Senior PHP/Symfony Technical Resource to manage and maintain web/app servers (PHP runtime), framework (Symfony), job/queue services, and file/object storag

Expected Start Date: May 1, 2026.

Duration: Engagement expected to last 665 hours (5-7 months)

Work Location: Primarily remote using collaboration tools such as MS Teams.

Must Haves

• 8+ years professional experience designing, building, and modernizing PHP applications, with 5+ years in Symfony (including at least 3 successful framework/runtime upgrade projects).

• Demonstrated experience operating secure, production web applications (hardening, patching, secrets management, SSO/OAuth/SAML integrations TBD).

• Strong background with relational databases (DBMS TBD; e.g., MySQL/MariaDB/PostgreSQLr), including performance tuning and operational reliability; experience implementing backup/restore and DR strategies.

• Proven track record implementing scheduling/constraint logic, or other complex business rules engines, at scale (education domain experience is a very strong asset).

• Hands-on experience designing RESTful integrations and data import pipelines, including validation, reconciliation, and error handling.

• Familiarity with DevOps/CI/CD (e.g., GitHub Actions/Azure DevOps/GitLab), containerization (Docker/Kubernetes TBD), automated testing, and environment promotion.

• Working knowledge of accessibility (AODA/WCAG 2.1 AA) and privacy considerations (FIPPA/PIPEDA), and the ability to reflect these in technical designs and UIs.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; experience engaging Business Analysts and SMEs to co-create clear acceptance criteria and documentation; ability to present technical topics to senior IT leadership.

• Organized, detail-oriented, self-directed, capable of balancing feature delivery with operational stability under time constraints (e.g., exam periods).

• Assets: Higher education SIS/ERP familiarity (e.g., PeopleSoft/SOLUS data flows), PHP 8.x performance features, Symfony, and modern frontend stacks as applicable to Ventus.

The Service Provider must supply the following information as part of the proposal:

Candidate Background:

• A detailed description of the candidate’s overall qualifications and experience.

• This should include the resource's knowledge, skills, and expertise in delivering similar professional services.

Candidate References:

• A list of at least two references with contact information where similar professional services were provided.

• A description of the relevant experience of the individual(s) to be assigned to this work should be included.

• References may be contacted as part of the review process.

Availability:

• Availability of the candidate to participate in a phone/video chat interview.