Senior Full-Stack Developer

• Own the Laravel Backend: Take a leadership role in maintaining, optimizing, and refining the existing Laravel application, ensuring its APIs are robust, secure, and performant to serve the new Next.js frontend.
• API Refinement for Migration: Analyze existing Laravel APIs and collaborate with the new frontend team to enhance, refactor, and/or create new endpoints optimized for Next.js data consumption.
• Execute the Frontend Build: Actively participate in the hands-on development of the new Next.js frontend, utilizing experience to rapidly implement components and integrate them seamlessly with the Laravel API.
• Maintain Code Health: Establish and enforce high coding standards (for both PHP and JavaScript), conduct rigorous code reviews, and drive best practices in development, security, and performance.
• Troubleshooting Across the Stack: Possess the ability to debug and solve complex issues that span the entire application, from database queries and Laravel business logic to client-side rendering in Next.js.
• Data and Logic Integrity: Ensure data integrity and business logic consistency remain intact throughout the migration process, primarily within the core Laravel application.
• Mentorship and Collaboration: Mentor junior and mid-level developers, and work closely with product and design teams to translate business requirements into technical specifications for both the Laravel and Next.js layers.
• Contribute to Infrastructure: Participate in DevOps efforts related to deployment, monitoring, and scaling of both the Laravel API and the new Next.js application

Skillset Required:

• Laravel Mastery (Primary Skill): Expert proficiency in PHP and the Laravel framework (current versions), including Artisan, Eloquent ORM, Service Providers, and the overall MVC architecture.
• API Development: Extensive experience in designing, building, and maintaining robust, performant RESTful APIs using Laravel. Must understand the needs of a decoupled front-end.
• Database: Expert in MySQL (or PostgreSQL) with advanced SQL query writing, schema design, and performance optimization.
• Frontend Technologies (Next.js/React): Hands-on experience with Next.js, React.js, React Hooks, and state management (e.g., Redux, Context API). Knowledge of Next.js concepts like SSR/SSG is required, but mastery is secondary.
• Migration Context: Proven experience managing the backend during a significant frontend decoupling or migration project.
• Core Languages: Proficiency in modern PHP and JavaScript (ES6+/TypeScript).
• Testing: Strong skills in unit and integration testing (PHPUnit for Laravel, Jest/React Testing Library for React).
• DevOps/Deployment: Experience with Git, CI/CD pipelines, and cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, or DigitalOcean) to manage both Laravel and Next.js deployments.
• Architectural Principles: Deep understanding of OOP, design patterns, and SOLID principles.