Backend Engineer - Python

We are KiWi, a Swiss-Mexican startup whose mission is to make financial & technology services accessible to every small businesses in emerging markets. Our app & platform allow thousands of small merchants to accept cards, get micro-loans, manage their sales, please their customers, and sell new services in a breeze.

We are seeking a highly skilled Backend Engineer with the experience and aptitude to tackle the technical challenges we face in our projects. The ideal candidate is an expert in backend technologies, particularly Python and Django, and possesses the technical leadership skills and strategic vision necessary to guide our development team. This position offers growth opportunities within the company, potentially leading to a leadership role based on performance and company needs. While the role is fully remote, periodic in-office meetings in Mexico City are required, so the candidate must be adept at managing their time and working independently to meet objectives.

Responsibilities:

• Design, develop, and maintain robust and scalable backend systems.

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define, design, and implement new features.

• Identify and resolve performance and scalability issues.

• Ensure code quality through code reviews, automated testing, and best development practices.

• Mentor and guide junior and mid-level engineers.

• Participate in project planning and estimation, providing technical insight.

• Develop and promote coding, design, and architectural standards within the team.

• Lead critical projects, ensuring successful delivery within deadlines and budgets.

• Collaborate with technical management to define the technology roadmap and best practices.

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related field, or equivalent work experience.

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in backend development, with at least 2 years in a senior role.

• Proven experience in Python and Django, with knowledge of other Python frameworks such as Flask or FastAPI.

• Deep understanding of relational and non-relational databases (e.g., PostgreSQL, MongoDB).

• Experience in building and consuming RESTful and/or GraphQL APIs.

• Knowledge of software architecture principles and design patterns.

• Experience with agile development tools and practices.

• Excellent communication skills and ability to work as part of a team.

• Experience in implementing automated testing and CI/CD techniques.

• Proven ability to lead technical teams and manage complex development projects.

• Knowledge of cloud technologies (AWS, GCP, Azure) and containerization (Docker, Kubernetes) is a plus.

• Ability to work effectively in a remote environment, managing time efficiently and meeting objectives.

Desired Skills and Competencies:

• Experience with RPC protocols (e.g., gRPC, Thrift).

• Familiarity with service-oriented architectures (SOA) and microservices.

• Experience in the fintech industry is a plus.

• Ability to make solid, data-driven technical decisions.

• Leadership and mentoring skills, with a focus on team development.

• Proactive mindset and ability to work independently and collaboratively.

• Strong focus on code quality and development efficiency.

• Interpersonal skills to effectively collaborate with cross-functional teams.

Benefits:

• Competitive salary and benefits packages.

• Professional growth and career development opportunities.

• Flexible work environment with remote first culture.

• Team events and team-building activities.