Senior Python Engineer, PHP

Arbor Education

Seeking a Senior Product Engineer for Arbor to enhance and scale back-end services in education tech. Focused on driving features and maintaining technical excellence in a remote role.

Posted 7/20/2026full-timeRemote • 🇬🇧 United KingdomSenior💰 £75,000 - £85,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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

Demonstrates expertise in building and maintaining scalable back-end services using Python and PHP, with a strong focus on high code quality, test-driven development, and effective collaboration within agile teams. Possesses the ability to lead technical projects, mentor junior engineers, and communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Back-End Development in PythonBack-End Development in PHPAPI Design and DevelopmentTest-Driven Development (TDD)Agile Methodologies

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

Python ProgrammingPHP ProgrammingSQL Database ManagementNoSQL Database ManagementService-Oriented ArchitectureSoftware Engineering PrinciplesCode ReviewPerformance OptimizationData ModelingTest Automation

Soft Skills

Problem-SolvingMentorshipCollaborationCommunicationTeam Player

Tools & Technologies

LaminasSymfonyFast APIScrumTechnical Documentation

Industry Keywords

Ed-TechEnterprise SolutionsLarge-Scale SystemsService Decomposition

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

NoSQLPHPPythonSQL

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Build, maintain and scale platform-level back-end services to enhance and serve our core products.
Leverage these capabilities to build and ship new features within the core Arbor product suite.
Own the successful delivery of high-impact features, directly contributing to the advancement of Arbor products.
Drive the development and implementation of advanced tests for new and existing features, ensuring high test coverage and reliability standards.
Proactively identify, take ownership of, and resolve critical system bugs and issues using advanced problem-solving skills and comprehensive system knowledge.
Maintain high code quality standards through thorough, constructive code reviews, ensuring solutions are well-tested, scalable, and maintainable.
Produce well-architected, efficient, and scalable code by applying industry-leading design patterns and methodologies.
Create and maintain thorough technical documentation and diagrams that promote best practices and ensure clear communication.
Collaborate closely with the Engineering Manager, Tech Lead, QA Engineer, and Product Manager to address feature requests.
Support the Engineering Manager with interviews, scrum ceremonies, and the implementation of strategies to improve and optimise product quality and lead time, demonstrating a comprehensive understanding of the development lifecycle and processes.
Support the Tech Lead in developing technical roadmap solution designs, identifying areas for improvement, prioritising, and executing technical debt reduction.
Act as a role model for technical excellence through code reviews, pair programming, and actively mentoring and coaching mid-level and junior engineers in best practices, fostering knowledge transfer within the team.
Actively lead and participate in tech talks, workshops, and team-based learning initiatives.

Requirements

What you’ll need

Demonstrable experience building back-end services in Python and/or PHP
Comfortable working with both technologies in the long-term
Experience with enterprise solutions and large-scale systems.
Demonstrated knowledge of database technologies (SQL and NoSQL) and best practices for data modelling and performance optimisation.
Proven experience in managing large, technical projects and delivering high-quality, impactful results with minimal supervision.
Proven experience designing and writing APIs and services within a service-oriented environment.
Applies best practices and software engineering principles (e.g., SOLID, DRY) effectively.
Demonstrated knowledge of software best practices, including refactoring, writing clean code, and Test-Driven Development (TDD) and Test Automation.
Understands Scrum methodology or other agile development processes.
Demonstrates leadership through collaboration, mentorship, and a proactive approach to problem-solving.
Possesses excellent written and spoken English skills, with the ability to communicate clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
A driven team player who actively participates in discussions and readily offers assistance to others.
Nice to Have: Prior professional experience building back-end services in both PHP & Python
Domain experience within the UK Ed-Tech space.
PHP: Laminas /Symphony; Python: Fast API.
Service decomposition

Benefits

Comp & perks

A dedicated wellbeing team who champion initiatives such as mindfulness, lunch n learns, manager training, mental health first aid training and much more!
32 days holiday (plus Bank Holidays). This is made up of 25 days annual leave plus 7 extra company wide days given over Easter, Summer & Christmas
Life Assurance paid out at 3x annual salary
Comprehensive wellness benefit provided by AIG Smart Health, which provides a 24/7 virtual GP service, Mental health support, Counselling, and personalised Health Checks
Private Dental Insurance with Bupa
Salary sacrifice Pension provided by Scottish Widows
Enhanced maternity and adoption leave (20 weeks full pay) and paternity (6 weeks full pay) pay
5 free return to work maternity coaching sessions, helping you adapt to this new exciting time of life!
Access to services such as Calm and Bippit (financial wellbeing coaching)
All of our roles champion flexible working and we are happy to discuss what this means to you
Social committees that plan team, office and company wide events to bring people together and celebrate success
Dedicated professional development training budget (CPD courses, upskilling resources, professional memberships etc)
Volunteer with a charity of your choice for a day each year
Dog friendly offices!