Lead PHP Developer (AI & Data Privacy Compliance)

About the Company

Our client is a profitable SaaS company that's revolutionizing enterprise data privacy with AI-powered solutions. Since 2015, they've built a robust platform that automates GDPR, CCPA, and global privacy compliance for Fortune 500 companies. Their patented Hybrid AI technology processes billions of data points, making privacy management scalable and efficient for enterprises across retail, healthcare, financial services, and technology sectors.

• Position: Lead PHP Developer

• Location: Falls Church, VA or Greenville, DE (hybrid: 2-3 days in office)

• Product: AI-powered privacy compliance and data governance platform (SaaS)

• Start Date: Immediate

This isn't your typical startup - they're profitable, established, and trusted by major enterprise clients while maintaining the innovation and agility of a growing tech company. Their platform handles everything from automated data mapping and PII discovery to consent management and data subject request fulfillment.

The Mission

Our client believes that "Privacy is Freedom" - they're democratizing data privacy by making complex compliance simple and accessible. As a Lead PHP Developer, you'll build technology that protects fundamental digital rights while enabling businesses to operate transparently and ethically in our data-driven world.

The Opportunity

This is a Lead PHP Developer role with serious growth potential. You'll lead technical architecture for a platform that serves Fortune 500 clients, mentor a team of talented developers, and have a direct path to Director of Engineering within 18 months.

You'll not just write code - you'll architect solutions that handle massive scale (billions of data points) while solving some of the most complex technical challenges in privacy and compliance. Plus, you'll work directly with enterprise clients, giving you visibility into how your technical decisions impact real business outcomes.

What You'll Do

Build Enterprise-Scale PHP Applications

• Architect and develop high-performance web applications using PHP and the full LAMP/LEMP stack

• Design RESTful APIs and microservices that handle enterprise-level traffic and data processing

• Optimize database queries, caching strategies, and application performance for Fortune 500 scale

• Implement robust security measures for handling sensitive privacy data

Lead Technical Initiatives

• Drive architectural decisions that impact scalability, reliability, and security

• Lead complex feature implementations and interface redesigns

• Collaborate with product, legal, and compliance teams to translate business requirements into technical solutions

• Build efficient algorithms for processing and analyzing massive privacy datasets

Client-Facing Technical Leadership

• Work directly with Fortune 500 enterprise customers during platform implementations

• Develop custom solutions for specific client privacy and compliance requirements

• Provide technical expertise during client meetings and implementation planning

• Solve complex technical challenges in real-time with enterprise stakeholders

Mentor and Scale the Engineering Team

• Guide and mentor other engineers, fostering technical excellence

• Lead code reviews and establish engineering best practices

• Help grow the team as the company scales

• Balance hands-on development with technical leadership responsibilities

What You Bring

Core Requirements

• 7+ years of software engineering experience (not including internships) with proven expertise in building scalable web applications

• Deep LAMP/LEMP stack knowledge: Advanced PHP, Linux command line, Apache/Nginx, MySQL

• Enterprise application experience: You've built systems that handle significant load and data volume

• Client-facing skills: Comfortable communicating technical concepts to business stakeholders

• Leadership experience: You've mentored developers and led technical projects

• Fast-paced environment adaptability: Startup agility with enterprise-quality standards

• Hybrid work preference: 2-3 days per week in Falls Church, VA or Greenville, DE office

Technical Skills We Value

• Advanced PHP frameworks and modern development practices

• Frontend integration: ReactJS, jQuery, Bootstrap for full-stack development

• API development: RESTful services, AJAX, microservices architecture

• Database optimization: Advanced SQL, experience with NoSQL (MongoDB, Cassandra)

• Infrastructure knowledge: Redis, RabbitMQ, Docker, AWS services

• Development workflow: Git, automated testing, CI/CD practices

• Security focus: Encryption, vulnerability assessment, privacy-by-design principles

• Bonus: AI/ML experience, open-source contributions, security certifications

Key Success Drivers

• Technical ownership mentality: You take pride in building robust, maintainable systems

• Privacy-first mindset: Understanding that your code protects people's fundamental rights

• Enterprise customer focus: Appreciation for the reliability and security expectations of Fortune 500 clients

• Collaborative leadership: Balance between hands-on technical work and guiding other developers

• Continuous learning: Privacy and AI technology evolve rapidly - you stay current with industry trends

Why Join?

Strong Compensation Package

• $124,000–$198,000 pay range, including salary, bonuses, and benefits (negotiable based on skills, experience, certifications, and location)

• Zero-cost healthcare: 100% paid medical, dental, and vision for you and your family (gold plan)

• 401(k) with company match plus company-paid life insurance

• Hybrid flexibility: 2-3 days in office, supporting work-life balance

Exceptional Career Growth

• Clear advancement path: Director of Engineering role within 18 months

• Technical leadership opportunity: Shape architecture for a platform processing billions of data points

• Professional development: Tuition reimbursement and technical training budget

• Industry impact: Work in the rapidly growing privacy compliance market (valued at $4+ billion)

Technical and Personal Fulfillment

• Meaningful impact: Your code will protect privacy rights for millions of users

• Enterprise scale: Build solutions trusted by Fortune 500 companies across every industry

• Cutting-edge technology: Work with patented AI technology and modern development practices

• Profitable company: Financial stability with startup-like innovation and growth opportunities

• Collaborative culture: Work with passionate engineers committed to technical excellence

Work Environment

• Regular team events and professional development opportunities

• Opportunity to influence technical direction and mentor other developers

• Balance of independent work and collaborative problem-solving

Interviewing Process

1. HR Screening: Mutual fit assessment

2. Hiring Manager Interview: Phone discussion covering technical experience and client communication skills

3. On-site Interview: In-office technical evaluation and team introduction

4. Reference and Background Checks: Conducted after successful interviews

5. Job Offer: Extended to the selected candidate

We are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, marital status, ancestry, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, gender identity, or expression, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local law.