Principal Software Engineer, PHP Full Stack

Smart Working

. Set technical direction across a product area while remaining hands-on with engineering .

Posted 10/13/2026full-timeManchester • United KingdomLead💰 £75,000 - £90,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

Use this summary to align your resume positioning with the role.

Demonstrates extensive experience in commercial software engineering, particularly with PHP and AI-native software development. Capable of leading architectural decisions, mentoring engineers, and driving technical direction across multiple teams while ensuring scalability and security.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Expert-Level PHP ExperienceAI-Native Software DevelopmentArchitectural Design LeadershipCloud Platform Expertise (AWS)Advanced Communication Skills

ATS Keywords

Tailor your resume

Applicant Tracking System Keywords

Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.

Hard Skills

PHPLaravelSymfonyAI Development Best PracticesScalable Systems DesignJavaScript Frameworks (Vue 3, React)Cloud Computing (AWS)Data-Driven Decision MakingTechnical ReviewsArchitectural Solutions

Soft Skills

MentoringCollaborationAnalytical SkillsInfluencing SkillsIndependent Problem Solving

Tools & Technologies

AI AgentsShared PluginsCI/CD WorkflowsAI Governance ToolsTechnical Standards Development

Industry Keywords

Software EngineeringTechnical DirectionScalabilitySecurity ArchitectureProduct Outcomes

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

AngularAWSCloudDistributed SystemsJavaScriptLaravelPHPReactSymfonyVue.js

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Set technical direction across a product area while remaining hands-on with engineering
Identify emerging technical challenges and lead solutions across multiple engineering teams
Lead architectural decisions involving shared services, platform components, and system boundaries
Own technical reviews for significant changes
Identify and address scalability bottlenecks, operational inefficiencies, and security risks using data-driven approaches
Drive development and adoption of AI agents, shared plugins, and AI infrastructure in CI and code review workflows
Establish AI governance, safe-use standards, and technical guardrails
Make build-versus-buy recommendations for AI investments
Lead complex platform changes, major framework upgrades, security architecture initiatives, and infrastructure cost and reliability improvements
Align multiple engineering teams around technical decisions, shared standards, and long-term architectural outcomes
Co-own product outcomes and translate technical trade-offs into commercial recommendations for leadership
Collaborate with product stakeholders, engineering leadership, senior leadership, and the technical leadership network
Mentor engineers across teams and develop shared tooling
Work independently on ambiguous, open-ended technical challenges
Make data-driven technical decisions with long-term product and business impact

Requirements

What you’ll need

Extensive commercial software engineering experience; 8+ years is a seniority guideline rather than a strict minimum
7+ years of deep commercial PHP experience at expert level; commercial PHP experience is essential
5+ years of expert-level experience with Laravel, Symfony, or another PHP MVC framework
3+ years of expert-level experience leading architecture and technical design across multiple teams or systems
5+ years of expert-level experience designing scalable and distributed systems
1+ year of advanced experience with AI-native software development, including Claude Code or comparable agentic coding tools used daily in production
1+ year of advanced experience applying AI development best practices, including context management, token cost management, and reviewing AI-generated output
1+ year of advanced experience building AI tooling, agents, or infrastructure used by other engineers
Proficiency in AI governance and guardrails, including failure modes, agent drift, safe-use standards, and build-versus-buy decisions
3+ years of experience with a modern JavaScript framework, preferably Vue 3 or React; Angular or comparable frameworks may be considered
4+ years of advanced production cloud experience, preferably AWS; transferable expertise from another cloud platform accepted
Advanced experience delivering complex platform changes, major framework upgrades, and security architecture improvements
Strong product and commercial judgement
Advanced communication and influencing skills, including collaboration across multiple engineering teams and engagement with senior leadership
Experience mentoring engineers, establishing technical standards, and developing shared tooling beyond an individual team
Ability to independently identify ambiguous cross-team technical challenges and lead architectural solutions through delivery
Ability to balance long-term architectural direction with hands-on engineering and detailed technical reviews
Comfortable working independently and collaborating across teams with competing priorities
Strong analytical and data-driven decision-making skills
Willingness to pursue a senior individual-contributor career path focused on technical leadership rather than direct people management
Eligibility to live and work in the UK
Ability to work hybrid and attend the Manchester office at least twice per month

Benefits

Comp & perks

Full-time, long-term role
Remote-first work environment
Hybrid arrangement with attendance at the Manchester office at least twice per month
Opportunity for personal and professional growth
Genuine community focused on employee well-being
Technical leadership and individual-contributor career path