Senior Python Backend Engineer | AWS & Generative AI

act digital; Lisboa; On-site; EUR 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

act digital in Lisbon is seeking an experienced Senior Python Backend Engineer to join the User Productivity Squad. You will own backend services and APIs end-to-end, champion cloud-native delivery on AWS, and drive robust design, testing, and production support.

You will work with Python, AWS, Docker, IaC, and CI/CD to build reliable solutions that boost productivity across the organization. The role involves collaboration with engineers, architects, product stakeholders, and operations in an

Qualifications

• 5+ years of professional software engineering experience.
• Strong Python development and API design skills.
• Hands-on experience with AWS cloud services and DevOps practices.
• Proficient in building and deploying scalable microservices.
• Familiarity with CI/CD, IaC, and monitoring tooling.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop scalable Python backend services and APIs.
• Own features from design through production deployment.
• Build cloud-native apps on AWS and automate deployments.
• Improve security, performance, and reliability of services.
• Mentor teammates and promote best engineering practices.
• Collaborate with product, data, and operations teams.

Skills

Python

AWS

Docker

REST APIs

CI/CD

Infrastructure as Code

Terraform

Microservices

Monitoring

Security best practices

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or Software Engineering

Tools

AWS ECS

AWS Lambda

API Gateway

S3

SQS

RDS

IAM

CloudWatch

Terraform

Docker

Job description

We are looking for an experienced Senior Python Backend Engineer to join our growing User Productivity Squad in Lisbon.

You will take end-to-end ownership of scalable backend services and APIs, covering technical design, development, testing, cloud deployment, monitoring, and production support. Working with Python, AWS, Docker, Infrastructure as Code, and CI/CD, you will help build reliable solutions that improve productivity across the organization.

Depending on the squad’s priorities, you may also contribute to projects involving Large Language Models, AI agents, RAG, tool calling, and other Generative AI capabilities.

You will join a collaborative Scrum team and work closely with Software Engineers, Architects, Product stakeholders, and Operations teams in an international and highly regulated environment.

As a Senior Python Backend Engineer, you will:

• Design and develop scalable backend services and APIs using Python.
• Take ownership of solutions from initial design through production operation.
• Build and deploy cloud-native applications on AWS.
• Automate infrastructure and software delivery processes.
• Improve application security, scalability, performance, and reliability.
• Contribute to Generative AI solutions when relevant to the project.
• Support production environments and proactively address technical debt.
• Mentor colleagues and promote engineering best practices.
• Design, develop, and maintain scalable backend applications using Python.
• Build secure and reliable APIs and internal services.
• Translate product and business requirements into maintainable technical solutions.
• Develop reusable components and internal libraries shared across the squad.
• Apply appropriate architecture and software design patterns.
• Write clean, testable, and well-documented code.
• Troubleshoot complex application and integration issues.

API Design & Integration

• Design and maintain REST APIs supporting internal products and services.
• Define clear API contracts and integration patterns.
• Implement appropriate validation, authentication, authorization, and error handling.
• Integrate backend services with databases, messaging systems, and cloud services.
• Ensure APIs remain secure, observable, scalable, and maintainable.
• Support API performance analysis and optimization.
• Develop and deploy applications using AWS services such as:
• Amazon ECS
• AWS Lambda
• Amazon API Gateway
• Amazon S3
• Amazon SQS
• Amazon RDS
• AWS IAM
• Amazon CloudWatch
• Select suitable AWS services based on application and operational requirements.
• Configure secure access and permissions using IAM.
• Build asynchronous and event-driven workflows using SQS and serverless services.
• Implement monitoring, logging, and alerting through CloudWatch.
• Improve cloud resource scalability, resilience, and cost efficiency.

Infrastructure as Code

• Define and maintain cloud infrastructure using:
• Terraform
• AWS CloudFormation
• Build reusable and version-controlled infrastructure components.
• Ensure cloud environments are consistent and repeatable.
• Automate provisioning and configuration across development and production environments.
• Apply security and governance standards to Infrastructure as Code.

CI/CD & DevOps

• Design, implement, and improve CI/CD pipelines.
• Automate build, testing, packaging, deployment, and release activities.
• Work with Git-based development and code-review workflows.
• Containerize applications using Docker.
• Ensure changes are tested, traceable, and safely deployed.
• Improve deployment speed without compromising stability or security.
• Collaborate with platform and operations teams to streamline delivery processes.

Production Operations & Reliability

• Monitor backend services and cloud infrastructure.
• Investigate and resolve production incidents.
• Perform root cause analysis and implement sustainable corrective actions.
• Improve application logging, monitoring, alerting, and operational visibility.
• Support users and operational teams as part of the product ownership model.
• Identify and manage technical debt.
• Ensure applications meet agreed performance, quality, and availability expectations.

