WordPress Plugin & API Integration Developer

We are looking for an experienced WordPress developer to help finalize, test, secure, and prepare several existing custom applications for production use. We already have working prototypes and a substantial amount of code developed with the assistance of AI. This is not a ground-up project. We need someone who can review the existing work, resolve outstanding issues, improve reliability and security, and help us bring the applications across the finish line. The ideal candidate is comfortable working with an existing codebase, troubleshooting integrations, and explaining technical decisions clearly to a non-technical project owner. Responsibilities • Review and audit existing WordPress plugin code and prototypes • Identify bugs, security concerns, and incomplete functionality • Complete and refine existing features • Convert prototype code or snippets into properly structured WordPress plugins • Connect WordPress with third-party software through REST APIs • Improve validation, permissions, error handling, and logging • Protect customer and business data • Test plugins in both staging and production environments • Ensure compatibility with WordPress multisite • Create a reliable deployment and rollback process • Document the code, configuration, dependencies, and maintenance requirements • Provide recommendations for future development and support Required Skills Applicants should have strong experience with: • Custom WordPress plugin development • PHP and object-oriented PHP • JavaScript • HTML and CSS • WordPress actions, filters, AJAX, REST APIs, nonces, roles, and permissions • WordPress multisite environments • MySQL and WordPress database development • Integrating separate programs through REST APIs • API authentication and secure credential management • Reading and working with third-party API documentation • Debugging and improving existing or AI-assisted code • Git and version control • Staging, testing, deployment, and rollback procedures • Data validation, sanitization, and secure coding practices Experience with booking, scheduling, calendar, customer-management, point-of-sale, or other business systems would be helpful but is not required. Security and Data Protection The applications interact with customer and business information, so security and data integrity are important. The developer should understand how to: • Protect API and AJAX endpoints from unauthorized access • Apply appropriate user roles and capability checks • Validate and sanitize incoming information • Escape information displayed in the browser • Use secure database queries • Store API keys and access tokens securely • Avoid exposing personal information in logs or browser responses • Prevent duplicate, malformed, or unauthorized requests • Implement appropriate backup and recovery procedures • Document where information is stored, transmitted, and processed Project Approach We expect the engagement to begin with a review of the existing code and a practical completion plan. Initial deliverables will include: 1. A technical review of the current applications 2. Identification of security, reliability, and maintainability concerns 3. A prioritized list of the remaining work 4. A project estimate divided into milestones 5. Completion and testing of the agreed features 6. Deployment to a pilot environment 7. Resolution of issues identified during the pilot 8. Documentation for future maintenance and rollout What We Are Looking For We are looking for someone who: • Can take over and improve an existing codebase • Is comfortable reviewing code created with AI assistance • Does not automatically recommend rebuilding working components • Can distinguish between urgent fixes and future improvements • Communicates clearly with non-technical stakeholders • Provides realistic estimates and regular progress updates • Identifies security and data-integrity risks early • Documents decisions and completed work • Is interested in the possibility of ongoing development and support This will begin as a contract project, with the potential for additional work as the applications are expanded and new features are developed.