Senior Backend Developer

Role Overview

We are looking for a senior Python Backend contractor to support the modernization of existing applications as part of a broader platform transition. This is a highly hands-on role: the selected contractor must have strong practical experience and be able to contribute from day 1 with minimal ramp-up. The main focus of this role is to refactor existing Python applications with minimal intervention to support the gradual decomposition of a monolith into a set of decoupled services, while ensuring that configuration and settings are fully environment-based. This is a delivery-focused role, not a greenfield rewrite or architecture-only position. We are looking for an engineer who can assess the existing codebase quickly, identify pragmatic refactoring opportunities, and implement them directly.

Key Responsibilities

• Refactoring existing Python backend applications to support the decomposition of a monolith into smaller, decoupled services
• Identifying pragmatic, low-impact changes that improve modularity and separation of concerns without unnecessary redesign
• Ensuring application configuration and settings are environment-based and suitable for deployment across multiple environments
• Developing and maintaining production-grade backend services and APIs in Python with a focus on maintainability, reliability, and security
• Supporting the transition of applications toward containerized and automated deployment models, working closely with DevSecOps and platform engineers
• Improving code quality, testing, troubleshooting, and documentation to enable safe incremental change
• Troubleshooting and resolving functional, integration, and performance issues in existing backend services
• Documenting implemented changes and contributing to good backend engineering practices across the team

Required Experience And Skills

• 7+ years of professional experience in backend software development, with Python backend engineering as the main professional focus
• Strong recent hands-on experience in Python backend development
• Proven experience building and maintaining production backend services and APIs
• Proven experience working in existing or legacy codebases and performing incremental refactoring
• Practical experience supporting the decomposition of monolithic applications into smaller, decoupled services
• Strong understanding of environment-based configuration, backend architecture, API design, and database design
• Good understanding of integration patterns, service boundaries, and maintainable backend design
• Familiarity with CI/CD practices, Git workflows, code reviews, and Agile/Scrum delivery
• Good understanding of secure coding practices and writing maintainable, well-tested code
• Strong analytical, debugging, communication, and documentation skills
• Familiarity with Docker and Kubernetes-based deployments
• Experience with message queues, event-driven architectures, or caching strategies
• Experience in cloud or hybrid environments
• Good spoken and written English

Additional Information

If you are interested, for further information, please contact the point of contact for this offer.