Backend Developer Mid

We are seeking a Backend Developer (PHP/Laravel) to build, maintain, and extend the server-side infrastructure of a TMS platform with integrated AI features. This role involves working in an existing production codebase not a greenfield build and owning the API layer that serves both the web frontend and a React Native mobile app. The developer will also build and maintain the backend infrastructure that powers LLM-based chatbot tools, document processing pipelines, and real-time shipment operations. Key Responsibilities • Build and maintain RESTful APIs exposing TMS business logic cleanly for the web frontend, mobile app, and chatbot layer • Work in and extend an existing production Laravel codebase — improve, refactor, and remove features without breaking live systems • Implement and maintain Laravel authentication systems: OAuth, Sanctum, or Passport • Design and optimize PostgreSQL/MySQL schemas: migrations, indexing, query optimization, and schema changes on live data • Build and maintain webhook and event-driven systems for real-time shipment status updates and automation • Implement role-based access control across multiple products with different user permission structures • Integrate queue systems (Redis, Bull, or RabbitMQ) for background jobs and async processing • Build and maintain third-party integrations: ELD systems, carrier APIs, mapping/routing, QuickBooks, Twilio, Mailgun, etc. • Build and maintain push notification infrastructure: Firebase Cloud Messaging (Android) and Apple Push Notification Service (iOS) • Build APIs that handle offline sync — reconciling actions taken by mobile users without connectivity • Build API endpoints that serve as tools for LLMs (function calling architecture) • Build document processing pipelines: receiving, storing, routing documents to an OCR service, and handling the response • Implement input validation and prompt injection safeguards when passing user input to an LLM • Integrate with Anthropic or OpenAI SDKs at the API level — not just through wrappers • Maintain Git discipline: branching strategy, code reviews, and clean commit history across two products

Qualifications: Must-Have (Non-Negotiable) • 3+ years backend development in PHP/Laravel (version 9+) • Experience building and maintaining RESTful APIs — specifically exposing business logic cleanly for downstream consumers (frontend, mobile, chatbot layer) • Laravel authentication systems: OAuth, Sanctum, or Passport • Proven experience working in existing production codebases — not just greenfield builds. Specific examples required. • PostgreSQL or MySQL at a deep level: migrations, indexing, query optimization, and handling live data while making schema changes • Experience with feature removal and refactoring in live systems • Experience with microservices architecture • Git proficiency: branching strategy, code reviews, and commit discipline — keeping the repo clean while working across two products Strong Preference • Experience with multi-tenant SaaS architecture • Has built or maintained webhook and event-driven systems (real-time shipment status updates, automation triggers) • Understands API rate limiting and role-based access control across multiple products with different permission structures • Experience with queue systems: Redis, Bull, or RabbitMQ • Experience with third-party integrations: ELD systems, carrier APIs, mapping/routing services, QuickBooks, Twilio, Mailgun, etc. • Experience with push notification infrastructure: Firebase Cloud Messaging or Apple Push Notification Service • Experience building APIs that handle offline sync for mobile apps reconciling actions taken without connectivity AI-Specific Backend Requirements • Has built API endpoints that serve as tools for an LLM — understands function calling architecture, not just that it exists • Experience with document processing pipelines: receiving, storing, and routing documents to an OCR service and handling the structured response • Understands prompt injection risks and input validation when user input is being passed directly to an LLM • Comfortable working with Anthropic or OpenAI SDKs at the API level — not just through wrappers or abstraction layers