Lead Backend Software Engineer - Python/Kotlin/AWS

About the role

A rapidly growing technology-driven organization is seeking a hands-on technical leader to build and scale mission-critical platforms that support high-volume, real-time production environments. This hybrid role, based in Waltham, MA, is ideal for a Lead Backend Engineer who thrives in fast-paced engineering cultures where production code is deployed continuously throughout the day.

You will balance technical leadership with active software development, guiding a team while remaining deeply involved in architecture, coding, and delivery. The position offers the opportunity to influence technical strategy, mentor engineers, and build highly scalable systems leveraging modern cloud technologies and AI-driven innovation.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of backend engineers while remaining an active contributor to the codebase (70% hands-on development, 30% team leadership, architecture, and strategic planning)
• Design, build, and scale cloud-native backend services using Python and Kotlin
• Architect and optimize AWS-based distributed systems
• Drive delivery of production-ready software in an environment with continuous deployments
• Champion engineering best practices including testing, observability, reliability, and operational excellence
• Mentor and develop engineers through technical guidance, code reviews, and career coaching
• Partner with product, platform, and engineering leaders to define technical roadmaps
• Implement AI-driven capabilities and automate software development lifecycle processes
• Improve developer productivity through enhanced tooling, automation, and platform capabilities
• Ensure system reliability, scalability, security, and performance across all services

Requirements

• 10+ years of experience in Backend Software Engineering
• 2+ years of experience leading or managing software engineering teams
• Expert-level proficiency with Python and modern backend development practices
• Professional experience with Kotlin in production environments
• Strong AWS cloud platform experience, including designing and operating distributed systems
• Experience building and supporting highly available, scalable microservices architectures
• Hands-on engineering leader who actively contributes production code
• Experience working in fast-paced environments with frequent production deployments
• Knowledge of CI/CD pipelines, infrastructure automation, and cloud-native engineering
• Strong understanding of software design, system architecture, observability, and performance optimization
• Experience mentoring engineers and driving technical excellence across teams
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or equivalent practical experience

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience leading platform engineering, developer experience (DevEx), or infrastructure-focused teams
• AI/ML experience, including implementing AI-powered tools, workflows, or products
• Experience with Agentic AI, AI-assisted software development, or SDLC automation
• Kubernetes (K8s) experience
• Infrastructure-as-Code experience (Terraform, CloudFormation, or similar)
• Experience with build tools such as Maven, Gradle, or Nx
• Familiarity with testing frameworks and modern observability platforms
• Experience working with globally distributed engineering teams

Benefits

• Medical Insurance
• Dental Benefits
• Vision Benefits
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• 401(k)
• Life Insurance
• Disability Insurance
• Parental Leave

Pay

Base Salary: $173,000 - $234,000

Annual performance-based bonus opportunity

Schedule

Hybrid work model in Waltham, MA

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the US on a full-time basis now and in the future.