WordPress Developer (LAMP Stack + AI & Search Optimization) – URGENT OPENING

Location: Remote / On-site (as needed) – Houston TX

Employment Type: Contract

Company: Empower Pharmacy

About Empower Pharmacy

Empower Pharmacy is the nation’s largest 503A compounding pharmacy and FDA-registered 503B outsourcing facility, committed to providing high-quality, innovative medications to improve patient care. We are seeking a skilled WordPress Developer with expertise in AI-driven enhancements and advanced search functionalities to maintain, optimize, and enhance our LAMP-based website.

Job Summary

The WordPress Developer will manage and enhance our WordPress website running on a LAMP stack, ensuring high performance, security, and advanced search capabilities. The role includes integrating AI-powered tools, implementing intelligent search algorithms, and automating workflows to improve the customer experience.

Key Responsibilities

1. Website Development & Maintenance

• Maintain and optimize the existing WordPress website, ensuring uptime, security, and scalability.
• Develop, customize, and troubleshoot themes, plugins, and widgets.
• Implement custom post types, taxonomies, and structured content for improved searchability.
• Work with external agencies and vendors for enhancements or troubleshooting.

2. AI-Powered Enhancements

• Integrate AI-driven chatbots for customer support and engagement.
• Implement AI-powered personalization (e.g., product recommendations, predictive search).
• Develop machine learning-based automation for form processing, data analytics, and customer interactions.
• Utilize natural language processing (NLP) to improve user engagement and search accuracy.

3. Advanced Search & Indexing

• Implement Elasticsearch, Algolia, or OpenSearch for an intelligent search experience.
• Optimize site-wide search indexing, improving speed and accuracy.
• Develop semantic search capabilities using AI and NLP for better query matching.
• Enhance faceted search filtering, allowing customers to refine search results effectively.
• Ensure search integrates with WooCommerce (if applicable) for product discovery.

4. Performance Optimization

• Monitor and optimize website speed, caching, database queries, and overall performance.
• Implement CDN (Cloudflare, Akamai) and caching mechanisms (Redis, Memcached).
• Conduct website audits and performance tuning.

5. Security & Compliance

• Apply security best practices to prevent vulnerabilities (XSS, SQL injection, etc.).
• Maintain SSL certificates, firewall configurations, and security plugins.
• Ensure HIPAA, FDA, and PCI compliance where necessary.
• Perform regular malware scans and vulnerability testing.

6. Database & Server Management

• Optimize MySQL databases for performance and reliability.
• Maintain server environments, manage Linux-based hosting (AWS, DigitalOcean, cPanel, or on-prem).
• Perform automated backup and recovery.

7. API Integrations & Automation

• Develop and integrate third-party APIs (AI services, search engines, marketing tools, etc.).
• Implement RESTful APIs, JSON, GraphQL, and webhooks for data synchronization.
• Automate content processing, order tracking, and marketing workflows using AI-driven tools.

8. Troubleshooting & Support

• Diagnose and resolve website issues (server errors, plugin conflicts, performance drops).
• Provide technical support to internal teams on website-related issues.
• Work closely with marketing, UX/UI, and IT teams for continuous improvements.

Required Skills & Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in WordPress development, focusing on LAMP stack environments.
• Proficiency in PHP, MySQL, JavaScript (jQuery, React, or Vue.js), HTML, CSS.
• Strong knowledge of Apache or Nginx configurations for performance tuning.
• Experience with AI-based tools like OpenAI GPT, Google AI, TensorFlow, or IBM Watson.
• Familiarity with Elasticsearch, Algolia, or OpenSearch for advanced search.
• Experience working with WooCommerce (if applicable).
• Knowledge of Git version control and CI/CD workflows.
• Strong understanding of SEO, structured data, and Google Search Console.
• Familiarity with cloud hosting (AWS, DigitalOcean, Google Cloud, or cPanel-based hosting).
• Ability to troubleshoot DNS, SSL, and CDN issues.
• Strong security practices for WordPress and Linux servers.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Headless WordPress (REST API, GraphQL).
• Familiarity with Docker and containerized environments.
• Knowledge of cloud-based databases (Amazon RDS, Google Cloud SQL).
• Experience in regulated industries (pharmaceutical, healthcare, or medical).
• UI/UX design skills for enhancing the front-end experience.