PHP Developer

Elemental was founded on a simple idea: Technology should make life easier, businesses smarter and innovation seamless. Seventeen years later, that vision has shaped us into a powerhouse of developers, designers and problem-solvers who thrive on turning complex challenges into elegant digital solutions.

We specialise in crafting web and software solutions that streamline operations, automate processes and help businesses scale. Whether it’s custom web applications, advanced integrations or full-scale digital platforms, we build technology that works—intuitively, efficiently and powerfully.

Based in Sandown, Cape Town, Elemental is more than just a development company—we’re a team driven by curiosity, collaboration and the pursuit of digital excellence.

Here's what we are looking for

With your coding expertise, passion and experience, you craft custom, complex and automated database-driven web apps, websites and platforms—especially in Laravel using PHP and JavaScript. You take pride in delivering high-quality, thoroughly tested projects by collaborating closely with your team. You don’t just write code; you build exceptional digital solutions.

If you proudly introduce yourself as a PHP developer at parties, whether you've sharpened your skills at a tech giant or thrived in a fast-paced web development agency, we want to hear from you! With four years of PHP experience, strong object-oriented programming skills and hands-on expertise with an MVC framework like Laravel or CodeIgniter, you’re exactly who we’re looking for.

Requirements

• Minimum four years of web development experience.
• Strong PHP and object-oriented coding knowledge and experience.
• Experience with one or more MVC PHP frameworks (Laravel or CodeIgniter).
• Solid understanding of MySQL.
• Relational database design and writing complex SQL queries.
• Experience with HTML5 and CSS3.
• Experience with JavaScript and jQuery.
• Strong Flutter experience is a plus.
• Database management – proficiency in MySQL, database design, query optimisation and indexing.
• JavaScript and frontend technologies – working knowledge of JavaScript, HTML, CSS and frameworks like Vue.js or React is a plus.
• RESTful API development – experience in building and integrating APIs, including third-party services.
• Authentication and security – understanding of authentication methods (OAuth, JWT), encryption and web security best practices.
• Version control and deployment
  • Git and version control – proficiency in Git for code collaboration and repository management.
  • DevOps and deployment – experience with server management, CI/CD pipelines and cloud platforms like AWS or Digital Ocean is beneficial.
  • Docker and virtualisation – familiarity with containerisation for scalable development environments (bonus).
• Testing and optimisation
  • Unit and integration testing – experience with PHP Unit or other testing frameworks.
  • Performance optimisation – ability to write efficient, scalable and maintainable code.
  • Debugging and troubleshooting – strong problem-solving skills to identify and resolve issues quickly.

Professional and interpersonal skills

• Problem-solving mindset – ability to analyse, troubleshoot and resolve technical challenges.
• Collaboration and communication – comfortable working within a team, sharing knowledge and engaging in discussions.
• Time management – ability to handle multiple projects and meet deadlines effectively.
• Attention to detail – a meticulous approach to writing clean, well-documented and maintainable code.
• Adaptability and learning – willingness to stay updated with new technologies and best practices in web development.
• Ownership and accountability – takes initiative and responsibility for delivering high-quality work.

Why join us?

We’re all about growth, which is why training is a top priority! You’ll have opportunities to level up your skills and stay ahead of the game—how awesome is that?

But it’s not just about work. We believe a strong culture makes all the difference. That’s why we host regular team events and wind down on Friday afternoons with music, games, pool and table tennis—all paired with an ice-cold brewski.

And because we’re big foodies, we celebrate your arrival with a pizza day, enjoy Friday breakfast dates and fire up the occasional braai with some juicy chops. Plus, every quarter, we take time to kick back, catch up and just enjoy being a team.

Our values – this is who we are

• Show up, step up and own it.
• Go beyond expectations—exceed them and be proud.
• Add a personal touch to everything you do—we’re human, after all.
• Arrive with a smile, and leave with one too.

What’s in it for you?

Your salary will be based on your experience, skills and credentials. If you're the perfect fit, we’re open to negotiating.

Ready to join?

If this sounds like you (or someone you know), we’d love to chat! Send your CV and a quick note to our recruitment team at hr@elemental.agency.

Posted on 19 Mar 12:27, Closing date 18 Apr