Full Stack Developer (6-month contract) (Remote)

Signal49 Research, formally operating as The Conference Board of Canada, is the nation’s largest independent applied research organization offering unbiased, evidence-based information and analysis to both industry, NGOs and federal/provincial governments. We have one of the country’s largest private economic analysis and forecasting teams and are widely recognized for expert economic forecasting, modeling, and leading analysis. Signal49 Research undertakes research to address the most pressing issues in Economics, Innovation and Technology, Human Capital, Sustainability, Immigration, Indigenous and Northern Communities, Education and Skills, and Health. Our social science research provides actionable pathways to solutions. Simply put, we deliver insights that help Canada’s leaders cut through the noise and make informed decisions.

We are seeking an experienced and self-directed Full Stack Developer for a 6-month contract engagement to design, build, and maintain interactive Business Intelligence dashboards and data reporting tools. The successful candidate will work closely with internal clients and data teams to translate functional requirements into polished, database-driven web applications deployed on a Linux server environment.

A distinguishing aspect of this role is the expectation that the developer will leverage AI-assisted code generation — specifically Anthropic’s Claude — as a core part of their workflow, combined with the judgment and expertise to review, test, and refine AI-generated output to production standards.

Our Ideal Candidate is… a pragmatic, detail-oriented developer who has fully embraced AI-assisted development as a core skill — not just as an occasional shortcut, but as a structured, disciplined methodology. They understand that the value of AI code generation lies in the quality of the specification fed into it and the rigor applied when reviewing the output.

They are equally comfortable writing a complex SQL JOIN from scratch, debugging a PHP session issue on a Linux server, and explaining a proposed data visualization to a program manager who has never written a line of code. They take ownership of their deliverables and communicate proactively when requirements are ambiguous or technically challenging.

We are a virtual organization and as a remote worker you must be comfortable and able to work 100 per cent of the time from a home office in Canada. To be successful as a remote worker you need to have a self-starter attitude, possess strong organizational and time management skills and be a proactive communicator. Having a home office environment that provides for a productive, professional, and safe work environment during regular working/business hours is a requirement of this role. This includes internet service and a reliable connection.

About The Role

Dashboard & Reporting Development

• Design and build interactive, database-driven web dashboards and reporting pages using PHP, MySQL, HTML, CSS, and TypeScript (including JavaScript). • Integrate data visualization libraries (e.g., Chart.js) to render timelines, bar charts, rankings, and other analytical views. • Write optimized SQL queries involving multi-table JOINs, embedded queries, aggregations, GROUP BY, and filtered result sets. • Develop reusable PHP components and include files (e.g., database connection helpers, shared layouts). • Ensure all output is properly sanitized and escaped to prevent XSS and SQL injection vulnerabilities.

AI-Assisted Development

• Use Claude (Anthropic) to generate PHP, SQL, TypeScript, JavaScript, HTML, and CSS code from detailed technical specifications. • Write precise, well-structured AI prompts that outline detailed technical specifications and requirements, to produce accurate and complete code with minimal iteration. • Critically review all AI-generated code for correctness, security, performance, and adherence to project standards. • Test generated code in the live server environment, identify discrepancies, and apply targeted corrections. • Integrate functional and code components produced in different iterations. • Maintain a disciplined human-in-the-loop workflow, using AI as a productivity accelerator rather than a substitute for sound engineering judgment.

Client Communication & Requirements

• Meet with internal clients to gather, clarify, and document functional requirements for new dashboards and reporting features. • Propose technical approaches and explain trade-offs in plain language accessible to non-technical stakeholders. • Proactively flag limitations, constraints, or risks and present well-reasoned alternative solutions. • Provide progress updates and demos at regular intervals throughout the contract.

Server & Deployment

• Deploy and manage PHP web applications on Ubuntu Linux servers with Nginx or Apache. • Configure virtual hosts, manage file permissions, and troubleshoot server-side issues. • Coordinate with the infrastructure team on environment setup, access, and security policies.

