Lead Python Developer

Job Title: Lead Python Developer (Backend)Experience: 6+ YearsLocation: Chennai (Hybrid)Employment Type: Full-TimeRole OverviewWe are looking for a Lead Python Developer (Backend) to architect, build, and scale high-performance backend systems. This role requires strong hands-on expertise in Python, microservices, databases, caching, and messaging systems, along with the ability to technically lead and mentor a backend engineering team.Key ResponsibilitiesBackend Architecture & DevelopmentDesign, develop, and own scalable backend services using Python and modern frameworks such as FastAPI or Django.Architect and implement RESTful APIs with a focus on performance, reliability, and security.Drive backend design decisions including service boundaries, data flow, and scalability strategies.Lead end-to-end backend delivery from design to production.Databases & Data ManagementDesign and optimize relational and NoSQL databases to support high-volume, low-latency applications.Strong hands-on experience with databases such as PostgreSQL, MySQL, MongoDB, or similar.Own database schema design, indexing strategies, query optimization, and performance tuning.Ensure data consistency, integrity, and scalability across distributed systems.Work closely with data and analytics teams to support data-driven backend services.Caching & Performance OptimizationDesign and implement caching strategies to improve system performance and reduce latency.Hands-on experience with caching technologies such as Redis / Memcached.Identify performance bottlenecks and apply caching, async processing, and optimization techniques.Define cache invalidation, TTL strategies, and consistency models for backend services.Messaging & Asynchronous ProcessingDesign and build event-driven and asynchronous systems using messaging platforms.Hands-on experience with Kafka, RabbitMQ, AWS SQS/SNS, or similar messaging systems.Implement reliable producers, consumers, retries, and dead-letter queues.Use messaging to decouple services, improve scalability, and enable real-time data processing.Microservices & Cloud-Native SystemsArchitect and develop microservices-based systems with proper fault tolerance and observability.Containerize services using Docker and deploy using Kubernetes or similar orchestration tools.Collaborate with DevOps teams on infrastructure, scaling, and deployment strategies.CI/CD, Quality & ObservabilityEstablish and maintain CI/CD pipelines for automated build, test, and deployment.Ensure high code quality through unit, integration, and contract testing.Implement logging, monitoring, and alerting using tools like Prometheus, Grafana, ELK, or equivalents.Own production readiness, incident debugging, and system reliability.Technical Leadership & CollaborationAct as a technical lead, mentoring junior and mid-level developers.Conduct code reviews, enforce best practices, and improve engineering standards.Collaborate with product, frontend, QA, DevOps, and data teams to deliver business-critical solutions.Participate in design reviews, estimations, and sprint planning.Required Qualifications6+ years of backend software development experience, primarily in Python.Strong expertise in Python (including async programming and performance optimization).Hands-on experience with FastAPI, Django, or similar frameworks.Solid experience with SQL and NoSQL databases and data modeling.Strong understanding of caching mechanisms (Redis/Memcached).Hands-on experience with messaging systems (Kafka, RabbitMQ, SQS, etc.).Experience building microservices architectures.Hands-on experience with Docker, Kubernetes, and CI/CD pipelines.Strong debugging, problem-solving, and communication skills.Preferred QualificationsExperience with cloud platforms (AWS / Azure / GCP).Prior experience in a Lead / Senior Backend Engineer role.Exposure to security best practices (authentication, authorization, API security).Experience building high-throughput, low-latency systems at scale.