Senior Python Backend Engineer / Technical Lead 📍 EU Only | 🕐 Full-Time | 📅 12+ Months

We are looking for a seasoned Senior Python Backend Engineer / Technical Lead to join our team on a long-term engagement. This is a full-time contract role open exclusively to candidates based in the European Union. ⚠️ Please note: This role involves company equipment being provided to the contractor. As part of the onboarding process, we will verify your identity documents and EU location. Only candidates who can confirm their EU residency and provide valid documentation will be considered. What You'll Be Doing - Develop and evolve production-grade backend solutions using Python - Design service architecture for systems with high throughput, parallel processing, and strict reliability requirements - Build microservices, REST APIs, backend integrations, and data-processing components - Make technical decisions related to scalability, fault tolerance, security, and performance - Take end-to-end ownership of functionality — from technical design and estimation to implementation, testing, and release - Collaborate closely with product, architecture, QA, infrastructure, and DevOps teams - Uphold high engineering standards via code reviews, automated testing, and CI/CD practices - Mentor less experienced engineers and contribute to shared backend architecture guidelines Must-Have Requirements - 8+ years of commercial software development experience with Python as the primary stack - Advanced Python knowledge: OOP, async development, design patterns, concurrency, performance optimization - Proven experience with distributed backend systems and microservice architectures - Strong hands-on experience with at least one Python web framework: FastAPI, Flask, or Django - Solid experience building and maintaining RESTful APIs - Practical understanding of high-load architecture, scalability, resiliency, and secure software development - Strong database background: PostgreSQL or SQL Server + NoSQL experience - Production experience with Docker and Kubernetes - Hands-on experience with Microsoft Azure, Azure DevOps, and automated CI/CD pipelines - Ability to independently drive complex technical tasks and make well-reasoned architectural decisions - Experience in Agile development teams - Strong communication, code review, and mentoring skills - Degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field Nice to Have - Commercial experience with Generative AI or LLM-based products - Understanding of RAG architectures, AI agents, or agentic workflows - Experience with workflow automation or integrating AI capabilities into backend platforms To Apply Please include in your proposal: 1. Your country of residence (EU only) 2. Brief overview of relevant Python backend experience 3. Examples of distributed systems or microservices you've built 4. Your availability and expected hourly/monthly rate