Senior Software Developer at Gap Recruitment Services Limited

Why this role exists
As our client's systems grow, they need sound design, strong standards and people who can guide others. This person is the technical anchor of the development team: designing scalable architecture, delivering the most complex features, protecting quality and security, and developing junior developers.

What you are expected to achieve

• Design architecture and technical specifications
  • Turn business needs into clear designs and technical specifications.
  • What success looks like: designs agreed with stakeholders before build starts, and few major changes after development begins.
• Deliver high-quality, scalable features
  • Lead development using Laravel, React, Next.js and C#, and write clean, efficient code.
  • What success looks like: complex features shipped on time, meeting performance and security requirements.
• Own database design and performance
  • Design, optimise and manage MySQL and MongoDB databases, and design and integrate APIs and other system integrations.
  • What success looks like: fast, reliable queries, with performance problems identified and fixed early.
• Set and protect quality and security standards
  • Lead code reviews, define coding and testing standards, and apply secure development practices.
  • What success looks like: fewer defects reaching production, and no major security findings traced to development.
• Mentor and lead developers
  • Coach junior developers, review their work and help them improve.
  • What success looks like: junior developers delivering more independently and with higher quality over time.
• Own projects and communicate delivery
  • Gather and analyse requirements with stakeholders, estimate work, track progress and raise risks early.
  • What success looks like: realistic estimates, predictable releases and clear updates to stakeholders.
• Support existing systems and improve the way we build
  • Handle escalated issues and recommend better tools and processes.
  • What success looks like: escalations resolved quickly, and measurable improvements to the development process.

Key Performance Expectations and Milestones

• First 30 days: Learn the systems and architecture, review the codebase, and document technical risks and quick wins.
• By day 90: Deliver your first major feature end to end, and agree coding, review and testing standards with the team.
• By month 6: Show more predictable delivery and fewer defects, with junior developers regularly receiving your reviews and coaching.
• By month 12: Deliver clear improvements to scalability and performance, show progress by those you mentor, and take a proactive role in shaping the technical direction.

Who we are looking for (minimum needed to achieve the above)

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Information Technology or a related field.
• Minimum of five (5) years' experience in software development.
• Demonstrated experience designing, developing and supporting complex software solutions.
• Strong leadership, mentoring and project ownership capabilities.
• Experience with modern development frameworks (PHP Laravel, C#, React, Next.js), databases (MySQL, MongoDB) and system integrations.
• Candidates must have remained with at least one employer for a minimum of two (2) consecutive years, demonstrating stability and commitment in previous roles.