Sr. Python Engineer

This position is listed on behalf of a partner company, which manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for a Sr. Python Engineer based in the United States.

We are seeking an experienced Senior Python Engineer to develop the backend services and distributed systems powering a next-generation drone infrastructure platform. In this role, you will build scalable, cloud-native applications that enable businesses and government agencies to operate drones safely and efficiently within the national airspace. You will work with complex geospatial datasets, real-time processing pipelines, and mission-critical workflows to deliver reliable, high-performance software solutions. Collaborating with platform, data, infrastructure, and product teams, you will contribute to architectural decisions and drive technical innovation across the engineering organization. You will leverage modern technologies such as Python, Microsoft Azure, Kubernetes, PostgreSQL, and distributed computing frameworks to solve challenging engineering problems. This opportunity is ideal for a senior engineer who values technical ownership, cross-functional collaboration, and the chance to shape the future of autonomous aviation and emerging mobility.

Accountabilities

Develop backend services: Design, build, test, and maintain robust Python-based backend applications, APIs, and distributed systems that support complex operational workflows and customer-facing products.
Build scalable cloud-native solutions: Develop and optimize applications using modern cloud infrastructure, containerized services, microservices, and serverless architectures to ensure scalability, availability, and performance.
Process complex datasets: Work with large and diverse datasets, including tabular, geospatial, vector, raster, and point-cloud data, to support advanced analytics and mission-critical aviation workflows.
Implement data processing pipelines: Design and maintain streaming data systems and large-scale data computation workflows, leveraging cloud technologies and distributed processing frameworks to handle high-volume data efficiently.
Contribute to system architecture: Participate in technical design discussions, establish engineering best practices, apply appropriate software design patterns, and influence architectural decisions across backend and platform services.
Build and maintain APIs: Develop and optimize REST and gRPC APIs that enable reliable communication between services, applications, and external systems.
Ensure software quality: Implement comprehensive unit tests, maintain high code quality standards, and contribute to automated testing and continuous integration and delivery practices.
Improve system reliability and observability: Monitor application performance, troubleshoot production issues, and enhance system reliability using logging, metrics, and monitoring tools such as Grafana and VictoriaLogs.
Collaborate across engineering teams: Partner with platform, data, infrastructure, and product teams, as well as product managers and domain experts, to translate customer needs into scalable technical solutions.
Drive continuous improvement: Identify opportunities to optimize performance, simplify complex systems, improve development workflows, and strengthen engineering standards.
Own end-to-end delivery: Take responsibility for solutions throughout their lifecycle, from technical design and implementation to deployment, monitoring, and ongoing maintenance.
Contribute to Agile development: Participate in two-week development iterations, technical reviews, and collaborative planning while delivering measurable value to customers and supporting evolving product priorities.
Requirements
Education: Bachelor's degree in computer science, mathematics, or a related technical field, or equivalent practical experience.
Professional experience: At least seven years of experience developing and maintaining production-grade SaaS applications or backend APIs using Python.
Advanced Python expertise: Strong proficiency in Python and experience designing maintainable, efficient, and scalable backend services in production environments.
Backend and API development: Demonstrated experience building production APIs, distributed applications, and service-oriented systems, with familiarity with REST and gRPC architectures.
Cloud computing: Experience developing and operating applications in cloud environments, preferably Microsoft Azure.
Data engineering and processing: Experience working with large, diverse datasets and developing streaming data processing or large-scale computation solutions in the cloud. Familiarity with Databricks and Apache Spark is strongly preferred.
Geospatial data experience: Ability to work with complex data formats, including tabular, geospatial, vector, raster, and point-cloud datasets.
Software engineering fundamentals: Strong knowledge of software design patterns, clean code principles, unit testing, debugging, and maintainable application architecture.
Containerization and orchestration: Exposure to Kubernetes and containerized application deployment, as well as Azure Functions, serverless computing, or microservices architectures.
Distributed systems: Understanding of distributed systems design, scalability, reliability, and data-intensive application development.
Modern technology stack: Familiarity with technologies such as PostgreSQL, Kafka, Azure Event Hubs, cloud-native CI/CD pipelines, and application monitoring tools is beneficial.
Problem-solving skills: Strong analytical thinking and the ability to address complex technical challenges, investigate production issues, and develop practical, reliable solutions.
Collaboration and communication: Ability to work effectively with multidisciplinary teams, communicate technical concepts clearly, and contribute constructively to architectural and product discussions.
Technical ownership: A proactive mindset and the ability to take responsibility for technical decisions, deliver high-quality software, and continuously improve systems and processes.
Adaptability: Comfort working in a fast-moving, innovative environment where priorities evolve and engineers are encouraged to influence technical direction and product outcomes.
Remote work readiness: Ability to work independently and collaborate effectively with distributed teams across the United States.
Benefits
Comprehensive healthcare: Medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage.
Retirement savings: Access to a 401(k) retirement savings plan.
Gender-neutral parental leave: Inclusive parental leave benefits designed to support employees and their families.
Generous paid time off: Time-off benefits that support rest, personal commitments, and work-life balance.
Remote-first flexibility: The opportunity to work remotely from anywhere in the United States, with a hybrid arrangement available for Michigan residents.
Technical ownership: Meaningful responsibility for the systems and products you develop, with opportunities to influence architecture and engineering decisions.
Modern technology environment: Hands-on experience with cloud-native infrastructure, distributed systems, geospatial technologies, and emerging aviation solutions.
Cross-functional collaboration: Opportunities to work alongside experienced professionals across platform engineering, data, infrastructure, and product development.
Professional growth: Exposure to challenging technical problems, evolving technologies, and opportunities to expand your engineering expertise.
Innovative mission: The opportunity to contribute to digital infrastructure that supports safe drone operations, public safety initiatives, government services, and emerging autonomous aviation capabilities.
Inclusive culture: A collaborative environment that values diverse backgrounds, perspectives, creative thinking, and continuous innovation.