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Arsenal Studios is expanding, and we’re looking for a full-time Backend Web Developer. Your main role will be to help build websites, web applications, and integrations for our fast-growing custom web development business, working closely with our in-house design, development, and strategy teams. You’ll help create new solutions and maintain or enhance existing ones that support long-term marketing initiatives.

Important: At this time, we can only hire residents of the United States, Canada, or Mexico. This is not a design role, but curiosity and interest in interdisciplinary collaboration are welcome.

In this position, you will work with our internal teams to build, customize, and configure websites using WordPress, HubSpot, and other content management systems, as well as develop web applications using a range of technologies described below.

About Working for Arsenal Studios
Arsenal Studios is an ethical digital marketing agency that has operated remotely since the beginning. Since 2008, our growth has been driven by delivering high-quality work and building honest, collaborative relationships with our clients. Many clients work with us across numerous projects due to our expertise and problem-solving abilities.

Culture
You must be honest, sincere, personable, and comfortable communicating via phone, email, and video chat. Our shared values include:

• Passion for learning: You should be self-driven and eager to share knowledge.
• Accountability: We deliver what we promise, on time and on budget.
• Teamwork: We support one another and succeed together.
• Agility: You’ll handle diverse projects across multiple industries and tech stacks.
• Positivity: We keep things upbeat—no chronic negativity.
• Respect: We value each other’s time by avoiding unnecessary meetings and unclear requirements, and by communicating proactively.
• Acceptance: We embrace each other as we are and work collectively toward shared goals.

Remote Workplace
We’ve been fully remote since 2008 and can hire anywhere in North America. We work standard East Coast business hours, with some flexibility as needed.

Role & Requirements
We are looking for a full-time remote Web Developer with strong PHP and JavaScript experience. You should have at least two years of professional development experience and a passion for building efficient, maintainable applications. Knowledge of Angular or NestJS is a plus, as is familiarity with CSS. If you are detail-oriented, proactive, and comfortable working independently, we’d love to hear from you.

Our team collaborates on several projects at once. We hold three stand-up meetings per week, with additional sessions as needed. After onboarding, you will receive coding assignments. Support and code review are available, but you’ll be expected to take initiative and communicate needs clearly.

Key Responsibilities:
• Build applications, APIs, and backend systems using PHP and JavaScript
• Maintain existing PHP and JavaScript applications
• Assist in migrating legacy projects to modern technologies, often from PHP to JavaScript
• Help design new build tools, automated testing systems, and workflows
• Develop custom marketing site features (often by extending CMS platforms like WordPress, HubSpot, Wagtail, etc.)
• Write clean, efficient, maintainable code
• Produce clear, organized documentation
• Participate in code reviews as both reviewer and contributor
• Communicate effectively via Slack, video calls, and project management tools

Qualifications:
• At least 2 years of professional web development experience with emphasis on PHP and backend JavaScript (more is welcome, and pay will reflect experience)
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to provide clear progress updates
• Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail
• Solid writing ability for code comments, documentation, and status updates
• Familiarity with Git, Bash or similar CLI tools, and VS Code or comparable IDE
• Basic understanding of RESTful and related API design patterns

Nice to Have – Experience With:
• Angular and/or NestJS
• Doctrine
• WordPress theme development
• Wagtail / Python / Django
• Node.js
• API design and development
• ORM frameworks
• Modern build tools (e.g., WebPack, SnowPack)
• Developing both websites and web applications

Familiarity With:
• HTML, CSS, and frontend JavaScript
• SQL

Why We’re Great
We are a small, supportive, and energetic team with outstanding client and employee retention. Our projects are unique and often unlike anything you’ve worked on before, thanks to our strong ties to the education and nonprofit fields.

This is a brand-new role created for growth. You won’t replace anyone. We rarely hire because our team is stable and happy, making this a unique opportunity.

On a personal level, we are a close-knit, respectful team that genuinely looks out for one another. We value your well-being, and your work will never be exploited. We truly care about each team member’s happiness and growth.

A Safe and Supportive Workplace
Creating a diverse and inclusive environment has always been central to our values. As an agency creating products for a broad user base, we believe our team should reflect that diversity. We welcome and support people of all backgrounds and do not discriminate based on race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, religion, beliefs, or any other aspect of identity or experience.

Compensation & Benefits
As a small company, we can customize benefits to your needs. We offer competitive regional salaries, excellent health insurance if you choose to enroll, and an annual tech budget. Tell us what matters most to you in your cover letter—more vacation time, additional pay instead of insurance, or something else—and we’ll work together to create a package that supports your long-term success.

• Competitive salary
• 40-hour work week with flexible scheduling
• Fully remote
• Inclusive, supportive culture
• Parental leave
• 25 days of annual leave to start (2 standard weeks + 3 flex days + 12 holidays + additional paid vacation each year + negotiable extra time off)
• Stipend for tech and office supplies
• Stipend for professional development and conferences
• Quality health insurance with employer contribution or additional pay if you decline coverage

Application Process

Apply
If this role sounds like a fit, email the address below with your cover letter and résumé, along with your portfolio or links to your work.

Review & Code Screening
We will follow up with initial questions and a short take-home code challenge that should take no more than 30 minutes. This is the only test in the process, and if you move forward, we will compensate you for your time regardless of the outcome. This helps us filter out bots and scams in today’s job market.

Initial Meeting
A short conversation with leadership to ensure alignment regarding culture and project expectations.

Direct Report Interview
Meet the dev leadership team for a walkthrough of daily responsibilities, upcoming projects, and skill-fit analysis. You’ll be asked for code samples, project explanations, and details about your experience.

Meet Your Peers
A full-team virtual roundtable where you can ask and answer questions until everyone feels confident and comfortable.