Lead Software Engineer - Backend | Python
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Key skills for this role
About the Role
AppliedAI seeks a Lead Software Engineer to own backend workstreams for the Opus AI platform in Abu Dhabi. You will lead a small cross-functional team while remaining hands-on in Python and distributed systems design.
Key Skills for This Role
Responsibilities
- Own end to end technical delivery of assigned platform workstreams from architecture to deployment
- Lead systems design for complex, distributed, high throughput backend services
- Set and enforce architectural standards including API design, data modeling, and service boundaries
- Design and build scalable Python microservices using event driven and asynchronous architectures
- Architect and implement high performance REST APIs using FastAPI, Flask, or similar
- Lead design of real time data streaming and messaging systems (Kafka, RabbitMQ, Redis Streams)
- Oversee asynchronous task processing using distributed task queues (Celery, RQ)
- Drive database design and optimization across relational and NoSQL systems
- Champion observability with logging, tracing, and monitoring
- Lead, mentor, and develop a team of ~4 engineers
Requirements
- 8 10+ years of software engineering experience
- Deep expertise in Python and backend systems design
- Experience leading engineering teams or workstreams with direct line management or technical lead responsibility
- Proven track record of owning complex software projects end to end in production
- Strong command of systems design principles: distributed architectures, event driven systems, API design, data modeling
- Experience with SQL (PostgreSQL) and NoSQL (MongoDB, Redis) databases
- Proficient with Git, Docker, and CI/CD tooling
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related field, or equivalent experience
Full Job Posting
Position Overview
- As a Lead Software Engineer, you will own significant workstreams within the Opus platform, taking full technical accountability from architecture through to production deployment.
- You will lead a small, cross functional team of approximately four engineers — spanning backend and frontend disciplines — while remaining deeply hands on.
- This is a 70% technical, 30% leadership role suited to an engineer who wants to stay close to the code while growing their impact through others.
- The ideal candidate brings 8–10+ years of software engineering experience, exceptional depth in Python and backend systems design, and a track record of leading engineers through complex, high stakes delivery.
Key Responsibilities
- Own the end to end technical delivery of assigned platform workstreams, from requirements and architecture through to deployment and post release iteration.
- Lead systems design for complex, distributed, high throughput backend services, ensuring decisions are principled, scalable, and well documented.
- Set and enforce architectural standards across your team, including API design, data modelling, service boundaries, and inter service communication patterns.
- Provide technical direction and hands on contribution in equal measure — reviewing code, unblocking engineers, and writing production grade code yourself.
- Identify and resolve systemic risks, technical debt, and performance bottlenecks proactively.
- Design and build scalable Python microservices using event driven and asynchronous architectures.
- Architect and implement high performance REST APIs using modern Python frameworks (FastAPI, Flask, or similar).
- Lead the design of real time data streaming and messaging systems (Kafka, RabbitMQ, Redis Streams, or similar).
- Oversee asynchronous task processing using distributed task queues (Celery, RQ, or similar).
- Define and govern ETL workflows and data pipelines using orchestration tools such as Airflow, Prefect, or Dagster.
- Drive database design and optimisation across relational (PostgreSQL, MySQL) and NoSQL (MongoDB, Redis) systems.
- Champion observability, ensuring services are instrumented with appropriate logging, tracing, and monitoring.
Qualifications
- 8–10+ years of software engineering experience, with strong seniority in backend and distributed systems development.
- Demonstrated experience leading engineering teams or workstreams, with direct line management or technical lead responsibility.
- Proven track record of owning complex software projects end to end in a production environment.
- Deep expertise in Python; proficiency in TypeScript and Node.js (NestJS, Next.js) is advantageous.
- Strong command of systems design principles: distributed architectures, event driven systems, API design, and data modelling.
- Experience with SQL (PostgreSQL) and NoSQL (MongoDB, Redis) databases.
- Solid understanding of authentication and authorisation patterns (OAuth2, JWT, RBAC).
- Proficient with Git, Docker, and CI/CD tooling; exposure to Kubernetes and cloud platforms (AWS/GCP) is a plus.
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related technical field, or equivalent professional experience.
Benefits
- Opportunity to work with a leading AI technology company.
- Collaborative and innovative work environment.
- Growing, entrepreneurial and forward thinking culture.
- Career growth and professional development opportunities.
- Exposure to a thriving ecosystem working from our Abu Dhabi HQ.
- 21 days of paid annual leave.
- Comprehensive private health insurance.
- Visa sponsorship for international candidates.
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