Full Stack Web Developer

• *Build the systems behind millions of players**

Distinctive Developments is an established mobile games developer and publisher based in Sheffield City Centre. We create fresh, inclusive, accessible sports games enjoyed by millions of players worldwide, including titles such as Rugby Nations and Hockey All Stars.

We’re a small, experienced, and friendly team focused on building high-quality sports games - and the powerful online systems that support them.

We’re now looking for a Full Stack Web Developer to work in our Sheffield City Centre office to help evolve our internal tooling, live-ops systems, and online services.

• *The Role**

This is not a “small cog in a big corporate machine” position.

You’ll play a central role in designing, building, and improving the internal tools and backend systems that power all of our games - from live-ops configuration and analytics dashboards to online game services used by millions of players.

Initially you’ll primarily work with PHP/Laravel and MySQL, while also contributing to and expanding into Java-based backend systems and AWS infrastructure as the platform evolves.

We’re looking for someone who is comfortable taking ownership, solving problems independently, and helping shape systems - not someone who needs a heavy process or large corporate structure to operate.

• *Essential Skills
• Strong experience with PHP and Laravel
• Solid understanding of MySQL and database design
• Experience building responsive web frontends (HTML/CSS/JavaScript)
• Understanding of API design and JSON-based systems
• Knowledge of cloud-hosted environments
• Ability to work independently and take initiative
• Clear communication skills and a collaborative mindset
• *Desirable Skills
• Experience with Java (J2EE or backend services)
• Experience with AWS (RDS, S3, DynamoDB, Elasticache, etc.)
• Understanding of online security and session management best practices
• Experience with Maven
• Exposure to live-ops systems, analytics dashboards, or game services
• Interest in sports and/or games

We care more about practical ability, curiosity, and ownership than corporate pedigree.

• *The Kind of Person Who Will Thrive Here
• You enjoy building systems from the ground up.
• You like understanding how everything fits together.
• You don’t wait to be told exactly what to do.
• You’re comfortable making technical decisions.
• You want your work to have a visible impact.
• You prefer a small, focused team over a heavy corporate process.
• *Benefits
• Competitive salary (based on experience)
• Pension scheme
• Flexible working hours
• Sheffield City Centre location
• Casual dress
• Annual profit-based bonus
• *Why Join Us?**

At Distinctive Developments, your work won’t disappear into layers of management. You’ll help build and shape the systems that power live games played across the world.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: Up to £50,000.00 per year

Benefits

• Casual dress
• Company pension
• Sick pay
• Work from home

Ability to commute/relocate

• Sheffield S1 2JA: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Work authorisation

• United Kingdom (required)

Work Location: In person