About You

Required Skills and Qualifications

• Post-secondary degree or diploma in Computer Science, Engineering or a related field 5+ years of relevant experience as a full-stack developer • Demonstrated experience using Claude (Anthropic) or comparable large language models to generate production-quality code. • Strong prompt engineering skills: ability to write clear, detailed, technically precise prompts that include context, constraints, input/output specifications, and examples. • Proven ability to proofread, test, and iteratively refine AI-generated code to meet production standards. • Comfortable identifying and correcting subtle logic errors, security oversights, and stylistic inconsistencies in generated code. • Backend Development • • PHP — intermediate to senior level; server-side scripting, form handling, include/require patterns, output escaping. • MySQL — strong SQL skills including multi-table JOINs, subqueries, aggregation functions, GROUP BY, ORDER BY, LIMIT, and query optimization. • MySQLi extension — connection lifecycle, parameterized queries, result set iteration. • Understanding of web application security fundamentals: SQL injection prevention, XSS mitigation, input validation.

• Frontend Development • HTML5 & CSS3 — intermediate level; semantic markup, Flexbox/Grid layout, CSS variables, transitions, and responsive design. • JavaScript (ES6+ and TypeScript) — intermediate to senior level; DOM manipulation, event handling, dynamic rendering, fetch/async patterns. Experience with Node.JS • Experience integrating and configuring Chart.js or similar data visualization libraries. • Ability to build custom UI components (e.g., autocomplete widgets, data tables) without relying on heavy frameworks. • Comfortable working entirely within a Linux (Ubuntu preferred) environment via command line. • Experience deploying PHP applications on Nginx or Apache web servers. • Familiarity with file permissions, virtual host configuration, and basic server troubleshooting. • Ability to use standard Linux tools: SSH, `nano`/`vim`, `tail`, `grep`, `chmod`, `systemctl`, etc. • Strong written and verbal communication skills in English. • Ability to discuss technical solutions with non-technical clients clearly and without jargon. • Experience gathering requirements, proposing approaches, and managing expectations within a project context.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with labour market data, job posting datasets, or workforce analytics platforms. • Familiarity with Canadian labour market terminology and provincial/territorial data structures. • Experience with version control using Git, preferably GitLab. • Knowledge of additional PHP frameworks (Laravel, Slim) or templating engines. • Experience with React.JS • Experience working in agile or sprint-based delivery environments. • Bilingualism (English/French) is an asset but not required.

Benefits

At Signal49 Research, we believe that putting People First is key to our success and attracting the best people. We are committed to providing a supportive and inclusive work environment where everyone can thrive and we are proud to offer a package that includes:

• Virtual First – work from home anywhere across Canada. • A workplace where your hard work is not just valued, but actively celebrated. We take pride in our commitment to recognizing and rewarding the exceptional talent that drives our success through our Recognition programs. • Employee Family Assistance Program (EFAP): We understand that life can be unpredictable and challenging and EFAP supports you and your family during difficult times. • Work/Life Balance: We offer the option of compressed workweeks with Friday afternoon closures. • A modern, defined benefit (DB) pension plan: We care about your future and offer an optional pension plan with a 5% match eligibility from Day One

The hiring zone for this position is $96,900-$114,000 annually for candidates from any Canadian province or territory. Salaries are based upon candidate experience, qualifications, specific skillsets, as well as market and business considerations. The full compensation band for this position ranges from $96,900-$131,100. The recruiter can share more information about compensation for the position during the hiring process. This job posting is for an existing vacancy within Signal49 Research. We are actively seeking to fill this role with a qualified candidate.

At Signal49 Research, we value the unique skills, experiences, and perspectives that each individual brings to our team. We are committed to fostering an inclusive, accessible, and supportive work environment where people of all backgrounds feel respected and empowered to do their best work. We encourage candidates to apply even if they do not meet every listed qualification. If this role aligns with your experience and interests, we would love to hear from you.

As a virtual first organization, interviews are conducted via video or phone. We are committed to providing accommodations throughout the recruitment process. Examples of support we can offer include sharing interview questions in advance, using live transcription or captions during video interviews, allowing alternative interview formats where possible, or making adjustments to timelines or assessments. Accommodations are not one size fits all, and we are happy to discuss what would be most helpful for you. If you require an accommodation at any stage of the hiring process, please email recruitment@signal49.ca, and we will work with you to meet your needs.

We wish to thank all applicants for their interest in Signal49 Research. Please note that only those selected for an interview will be contacted.