Tech Lead Python

We are seeking a highly experienced Tech Lead – Python AI Engineering to drive the migration and re-architecture of the SAM teams core application into its newly aligned technology stack. This role combines deep technical expertise with engineering leadership. The Tech Lead will own architectural direction, guide technical standards and ensure successful execution of a large-scale modernization initiative.

This is a hands-on leadership role focused on transforming legacy systems into scalable, cloud-native, AI-enabled solutions within AWS. The ideal candidate brings 10+ years of backend engineering experience, strong distributed systems expertise, and the ability to lead cross-functional technical initiatives from strategy through delivery.

Core Responsibilities:

• Own the end-to-end technical strategy for migrating and re-architecting the SAM application into the new Python-based, AWS-native stack.
• Define and enforce architectural standards, coding practices, and system design principles.
• Lead distributed architecture development (microservices) and cloud-native application design.
• Design scalable, modular backend systems that support long-term platform evolution.
• Review and approve technical designs to ensure alignment with performance, security, and reliability goals.
• Develop high-performance APIs and backend services using Python.
• Refactor and modernize legacy components into clean, maintainable services.
• Optimize complex SQL queries and improve database architecture.
• Architect and deploy cloud-native infrastructure within AWS (Lambda, ECS/EKS, RDS, S3, etc.).
• Ensure production-grade reliability, observability, and scalability.
• Drive thoughtful adoption of AI-assisted development tools to improve team productivity.
• Explore and implement modern AI patterns (e.g., agentic workflows, task orchestration, LLM integrations) where strategically appropriate.
• Provide technical direction on AI-enabled system intelligence and automation opportunities.
• Manage technical risks, dependencies, and execution timelines.
• Act as the primary technical escalation point for complex system challenges.

Required Qualifications

• Strong backend software engineering experience.
• Proven experience in a Tech Lead, Lead Engineer, or Architect capacity.
• Deep expertise in Python and backend system design.
• Strong proficiency in SQL and relational database optimization.
• Extensive hands-on experience building and migrating systems within AWS.
• Demonstrated experience modernizing or re-architecting legacy applications.
• Strong understanding of distributed systems, microservices, and cloud-native patterns.
• Experience with AI-powered developer tools and LLM APIs.
• Deep knowledge of CI/CD pipelines, testing strategies, and production reliability best practices.
• Strong leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Advanced English.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience leading enterprise-scale application migrations.
• Exposure to agent-based systems or AI orchestration frameworks.
• Background in high-availability, mission-critical enterprise systems.
• Experience in education technology or large-scale transactional platforms.
• Prior experience building or scaling engineering teams.
• Successful migration of the SAM application into the new technology stack with minimal disruption.
• Clear architectural vision and technical standards adopted across the team.
• Improved system scalability, maintainability, and cloud efficiency.
• Reduced technical debt and improved engineering velocity.
• A high-performing engineering team operating with strong technical direction.
• Strategic integration of AI-enabled capabilities that enhance developer productivity and platform intelligence.