Cog Culture
Website:
cogculture.agency
Job details:
About the Role
We're not looking for someone who manages from a distance and forwards Jira tickets. We're looking for a builder — someone who can design and ship robust tech products hands-on, while keeping the organisation's IT engine running smoothly in the background. If you're equally comfortable whiteboarding a microservices architecture and owning backend systems end-to-end, this role was written for you.
What You'll Do
Product & Software Development
- Lead the design, development, and deployment of web-based products and platforms using PHP and related frameworks (Laravel, CodeIgniter, or similar).
- Build and maintain scalable backend systems, APIs, and microservices engineered to grow without groaning.
- Own the full software development lifecycle — from architecture decisions all the way through to production deployment.
- Uphold code quality, security best practices, and performance optimisation across every product in the stack.
- Work directly with founders and cross-functional teams to translate business requirements into clean, reliable technical solutions.
Backend Development
- Architect and develop robust server-side logic, ensuring high performance, responsiveness, and seamless integration with front-end components.
- Design and manage RESTful APIs that are clean, well-documented, and built to be consumed reliably by internal and external systems.
- Build and optimise database schemas, queries, and data models across MySQL, PostgreSQL, or similar relational databases.
- Implement authentication, authorisation, and data security protocols at the backend layer.
- Manage background jobs, queuing systems, and asynchronous processes to keep application performance tight and predictable.
- Monitor, debug, and resolve backend performance bottlenecks before they become user-facing problems.
AI/ML Awareness & Integration
- Identify opportunities where AI/ML can meaningfully enhance products or operations — with purpose, not just because it's trending.
- Collaborate on or guide AI/ML integrations where relevant — chatbots, recommendation logic, intelligent automation, and similar use cases.
- Stay across developments in Generative AI and LLMs well enough to advise the founding team on what's genuinely worth exploring.
IT Infrastructure
- Oversee the organisation's IT infrastructure, enterprise tools, and internal systems — keeping everything secure, compliant, and consistently available.
- Set up and maintain internal IT processes and policies that streamline operations rather than slow them down.
- Ensure data privacy and security are built into systems from the ground up, not bolted on as an afterthought.
Your Technical Toolkit
- 4-6 years of overall tech experience with strong, hands-on expertise in PHP development — Laravel, CodeIgniter, or similar frameworks.
- Solid front-end proficiency across HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and React JS, with hands-on RESTful API development experience.
- Deep command of relational databases — MySQL, PostgreSQL, or similar — including schema design, query optimisation, and data modelling.
- Experience with server-side architecture, background processing, caching strategies, and API security best practices.
- Hands-on experience with at least one major cloud platform — AWS, Azure, or GCP.
- Working knowledge of AI/ML concepts — how models function, where they add value in products, and how to integrate AI-based APIs effectively.
- Familiarity with IT infrastructure management and networking fundamentals.
Good to Have
- Experience integrating third-party AI/ML APIs or tools such as OpenAI, Google AI, or AWS AI services.
- Familiarity with MLOps concepts or data pipelines — you don't need to build them from scratch, but confident oversight matters.
- Knowledge of Agile/Scrum development practices.
Who You Are
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, IT, or a related field.
- A hands-on problem-solver with a track record of leading by doing.
- Experienced managing small tech teams or operating in a startup or founder-led environment — comfortable with ownership and adaptable to shifting priorities.
- A strong communicator who can bridge technical complexity and business context without losing either audience.
- Familiar with Agile/Scrum practices and knows when to apply structure and when to stay nimble.
The Bottom Line
If you've built products from scratch, owned backend systems end-to-end, kept IT infrastructure solid, and occasionally integrated AI into the mix — all within the same role — you already know what this looks like. Now it has a title. Let's talk.
Click on Apply to know more.