Python Backend Lead

As the Python Backend Technical Lead (L5), you will be responsible for owning the architecture, scalability, and reliability of mission-critical backend services built in Python. Your role will involve a combination of hands-on development using FastAPI/Flask and Google Cloud Platform (GCP), as well as leading an engineering team. You will define the technical roadmap, enforce security and coding standards, and optimize CI/CD processes to ensure the delivery of high-quality software efficiently. In addition, you will collaborate with product and cross-functional stakeholders to translate complex requirements into robust designs. Your responsibilities will include mentoring engineers, guiding code reviews, and driving initiatives to reduce technical debt and support long-term business goals. Key Responsibilities: - Architect, design, and implement scalable, secure backend systems using Python (FastAPI/Flask) - Define and drive GCP strategy and best practices across services like GKE, Cloud Run, Pub/Sub, and Cloud Spanner/Cloud SQL - Own the technical roadmap; propose and execute changes to improve resilience and reduce technical debt - Establish and enforce security best practices, coding standards, and quality gates - Lead by example with hands-on development, complex debugging, and performance tuning - Oversee and elevate code review practices to ensure maintainability and CI/CD compliance - Mentor and upskill junior and mid-level engineers, fostering continuous learning - Refine CI/CD pipelines and DevOps integration to accelerate delivery safely - Serve as primary technical liaison with product, design, clients, and other stakeholders - Translate business requirements into clear technical specifications and documentation - Collaborate cross-functionally to ship features that meet user needs and technical constraints Qualifications Required: - 12+ years of professional software development experience with robust Python expertise - Expertise in FastAPI (highly preferred) or Flask for high-concurrency RESTful APIs - Hands-on experience architecting and deploying applications on Google Cloud Platform (e.g., GKE, Cloud Run, Pub/Sub, Cloud Spanner/Cloud SQL) - Deep understanding of software testing: unit, integration, and automated quality assurance - Strong knowledge of data structures, algorithms, and system design patterns - Proven experience as Technical Lead/Lead Developer for teams of 4+ engineers - Excellent communication skills for technical and non-technical audiences - Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot and resolve critical production issues - Bonus: Docker and Kubernetes (GKE) - Bonus: Infrastructure as Code with Terraform or Pulumi - Bonus: Frontend familiarity with React/Angular/Vue for collaboration As the Python Backend Technical Lead (L5), you will be responsible for owning the architecture, scalability, and reliability of mission-critical backend services built in Python. Your role will involve a combination of hands-on development using FastAPI/Flask and Google Cloud Platform (GCP), as well as leading an engineering team. You will define the technical roadmap, enforce security and coding standards, and optimize CI/CD processes to ensure the delivery of high-quality software efficiently. In addition, you will collaborate with product and cross-functional stakeholders to translate complex requirements into robust designs. Your responsibilities will include mentoring engineers, guiding code reviews, and driving initiatives to reduce technical debt and support long-term business goals. Key Responsibilities: - Architect, design, and implement scalable, secure backend systems using Python (FastAPI/Flask) - Define and drive GCP strategy and best practices across services like GKE, Cloud Run, Pub/Sub, and Cloud Spanner/Cloud SQL - Own the technical roadmap; propose and execute changes to improve resilience and reduce technical debt - Establish and enforce security best practices, coding standards, and quality gates - Lead by example with hands-on development, complex debugging, and performance tuning - Oversee and elevate code review practices to ensure maintainability and CI/CD compliance - Mentor and upskill junior and mid-level engineers, fostering continuous learning - Refine CI/CD pipelines and DevOps integration to accelerate delivery safely - Serve as primary technical liaison with product, design, clients, and other stakeholders - Translate business requirements into clear technical specifications and documentation - Collaborate cross-functionally to ship features that meet user needs and technical constraints Qualifications Required: - 12+ years of professional software development experience with robust Python expertise - Expertise in FastAPI (highly preferred) or Flask for high-concurrency RESTful APIs - Hands-on experience architecting and deploying applications on Google Cloud Platform (e.g., GKE, Cloud Run, Pub/Sub, Cloud Spanner/Cloud SQL) - Deep understanding of