Lead SAS/Python Developer (Contract/FTE, Remote)

Adastra; Markham; Remote; CAD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Advancement opportunities

Competitive compensation

Referral program

Canada’s 50 Best Managed Companies

Dynamic, flexible workplace

Job summary

Adastra is seeking a Lead SAS/Python Developer to guide a large-scale modernization effort, migrating legacy SAS workloads to Python. You will lead decommissioning efforts while remaining hands-on in migration, automation, governance, and analytics modernization across Canada or the USA, with a fully remote work model.

The role combines senior leadership with practical development across SAS, Python, SQL, and data tooling, ensuring scalable, reliable solutions and strong technical standards.

Qualifications

• Senior/Lead-level software development experience with demonstrated leadership in modernization initiatives.
• Strong hands-on expertise in Python (Anaconda) and SQL, plus SAS knowledge.
• Experience migrating SAS programs/datasets to Python-based environments.
• Experience with Linux/Unix scripting, CRON scheduling, and automation.
• Ability to own technical solutions from requirements through deployment and support.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership and hands-on development for SAS-to-Python migration and modernization initiatives.
• Analyze requirements to design scalable solutions and define technical approaches.
• Lead migration of SAS programs and processes to Python environments.
• Develop, test, and maintain high-quality Python applications and scripts.
• Build Unix-based automation and data-processing pipelines.
• Establish coding standards and reusable patterns; conduct design reviews.
• Optimize applications for performance, reliability, and maintainability.
• Mentor developers and guide technical implementation across teams.
• Maintain documentation and Git repositories; collaborate with stakeholders.

Skills

Python

Anaconda

SQL

SAS

Linux/Unix scripting

CRON scheduling

Unit testing

Code reviews

DevOps/governance

Technical leadership

Tools

Git

Unix

GitHub Copilot

JupyterHub

Job description

Overview

Adastra is seeking a Lead SAS/Python Developer to support a large-scale modernization initiative focused on migrating legacy SAS-based workloads to Anaconda/Python. In this role, you will provide technical leadership for SAS decommissioning and migration activities, while remaining hands‑on in application migration, automation development, governance activities, and modernization of analytical processes. You will work across technical and business teams to lead the migration or retirement of active SAS workloads, establish development standards, guide technical implementation, and ensure the scalability, reliability, and maintainability of analytical solutions.

Primary Location: Across Canada or USA (must be able to work Central (CST) hours)

Work Model: Fully Remote

Employment Type: Contractor or Full‑Time

Vacancy Status: New

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide technical leadership and hands‑on development throughout SAS-to-Python migration and modernization initiatives
• Analyze complex business and technical requirements to design scalable solutions and define technical approaches
• Lead the interpretation and migration of SAS programs, datasets, and processes to Python-based environments
• Develop, test, and maintain high-quality Python applications and scripts
• Build and support Unix-based automation and data processing pipelines
• Establish and promote development standards, coding best practices, and reusable patterns across the team
• Conduct code and technical design reviews and provide guidance to developers
• Optimize applications for performance, scalability, reliability, and maintainability
• Identify technical risks, dependencies, and migration challenges and drive solutions through to resolution
• Maintain technical documentation and source code repositories using Git
• Collaborate with business stakeholders, developers, infrastructure teams, and other technical partners to deliver migration and modernization objectives
• Act as a technical point of contact for development and migration activities, supporting technical decision‑making across the initiative

QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

• Senior/Lead-level software development experience, including demonstrated experience providing technical leadership within complex development or modernization initiatives
• Strong hands‑on expertise in Python, including Anaconda, as well as SQL and SAS
• Strong ability to understand, interpret, and modernize complex SAS programs and workflows
• Experience with relational databases, including Netezza and Redshift
• Strong Linux/Unix scripting experience
• Experience with CRON scheduling and automation
• Strong experience with unit testing, debugging, code optimization, and performance tuning
• Experience conducting code reviews, establishing development standards, and guiding other developers on technical implementation
• Ability to own technical solutions from requirements and design through development, testing, and implementation
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem‑solving skills
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate technical concepts and recommendations to both technical and business stakeholders
• Ability to collaborate effectively across technical and business teams
• Commitment to code quality, accuracy, maintainability, and continuous improvement
• Ability to work within CST hours is preferred

NICE TO HAVE

• Familiarity with GitHub and GitHub Copilot
• Working knowledge of SAS Enterprise Guide
• Working knowledge of JupyterHub
• Previous experience leading or supporting large‑scale SAS-to-Python migration or SAS decommissioning initiatives
• Experience mentoring or providing technical direction to development teams

ABOUT ADASTRA

Adastra is a global leader in AI and data-driven transformation, helping organizations lead with artificial intelligence—responsibly, strategically, and at scale. With over 25 years of experience, Adastra empowers enterprise clients to unlock business value through data innovation, operational excellence, and smart customer engagement.

Trusted by some of the world’s most prominent brands, Adastra delivers end-to-end solutions grounded in thoughtful strategy, robust governance, and deep technical expertise. From defining vision to ensuring execution, Adastra guides organizations through every stage of their AI, data and cloud journey—building future‑ready capabilities and delivering measurable, lasting impact.

Adastra serves clients across key industries including financial services, automotive, manufacturing, technology, media and telecom (TMT), healthcare, retail, and professional services. The company employs more than 2,000 professionals across North America, Europe, and Asia.

WHAT WE OFFER

• Opportunity for advancement and career progression
• Competitive compensation
• Successful referral program
• The opportunity to work with one of Canada’s 50 Best Managed Companies
• Satisfaction of working for a reputable company
• A flexible, dynamic, and diverse workplace

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

In our commitment to promote fair and equitable treatment of all employees and applicants, Adastra Corporation provides equal employment opportunities for all individuals regardless of age, sex, disability, race, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed, sexual orientation, marital status, or any other ground as described in the Ontario Human Rights Code.In addition, accommodation will be provided during the hiring process. Adastra Corporation’s implementation and support of employment initiatives, encourage diversified labour force participation and equal access to opportunities based on merit and performance.