Generative AI

• Contribute to solutions using Large Language Models when relevant.
• Integrate LLM capabilities into backend applications and productivity tools.
• Work with approaches such as:
• AI Agents
• Tool Calling
• Retrieval-Augmented Generation
• Prompt Engineering
• Evaluate AI frameworks, libraries, and managed services.
• Implement appropriate validation, guardrails, security, and monitoring.
• Stay informed about emerging AI technologies and share relevant findings with the team.
• Select AI-driven approaches only where they provide clear business or productivity value.

Data & Persistence

• Design and maintain integrations with relational databases.
• Work with technologies such as:
• Oracle
• SQL
• Support schema design and data modelling.
• Develop efficient queries and data-access patterns.
• Ensure data integrity, security, and application performance.
• Develop automated unit and integration tests.
• Participate actively in peer code reviews.
• Apply secure software development practices.
• Promote consistent architecture and coding standards.
• Improve code quality, maintainability, and test coverage.
• Document technical decisions, integrations, and operational procedures.
• Participate actively in Scrum ceremonies, including:
• Sprint Planning
• Daily Stand-ups
• Sprint Reviews
• Collaborate with Engineers, Architects, Product stakeholders, and Operations teams.
• Support technical estimates and delivery planning.
• Use Jira to track work, decisions, risks, and dependencies.
• Communicate progress and technical concerns clearly within an international team.
• Mentor and support other engineers.
• Share knowledge of Python, AWS, DevOps, and Generative AI.
• Provide constructive feedback through code reviews.
• Contribute to a collaborative culture built around continuous learning.
• Help the team adopt appropriate engineering standards and practices.

What We’re Looking For

Mandatory Requirements

• University degree in:
• Computer Science
• Software Engineering
• A related discipline
• At least 5 years of professional Software Engineering experience.
• Strong hands-on proficiency in Python.
• Proven experience designing and developing scalable backend services and APIs.
• Practical experience developing and deploying applications on AWS.
• Experience with several of the following AWS services:
• ECS
• Lambda
• API Gateway
• S3
• SQS
• RDS
• IAM
• CloudWatch
• Solid DevOps mindset applied within a Software Engineering role.
• Experience with:
• Docker
• Infrastructure as Code
• Experience using Terraform or AWS CloudFormation.
• Strong understanding of software engineering best practices.
• Python
• REST APIs
• Microservices
• Internal Libraries
• Software Architecture

AWS

• Amazon ECS
• AWS Lambda
• Amazon API Gateway
• Amazon S3
• Amazon SQS
• Amazon RDS
• AWS IAM
• Amazon CloudWatch

DevOps & Infrastructure

• Docker
• CI/CD
• Git
• Terraform
• AWS CloudFormation
• Infrastructure as Code

Data

• SQL
• Oracle
• Relational Databases

Generative AI

• AI Agents
• Tool Calling
• Retrieval-Augmented Generation
• Prompt Engineering
• LLM Integration

Operations

• Monitoring
• Alerting
• Troubleshooting
• Production Support
• Performance Optimization

Nice to Have

• Hands-on experience integrating Large Language Models into production applications.
• Experience with AI agents, tool calling, RAG, or similar patterns.
• Knowledge of relevant Generative AI frameworks and libraries.
• AWS certification, such as:
• AWS Certified Solutions Architect
• AWS Certified Developer
• Experience with Microsoft Azure.
• Knowledge of Java and Spring Boot.
• Strong experience with PostgreSQL or Oracle.
• Experience with Kubernetes.
• Knowledge of advanced monitoring and alerting solutions.
• Experience in Agile teams using Jira.
• Previous experience in Banking or another regulated environment.
• Portuguese and/or French language skills.
• English: Fluent and mandatory
• Portuguese: Nice to have
• French: Nice to have

Ownership

• Ability to take responsibility for services from design through production.
• Proactive approach to technical risks and improvement opportunities.
• Strong sense of accountability for quality and reliability.
• Genuine team-oriented mindset.
• Willingness to support colleagues and share knowledge.
• Intellectual humility and openness to constructive feedback.
• Comfortable working with technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Analytical Thinking

• Strong problem-solving and troubleshooting capabilities.
• Ability to evaluate technical trade-offs.
• Attention to application quality, security, performance, and maintainability.

Curiosity & Continuous Learning

• Interest in emerging technologies, particularly Generative AI.
• Motivation to experiment responsibly and share useful knowledge.
• Commitment to continuously improving engineering practices.

Communication

• Ability to explain technical decisions clearly.
• Comfortable collaborating in an international environment.
• Join a growing engineering squad in Lisbon.
• Take end-to-end ownership of Python backend services.
• Work extensively with AWS and modern DevOps practices.
• Develop solutions that directly improve user productivity.
• Contribute to Generative AI initiatives when they provide genuine value.
• Collaborate with Engineers, Architects, Product stakeholders, and Operations teams.
• Work in an organization focused on long-term success, technical quality, and continuous improvement.
• Mentor colleagues while continuing to grow your own expertise.