Backend Developer (PHP / Laravel) – Integrations

Shipmate is looking for a Backend Developer experienced in PHP and Laravel to join its Integrations Team. The successful candidate will be responsible for developing and maintaining API and EDI integrations with carriers and channels, and their interface with the Shipmate platform.

The ideal candidate should have proven API integration experience, have a good understanding of writing maintainable code that scales, and be an effective communicator. Prior experience in a similar role is essential, with a background in SaaS, eCommerce or logistics being advantageous. 

If you’re ready to make a significant impact in a dynamic tech environment, this opportunity could be perfect for you.

About the company

Shipmate is a shipping automation Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platform for mid-size merchants and local delivery companies. We connect merchant sales channels and order processing systems with domestic and international delivery services provided by all mainstream UK and Ireland carriers.

Shipmate is used to fulfil orders by printing shipping labels and sharing tracking details with merchants and their customers. Shipmate helps speed up and simplify order fulfilment, while reducing potential for human error and ensuring the most cost-effective delivery services are always used.

Shipmate is operated by our parent company, Codemakers, which also provides contract consultancy and development services alongside other industry-specific SaaS products. We are a team of strategic thinkers, inquisitive in nature with an optimistic and determined outlook who solve real-world business challenges with solid, highly functional digital solutions that delight users. Our products and services are trusted by famous brands and used by thousands of people every day.

About the role

Main duties and responsibilities:

• Develop integrations for carrier, channel and marketplace systems to be added to the platform, according to the third party’s specifications and internal platform requirements

• Maintain existing integrations, including implementing updates required by the third party, alongside internal update requirements, underlying framework and language version updates

• Identify opportunities for and implement performance optimisations, security enhancements and maintainability improvements

• Translate business requirements into functional solutions, working across our development team according to project requirements

• Write and maintain unit tests and other automated tests as part of your development activities

• Provide assistance to our customer support team in troubleshooting issues and arriving at solutions in a timely manner, acting as second tier support

• Participate in project meetings, daily standups and sprint planning, in an agile software development environment

• Cooperate with our Testing and QA colleagues in ensuring quality, defect-free releases

• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives towards our software development processes, including tools and standards

• Support the production of internal and external documentation of features, such as implementation guides, user guides and support documentation

• Provide assistance relevant to your role in maintaining ISO 9001 and 27001 certification standards

Required skills & experience:

• Relevant education to degree or equivalent level in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Information Technology or similar related field.

• Proven experience as a Backend Developer, Software Engineer or similar role

• Proven experience integrating with third-party systems via SOAP/REST APIs and legacy file-based EDI implementations

• Ability to write highly maintainable code that considers performance, security and scalability

• Experience writing unit tests

• Demonstrable familiarity with PHP and the Laravel framework

• Confident and effective written and verbal communication skills and personable manner conducive to achieving shared goals

• Ability to work independently and manage your own time and workload

What’s the working environment like?

We operate from an office in Derby city centre, on a hybrid basis. The office provides a relaxed working environment with all the equipment you need to carry out your role, alongside private on-site parking, kitchen facilities and a generous selection of hot and cold drinks and snacks. We have daily team discussions by video conference and a wealth of remote working applications and tools to support hybrid on-site and remote working.

Initially you will be required to attend the office regularly for on-site training and role familiarisation, with this requirement reducing over your probationary period to occasional office working. You will therefore need to be within a commutable distance to Derby city centre.

What does my employment package include?

• A starting salary of £38,500 – £46,500 depending on experience

• 21 days holiday plus bank holidays, rising by 1 day each year to a maximum of 5

• Hybrid home and office working

• Time to develop your skills and an annual training allowance

• Flexible working hours

• Bupa medical insurance

The Application Process

Please submit your CV along with a cover letter by email to careers@shipmate.co.uk. Please quote vacancy reference S5BE1 with your application.

Your application will first be considered by our senior management team and a qualification screening questionnaire may be required depending on the volume of applications we receive.

The initially selected field of candidates will be invited to a short video interview to discuss your application, ensure a good experience and cultural fit in order to be invited to an in-person interview at our offices, which will be limited to four places. We are recruiting one position in this recruitment process.

Shipmate is an equal opportunities employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, disability, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, age or any other illegal or unfair basis.

This vacancy is open to UK nationals or residents with settled status only.

Important: Recruitment Agencies

We do not use recruitment agencies. All unsolicited communications from recruitment agencies, job board aggregators or outsourcing companies will be ignored and calls disconnected.