PHP Developer (AI & OpenSearch Integration) - PT/FT - Worldwide

Job Title: PHP Developer – AI & OpenSearch Integration

About Us:

DesignForce Marketing is a lean, innovative team based in Michigan, focused on building cutting-edge marketing and internal tools. We’ve developed our own custom email system built on PHP and Symfony, with integrations into Google Gmail API, OpenSearch, and AI technologies, and are looking for a talented developer to help us elevate our platform.

Role Overview:

We’re seeking a skilled PHP developer to enhance our internal email system by integrating AI functionality, optimizing search capabilities, and ensuring high-quality code across our platform. This role focuses primarily on backend development but may involve some frontend work for integrating AI-driven UI components.

This is a contract/freelance role initially, with the potential to extend to multiple projects or full-time engagement depending on performance.

Key Responsibilities:

• Integrate AI functionality using OpenAI API into our internal email system (e.g., auto-responses, email summarization, intent detection, urgency and sentiment analysis, polished responses).
• Audit and optimize OpenSearch integration to ensure accurate, fast, and Google-like search results within the email system.
• Implement backend enhancements in PHP using Symfony framework.
• Develop lightweight frontend components using Tailwind CSS, Turbo Stimulus, and Material Web Components as needed.
• Ensure email templates, branding, and signatures are consistently applied.
• Collaborate with the team to define project requirements, estimate timelines, and deliver high-quality code with minimal oversight.
• Troubleshoot, debug, and optimize system performance and integrations.

Must-Have Skills:

• Strong PHP experience, particularly with the Symfony framework.
• Experience with OpenAI API or similar AI integration.
• MySQL and Redis database knowledge.
• Excellent English communication skills for clear collaboration in a remote environment.

Nice-to-Have Skills:

• OpenSearch experience for auditing and optimization.
• Frontend development experience with Tailwind CSS, Turbo Stimulus, or Material Web Components.
• Experience with email systems or templating frameworks.

What We’re Looking For:

• Self-starter who can hit the ground running without constant supervision.
• Ability to work independently, troubleshoot issues, and deliver solutions quickly.
• Passion for clean, maintainable code and scalable architecture.
• Someone who can contribute strategically, not just execute tasks.