Full Stack Software Engineer (PHP / React)

Come shape the future of education with us.

At School Bytes, we’re transforming the way schools manage their day-to-day operations - from finance and payments to communication, events and administration.

Our platform is built specifically for Australian schools, with a strong focus on the needs of NSW public schools, helping them operate more efficiently and reduce administrative burden.

Backed by the Compass Education, we combine the pace and ownership of a product-focused team with the scale and impact of a broader education technology ecosystem supporting thousands of schools globally.

We’re now looking for a Full Stack Software Engineer to join our team!

About the Role & Team

As a Software Engineer, you’ll play a key role in building and evolving the systems that schools rely on every day.

This role blends hands-on development with problem-solving, creativity and continuous learning. You’ll design and build scalable systems that are secure, maintainable and intuitive to use, while contributing to the ongoing improvement of our platform.

You’ll work across a modern web stack including PHP and React, collaborating closely with Product and Design to deliver practical, high-impact solutions for schools.

At Compass, you will:

• Write clean, maintainable and high-quality code across a platform used by schools at scale.
• Champion engineering best practices including software craftsmanship, clean code and collaborative development.
• Analyse problems deeply, uncover complexity and design solutions that balance technical feasibility with real-world business & school needs.
• Actively contribute to sprint planning, technical design sessions and retrospectives with thoughtful, evidence-based input.
• Collaborate closely with Product Managers and Designers to ensure solutions align with customer outcomes.
• Communicate ideas clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Stay current with modern tools, frameworks and development practices, applying learnings to improve the product.
• Contribute to improving team processes, code quality and overall engineering standards.

Requirements:
About You

We are always on the lookout for individuals who are able to bring a high level of energy and a positive can-do attitude to our team. If you are someone who is passionate about coding and loves keeping up to date with new technologies - then we want to speak with you!

You will also have:

• 2+ years of professional software engineering experience, ideally in SaaS or product-led environments.
• Proficiency working with modern web technologies (PHP & React) and front-end frameworks like Bootstrap or Tailwind.
• A strong understanding of software design principles, clean architecture, and modern development practices.
• A passion for software development and proactively keeping up to date with new tech.
• Experience designing and implementing database solutions using SQL and/or NoSQL technologies.
• Familiarity with monitoring tools and CI/CD pipelines.
• Excellent analytical, communication, and collaboration skills.
• A passion for continuous improvement, in code quality, personal growth, and team success.
• A proactive mindset with the ability to take ownership, share ideas, and see them through to implementation.

Benefits:
What’s in it for you?

• We come together with our unique strengths to work towards a common purpose - shaping the future of education. When you join our team, you will collaborate with individuals who are passionate, driven, and open to embracing change in a fast-paced environment.
• Hybrid working environment (North Sydney-based team)
• Learning & Development opportunities & PD budget - we want you to grow and get the most out of your role!
• 24/7 access to our Employment Assistance Program (EAP) through the means of face-to-face, livechat and phone support.
• Access to our Parental Leave Program for both primary and secondary carers.
• A supportive, inclusive culture where you’ll be valued and heard.

It is a really exciting time to join Compass. We are growing and are looking for ambitious individuals who want to grow alongside us.

Compass is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We embrace and celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Prior To Commencing Employment, You Require:

• a valid Employee Working With Children Check
• a satisfactory National Police Check
• verification of unrestricted work rights in Australia, eg citizenship, passport, or birth certificate

Ready to make a difference?

Apply today and help us empower schools to focus on what matters most: teaching and learning.

Find out more about School Bytes & Compass on our websites - https://www.compass.education/, https://www.schoolbytes.education/.