Lead Totara Developer (12-15 Years)

Job Description

Role Overview

Lead Totara Developer with expertise in Totara LMS and strong PHP, database, and API development skills. The ideal candidate should have excellent communication skills, be capable of understanding and troubleshooting existing Totara code, and work towards enhancing and optimizing LMS performance. While prior experience in Docker and PHP Unit testing is a plus, the ability to understand and modify existing LMS code with minimal supervision is crucial.

Key Responsibilities

Technical Responsibilities:

• Develop, customize, and optimize Totara LMS to meet business and user needs.
• Read and interpret existing Totara code to troubleshoot, enhance, and integrate new functionalities.
• Implement and refine Totara API usage for enhanced system functionality.
• Conduct database queries, including JOIN operations, ensuring efficiency and accuracy.
• Identify and fix security vulnerabilities, including XSS and SQL injection risks.
• Implement and maintain unit testing (PHPUnit) for custom features and improvements.
• Optimize LMS performance, including troubleshooting slow database queries and system lag.

Functional Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to understand requirements and translate them into technical implementations.
• Guide junior developers in best practices related to Totara customization and PHP development.
• Participate in code reviews and documentation to maintain high development standards.
• Work closely with QA and DevOps teams to ensure smooth deployment and version control.
• Ensure compliance with e-learning standards like SCORM, xAPI, and LTI.

Required Technical Skills:

• Totara LMS Development – Experience in customizing, troubleshooting, and extending LMS functionalities.
• PHP – Strong hands-on experience in writing and reviewing secure, optimized PHP code.
• Database Management – Ability to write efficient SQL queries, including JOIN operations.
• API Development – Familiarity with Totara APIs like get_string(), web services, and RESTful API integration.
• Security Best Practices – Knowledge of preventing XSS vulnerabilities, input validation, and sanitization.
• Performance Optimization – Ability to analyze and optimize LMS performance issues.

Preferred Skills & Tools:

• Docker & Containerization – Understanding of containerized LMS deployments.
• Unit Testing (PHPUnit) – Experience in writing and executing automated tests for PHP-based applications.
• DevOps & CI/CD – Familiarity with Git, Jenkins, and automated deployment workflows.
• Cloud & Server Management – Experience with AWS, Linux, and Nginx/Apache.

Soft Skills & Competencies:

• Excellent communication skills – Ability to clearly articulate technical concepts and collaborate with teams.
• Problem-solving mindset – Capable of troubleshooting and identifying root causes in LMS issues.
• Self-driven & Independent – Can read and modify existing LMS code with minimal guidance.
• Attention to detail – Ensures code quality, security, and performance optimizations.