Backend PHP Developer - AWS / Serverless

Backend PHP Developer – AWS / Serverless
On-Site – Evanston, IL
Bear Claw is an AI-powered recruiting and applicant tracking platform built to help recruiters work smarter and place top talent faster. Our platform brings the recruiting workflow into one system—from candidate and job management to sourcing, outreach, and team collaboration.
At the center is Cora, our conversational AI assistant, which uses vector search and LLM-powered technology to identify candidate-job matches, surface opportunities, and help recruiters take action faster.
We are looking for a full-time Backend PHP Developer to join our development team and help build and scale the Bear Claw platform.
Our core application is built primarily in PHP with a serverless AWS architecture. We're looking for a developer comfortable working in an established production environment—building new functionality, improving existing services, integrating APIs, and continuing to modernize the platform.
This is a hands-on development role with significant ownership and direct collaboration with our product and development team.
Key Responsibilities
Build and improve backend services using PHP, AWS Lambda, API Gateway, and MySQL
Develop APIs, third-party integrations, and new product functionality
Improve the performance, reliability, and scalability of existing services
Refactor and modernize existing code while troubleshooting production issues
Collaborate on architecture, code reviews, testing, and technical decisions
Required Experience
Strong professional PHP development experience
Hands-on experience with AWS Lambda and serverless architecture
Experience with REST APIs, integrations, and relational databases such as MySQL
Working knowledge of AWS services such as API Gateway, S3, CloudWatch, SQS, and SNS
Comfortable working within an established production codebase and owning projects from development through deployment
Nice to Have
Python and PostgreSQL
Experience with AI/LLM-powered applications
TypeScript / Node.js
Docker, CI/CD, or infrastructure-as-code experience
Experience with vector databases, RAG, LangChain, LlamaIndex, or similar AI technologies
Perks
Competitive base salary with healthcare, dental, vision, and 401(k)
Work closely with a small team where you'll have direct impact on the product
High-performance, collaborative environment focused on building great technology
Multiple career advancement paths, including opportunities to develop specialized technical expertise or move into leadership

Work arrangement
Yes