Full-Stack Software Engineer; PHP), Brand Studio

Full-Stack Software Engineer (PHP), Brand Studio (12-month contract)

Toronto, Canada

This will be a remote, 12-month temporary role, with plans to transition to hybrid in-office 2x/week located in downtown Toronto.

About Open Table:

With millions of diners, 60,000+ restaurant partners and 25+ years of experience, Open Table, part of Booking Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: BKNG), is an industry leader with a passion for helping restaurants thrive. Our world-class technology empowers restaurants to focus on what matters most – their team, their guests, and their bottom line – while enabling diners to discover and book the perfect restaurant for every occasion.

Every employee at Open Table has a tangible impact on what we do and how we do it. You’ll also be part of a global team and its portfolio of metasearch brands. Hospitality is all about taking care of others, and it defines our culture.

What we’re looking for:

We're seeking an experienced Software Engineer with expertise on the Word Press platform, spanning both development and infrastructure, to join our Website Experience team. The ideal candidate will be responsible for building and evolving our website, including new features, products, design implementations, and integrations. You should have experience creating scalable, high-performance web solutions and expertise in optimizing database queries for Word Press environments.

We value comfort with modern development workflows including Git, CI/CD pipelines, and familiarity with hosting infrastructure. A collaborative mindset is essential, as you'll work closely with marketing, design, and content teams. Your problem‑solving approach should enable you to overcome technical challenges while meeting business objectives. We're looking for someone with a continuous learning mindset who stays current with Word Press and technology trends.

Finally, we value initiative and self‑direction — someone who can proactively identify opportunities to improve our website rather than just responding to requests.

In this role, you will:

• Word Press Development:
  Build and maintain custom Word Press websites using Gutenberg, ACF, and relevant plugins or frameworks. Ensure sites are optimized for performance and scalability.
• Multi-language Development:
  Implement multilingual website features, ensuring the content is easily accessible in multiple languages.
• SEO Optimization:
  Work with SEO stakeholders to ensure websites are optimized for SEO best practices, including fast-loading pages, structured data, and clean markup.
• Custom Gutenberg Blocks:
  Develop custom Gutenberg blocks tailored to project needs for reusable and dynamic content management.
• Custom Fields & Templates:
  Experience with ACF Builder.
• API Integrations:
  Work with APIs and third-party services to extend site functionality, including map services, video platforms, CRM systems, or other business tools.
• Accessibility Standards (WCAG 2.1):
  Implement and maintain accessibility standards to ensure websites are inclusive for all users, adhering to WCAG 2.1 guidelines.
• Performance Optimization:
  Optimize website performance through techniques like caching, lazy loading, image compression, and reducing HTTP requests for faster load times. Implement and monitor performance metrics using tools like GTmetrix and Lighthouse.
• Security Implementation:
  Implement Word Press security best practices, including hardening measures, security plugins configuration, and regular security audits. Monitor and address potential vulnerabilities.
• Technical Leadership:
  Conduct code reviews, mentor junior developers, and contribute to technical documentation and development standards.
• Collaborate with Cross-Functional Teams:
  Work closely with design, content, and marketing teams to ensure alignment between business goals, user needs, and technical feasibility.
• Bug Fixes & Troubleshooting:
  Identify, troubleshoot, and resolve technical issues related to Word Press development to ensure the smooth functioning of the website.
• Documentation:
  Maintain documentation of development processes and workflows for internal and client reference.

Please apply if you have/are:

• Experience:
  
  Proven experience as a Word…