PHP Developer Job Description, KRAs and Skills

A PHP Developer builds and maintains websites and web applications in PHP, from custom code to content management systems. At the entry level they build features, work with MySQL and fix bugs under senior guidance. A good junior PHP developer writes clean, secure code, handles databases well and keeps existing sites running smoothly. The role sits in a web development team or agency and reports to a technical lead or senior developer, delivering assigned work and learning PHP frameworks and the wider web stack.

Detail	For this role
Department	Information Technology
Level	Entry level
Reports to	Technical Lead
Direct reports	None
Experience	Fresher or up to 2 years in PHP development

PHP Developer job description template

Copy this job description, replace the text in square brackets and post it on your careers page or a job portal.

Job title: PHP Developer

Department: Information Technology

Reports to: Technical Lead

Location: [City], [office, branch or site]

About the role

Key responsibilities

Build and change website and application features in PHP from clear tasks and briefs.
Work with MySQL to read, write and update data for the features you build.
Write and consume simple APIs to connect the site with other services.
Guard against common web security risks such as injection and cross site scripting.
Maintain and fix existing PHP sites, including content management systems.
Build forms, validation and user flows that behave correctly for visitors.
Test your work across browsers and confirm fixes before handing over.
Optimise pages and queries so sites load quickly for users.
Raise clean code changes and act on review feedback from seniors.
Learn a PHP framework and modern web practices with senior support.

Requirements

Graduate in computer science, IT or engineering
Working knowledge of PHP and MySQL
Experience with a framework or CMS is an advantage
Fresher or up to 2 years in PHP development

KRAs and KPIs for a PHP Developer

Key result areas for the appraisal form, each with a KPI you can measure every month or quarter.

Key result area	How to measure it
Delivery	Assigned features and fixes delivered within the agreed timeline
Code quality	Code changes pass review with limited rework
Security	No common web vulnerability found in own code during review
Defect rate	Bugs from own work kept low after handover
Page performance	Pages and queries in own features meet load time targets
Learning	New PHP framework and web skills picked up each quarter

Skills and tools

Core PHPMySQLHTML, CSS and JavaScript basicsWeb security basicsA PHP framework or CMSAPI basicsGitAttention to detailWillingness to learn

Tools used day to day: PHP, MySQL, VS Code, Composer, Git, XAMPP or Docker.

Reporting line and career path

Moves up from: Web Development Trainee, Intern, Fresher
Next roles: Senior PHP Developer, Laravel Developer, Full Stack Developer

Interview questions for a PHP Developer

How do you connect to a MySQL database and run a query safely in PHP?
What is SQL injection and how do you prevent it?
What is the difference between GET and POST requests?
How do you handle sessions and cookies in PHP?
How would you speed up a slow PHP page?
Tell me about a PHP site you built or maintained.

Managing a PHP Developer in ZeniaHR

AttendanceOffice or hybrid on a general shift, common in web agencies and product teams. Office days use web punch on the approved office network, and work from home days use mobile app punch with a location check, within the limit in the work terms policy.LeaveDuring probation, the probation queue signals when the confirmation review is due, so raise it with the manager in time. Leave routes to the reporting manager and then HR, and the apply preview shows sandwiched days before submission.Performance and KRAsSet the KRAs above as goals in the review cycle and track delivery and security each month. Confirm the developer through the manager's probation review rated 1 to 5, then hold the formal review every quarter.

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Frequently asked questions

What does a PHP developer do?

A PHP developer builds and maintains websites and web applications in PHP, from custom code to content management systems. They build features, work with MySQL, write and consume APIs and guard against web security risks. At the entry level they deliver assigned work, maintain existing sites and learn PHP frameworks with support from senior developers.

Is PHP still worth learning in India?

Yes. A large share of the web still runs on PHP, including WordPress and many custom sites, and frameworks like Laravel keep it modern. Indian web agencies and product firms hire PHP developers steadily. Learning core PHP, MySQL, security basics and a framework gives freshers a practical route into web development.

What is the difference between core PHP and Laravel?

Core PHP means writing code with the language directly, without a framework, giving full control but more manual work. Laravel is a framework built on PHP that provides structure, an ORM, routing and security features so you build faster. Learn core PHP first to understand the basics, then a framework like Laravel to work efficiently.