Senior Moodle / LMS / PHP Developer

This is a remote position.Senior Moodle / LMS / PHP DeveloperFull-Stack · Moodle · E-Learning Standards & IntegrationsDepartmentEngineering / Learning TechnologyReports ToCTO / VP of EngineeringEmployment TypeFull-TimeLocationUS (Remote / Hybrid)Experience5+ Years Moodle DevelopmentAbout the RoleWe are looking for a seasoned Senior WordPress & LMS Developer with deep expertise in Moodle, custom PHP development, and e-learning standards. You will architect, build, and maintain robust Moodle-based learning management systems serving thousands of learners — owning everything from database schema and REST API design to pixel-perfect front-end components and third-party integrations.This is a high-impact, highly autonomous role suited to someone who thrives at the intersection of Moodle platform engineering and modern educational technology.MoodleMoodle PluginsPHP 8+MySQLSCORMxAPI / Tin CanLTI 1.3REST APIReact / JSSASS / CSSGoogle ClassroomMindsmithZoom LTIMoodle CLIDockerCI/CDKey ResponsibilitiesPlatform Architecture & Development▸Design, develop, and maintain a scalable, high-availability Moodle platform — including site architecture, database optimisation, caching layers (Redis/Memcached), and multi-tenant or multi-instance configurations.▸Write clean, well-documented PHP 8+ code following OOP principles and Moodle's own coding style, APIs, and security guidelines (capability system, sesskey, SQL API).▸Build and maintain custom Moodle plugins (activity modules, blocks, authentication plugins, enrolment plugins, local plugins) following Moodle coding standards and plugin API conventions.▸Develop and customise Moodle themes using the Boost/Classic inheritance model, ensuring responsive, accessible, and branded learner experiences.E-Learning Standards & Integrations▸Implement and troubleshoot SCORM 1.2 / 2004 course packaging, runtime communication, and completion tracking.▸Integrate xAPI (Tin Can) statements with Learning Record Stores (LRS) such as SCORM Cloud, Learning Locker, or custom solutions.▸Configure and maintain LTI (Learning Tools Interoperability) 1.1 and 1.3 / Advantage connections between WordPress/LifterLMS and third-party tools.▸Implement CMI5 course delivery where required, ensuring spec-compliant AU launch and data reporting.Full-Stack UI & Front-End▸Develop responsive, accessible front-end experiences using modern JavaScript (ES6+) and Moodle's AMD/RequireJS module system, including custom Mustache templates and YUI/jQuery where required by legacy components.▸Integrate with Google Classroom via LTI Advantage (1.3), managing rostering, grade passback, and deep linking.▸Optimise Moodle performance via caching configuration, theme asset minification, and database query profiling. Ensure WCAG 2.1 AA accessibility compliance across all learner-facing interfaces.▸Collaborate with UX/UI designers and instructional designers to translate wireframes into polished Moodle theme components and activity layouts.Integrations & Automation▸Integrate Google Classroom with Moodle via LTI Advantage 1.3 — managing course rostering, assignment creation, grade passback, and deep linking.▸Configure Mindsmith-authored content for xAPI reporting, ensuring completion events and scores flow correctly to the LRS and Moodle gradebook.▸Connect third-party services (CRMs, HR/talent systems, videoconferencing) via Moodle's REST/SOAP web services API, external database enrolment, and custom authentication plugins.▸Design and document Moodle web service functions for mobile app support, headless consumers, and third-party system integrations.▸Integrate Zoom via LTI Pro to enable instructors and learners to launch, schedule, and record meetings directly within the LMS — including grade/attendance passback where applicable.▸Manage authentication flows including SSO via SAML 2.0 / OAuth 2.0 / OpenID Connect.DevOps, Performance & Security▸Manage CI/CD pipelines for Moodle plugin and theme deployment using Git, GitHub Actions, or similar toolchains, including automated Moodle code checker (PHPUnit, Behat) test runs.▸Configure and optimise Moodle hosting environments (Nginx, Apache, PHP-FPM) on cloud infrastructure (AWS, GCP, or Azure), including Moodle's cron architecture and task scheduling.▸Conduct regular security audits, manage Moodle version upgrades, apply patches, and implement hardening measures specific to Moodle environments.▸Monitor, profile, and resolve performance bottlenecks in PHP, MySQL, and front-end assets.Collaboration & Leadership▸Lead code reviews, establish engineering standards, and mentor junior developers.▸Translate business and instructional-design requirements into clear technical specifications.▸Communicate progress, risks, and architectural decisions clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.Required Qualifications▸5+ years of professional Moodle development including custom plugin authorship, theme development, and platform administration.▸Deep hands-on expertise with Moodle's plugin AP