Contract International Software Engineer Jobs in Kansas

Essense of Australia is an international bridal wholesaler with key offices based in Lenexa, Kansas, Perth, Australia, and Zug, Switzerland. Our organization also operates in the United Kingdom, Europe, Canada, and New Zealand. We have been a global leader in bridal fashion for over 20 years, and our designs are currently sold in nearly 1,000 stores worldwide. With innovative designs and a strong customer service approach, Essense of Australia is a dynamic company that rewards excellence, drive, and collaboration. 

About the Job

Essense of Australia is seeking a Software Engineer responsible for both back-end and front-end Full Stack development. Primary focus on best-in-class complex CMS development with experience in WordPress. This position requires a combination of programming skills (namely PHP, React, JavaScript/TypeScript, and common JavaScript libraries) and UI/UX aesthetics (understanding element arrangements on the screen), as well as an understanding of the application stack and server architecture. The candidate should have a strong understanding of web development trends and content management systems. Experience with responsive and adaptive design is required and an understanding of the entire web development process, from design to development to deployment to maintenance is crucial. Experience with AWS or other cloud computing platforms is also required.

Culture and collaboration matter here, and we're looking for someone who thrives on building strong relationships across the organization. In this role, you'll work closely with team leaders, actively participate in company events, and develop trusted partnerships both internally and with key external stakeholders. Success requires flexibility, a collaborative mindset, and a passion for performing in a fast-paced, constantly evolving environment.

This role will report to the Director of Development and is based in Lenexa, KS.  Standard office hours are Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM-5:00 PM. Essense offers a hybrid schedule with work-from-home on Mondays and Fridays and in-office collaboration Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. This role requires on-site attendance on in-office days. Because we are an international company across multiple time zones, occasional schedule adjustments may be required.

What You'll Do

• Full Stack development and maintenance of WordPress features using PHP, JavaScript/TypeScript, and React.
• Staying on top of the latest in development and pushing the Digital Marketing team to execute tactics that take advantage of your development skills.
• Implementation, optimization, and maintenance of third-party APIs that work with our brand web sites, as well as our internal customer facing portal.
• Ability to develop and maintain new plugins as needed.
• Day to day maintenance and overall site health for multiple web properties.
• Understanding of and comfortable working on our internal web servers as well as those hosted at Amazon (AWS).
• Assist in making decisions on web technology directions throughout the growing worldwide business. Participate in discussions on expectations, ROI, and overall web property roadmaps.
• Introduce best-in-class web technologies and processes that have a multiplier effect on the business, vendors, partners, and the public.
• Scope and document online properties throughout their lifecycle. Work with strategic partners and outside teams. Expect to get hands-on with code daily while interacting with an internal team of developers.
• Focus on PHP stack on AWS hosting & development, but also enjoy exploring various other technologies, like AI or business intelligence tools.
• Strong understanding of SEO and SEO concepts, and how to follow those best practices in software delivery.
• Understanding of custom analytics and tracking, and experience with implementation and maintenance.

What You'll Need

• 5+ years of professional Full Stack development required
• Expert-level PHP (PHP 8+), including modern practices (PSR standards, Composer, namespaces, dependency management).
• Advanced WordPress engineering experience, including:
• Custom plugin architecture and development, Gutenberg/Block Editor (React/TypeScript-based block development)
• Extending WordPress Core APIs, hooks/filters, cron, transients
• WP REST API design and implementation
• Strong React and TypeScript proficiency for building scalable editor interfaces, internal tools, and custom blocks.
• Skilled in leveraging AIassisted development tools (Claude, GitHub Copilot, or similar) to improve code quality and increase delivery speed.
• Ability to design and maintain high-quality architectures, including modular plugin systems, API's, and scalable component patterns.
• Experience refactoring legacy systems and guiding teams through modernization initiatives.
• Highly Desirable - Deep MySQL experience, including schema design, query optimization, indexing, and performance diagnostics (preferably on AWS RDS).
• Highly Desirable - Front-end engineering expertise, including modern CSS, accessibility, and performance optimization.
• Highly Desirable - Hands-on experience in AWS environments, including EC2, RDS, AND S3/CloudFront.
• Highly Desirable - Containerized development using Docker, including local development and deployment workflows.
• Highly Desirable - Strong grasp of site performance, caching layers (object/cache/CDN), error monitoring, and observability best practices.
• Highly Desirable - Familiarity with security hardening for PHP/WordPress apps and secure coding techniques.
• Highly Desirable - Expert-level Git usage and experience leading code reviews with an emphasis on maintainability, clarity, and performance.

What We Offer

Essense of Australia is a company with heart. We value creativity, innovation, and dedication, and we're looking for someone who shares our passion for delivering exceptional bridal fashion to brides and partners alike. In return for your skills, we offer you the opportunity to join an international industry leader and be part of a creative and collaborative culture that empowers its people, promotes teamwork and embraces sustainability. We recognize and reward excellence, innovation, and loyalty. As such, we provide competitive salaries and a comprehensive benefits package.  If you have the skills, spark and drive to help us further our growth, please go to https://www.essensedesigns.com/careers/ and follow the prompts to submit your cover letter addressing the above criteria along with a resume and salary expectations.  

Join Essense of Australia and be part of a passionate team dedicated to helping brides around the world find their dream wedding gowns. If you're ready to make an impact and drive success in a global bridal fashion powerhouse, apply now and let's shape the future of bridal together!