JavaScript and PHP developer

Junior PHP Developer - Maintenance & Small Feature Tasks - Ireland Based

Job Description

We are looking for a junior PHP developer to support ongoing maintenance and small development tasks on an existing PHP application.

This is not a Laravel project. The application is a legacy / custom PHP system, so the right person needs to be comfortable reading existing code, understanding how things currently work, and making careful changes without overcomplicating the solution.

The role is suitable for a junior or early-stage developer who wants steady hands-on experience, guidance, and real-world exposure to maintaining a live business application.

Type of Work

The work will mainly involve:

Fixing small bugs

Making minor changes to existing features

Updating PHP, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, or SQL where needed

Testing changes carefully before handing them back

Reading existing code and understanding the current structure

Supporting maintenance tasks

Helping with slightly larger tasks once familiar with the system

Documenting what was changed in a clear and simple way

Requirements

Must be based in Ireland

Good basic PHP knowledge

Comfortable working on non-Laravel / custom PHP applications

Basic MySQL knowledge

Basic HTML, CSS, and JavaScript knowledge

Able to follow instructions carefully

Willing to ask questions when something is unclear

Curious, careful, and willing to learn

Good attention to detail

Able to communicate progress clearly

What We Value Most

Technical skill is important, but we are mainly looking for someone with the right attitude.

The ideal person will be:

Curious

Careful

Reliable

Honest about what they know and do not know

Good at asking sensible questions

Interested in understanding the business logic, not just changing code

Willing to learn from feedback

Able to think critically before making changes

Not Required

You do not need to be a senior developer.

You do not need deep Laravel experience.

You do not need to know modern frameworks in detail.

This is a good role for someone who wants practical experience working with an existing PHP system and learning how real maintenance work is handled.

Working Style

We will provide tasks in small, clear pieces.

For each task, we expect:

A short explanation of what you understood

Any questions before starting

A careful implementation

Basic testing before completion

A short summary of what was changed

Contract Details

This is a contract role, starting with a small number of tasks. If the working relationship is good, there may be ongoing maintenance work available.

Ireland-based applicants only, as we need someone in a similar timezone and ideally available for occasional calls during Irish business hours.

Application Questions

Please answer the following when applying:

Are you based in Ireland?

How much PHP experience do you have?

Have you worked on a custom or legacy PHP system before?

Are you comfortable working on a non-Laravel project?

What is your experience with MySQL?

Give one example of a bug or small task you fixed in a previous project.

How do you approach code you have not seen before?

What is your hourly rate?

What is your weekly availability?

Suggested Upwork Settings

Experience level: Entry level / Intermediate

Project type: Ongoing project

Contract type: Hourly

Location requirement: Ireland

Skills: PHP, MySQL, JavaScript, HTML, CSS, Bug Fixes, Web Development, Legacy Code Maintenance

Hourly range: €20-€35/hour depending on experience

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