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