I am seeking a Backend WordPress Developer / Performance Engineer to resolve a critical 9.7-second TTFB (Time to First Byte) on a site hosted on WP Engine. The site uses the WPresidence real estate theme. I am NOT looking for someone to install "all-in-one" speed plugins (NitroPack, WP Rocket, etc.). I am looking for manual, code-level, and database-level optimization to fix the root cause of the server lag. Required Technical Scope TTFB Diagnosis: Analyze Slow Query Logs and PHP execution times to identify why the server takes 9+ seconds to respond. Database Optimization: Manual cleanup of the wp_options table (specifically targeting bloated "autoloaded" data), transients, and orphaned metadata. Theme Script Management: Dequeue/Disable heavy WPresidence scripts (Maps, Sliders, AJAX) on pages where they are not required. WP Engine Compatibility: Work within the constraints of WP Engine’s proprietary caching (EverCache) and "Disallowed Plugin" list. Functionality Preservation: Ensure that the AJAX-based Property Search and Google Maps integration remain 100% functional after optimization. Strict Project Rules Staging Environment Only: All initial work must be performed on a WP Engine Staging environment. Access to Production will only be granted for final deployment. No "Band-Aid" Plugins: Do not bid if your primary solution is a "delay JS" or "lazy load" plugin that merely masks the TTFB. Reporting: You must provide a brief "Root Cause Analysis" before any milestones are released. Milestones Milestone 1 : Diagnostic Audit + Database/Plugin Cleanup on Staging. Milestone 2 : Manual Code/Theme Optimization & Script Deferral. Milestone 3 : Live Migration + Cloudflare Config + Final Validation.