responsiveness.
Design and develop APIs (REST or GraphQL) to interact with the frontend, external services, and AI models.
Collaborate closely with the frontend development team (React/Next.
s) to ensure smooth integration between the backend and frontend.
Manage and optimize the MySQL database, and develop solutions for scaling, particularly around handling mortgage-related data and lending criteria.
Implement and manage error tracking and alerting systems using Sentry.
Set up and manage queue systems for tasks like document processing and PDF generation.
Work with infrastructure based on Kubernetes, hosted on AWS, and use Infrastructure as Code (IaC) principles to manage deployments.
Develop strategies for integrating third-party AI services and local AI models for real-time mortgage analysis and processing.
Collaborate with the team to continuously improve the platform’s architecture, scalability, and performance.
Ensure the system adheres to security standards, particularly around handling sensitive mortgage and personal data (GDPR compliance).
Minimum Requirements 5+ years of experience as a Backend Engineer, with a strong focus on PHP/Laravel.
Proven track record of developing scalable backend services from the ground up.
Strong knowledge of MySQL and database management.
Experience with API development (REST or GraphQL) and generating API documentation.
Excellent problem-solving skills and a positive, collaborative attitude.
Nice to Have Experience with third-party AI services and developing local AI models.
Experience developing or integrating CRM systems.
Startup experience or having worked in a fast-paced, product-driven environment.
What We Offer Remote Work.
Work from anywhere with a flexible schedule that overlaps with the UK.
Ownership.
Take full responsibility for your backend work and contribute to key decision-making processes.
Share Options.
The opportunity to be among the first hires in a funded, exciting startup, with access to share options.
Collaborative Team.
Work closely with a highly skilled and motivated team, driving innovation in B2B SaaS/fintech.
Growth Opportunities.
As the platform scales, there will be opportunities to take on leadership and architectural roles within the team.
How to Apply Submit your application to including your CV and a brief cover letter outlining your experience and why you're excited to work with JammJar.