Lead Backend Software Engineer - Python/Kotlin/AWS

Motion Recruitment; Waltham (MA); Hybrid; USD 173,000 - 234,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Dental Benefits

Vision Benefits

PTO

401(k)

Life Insurance

Disability Insurance

Parental Leave

Job summary

Motion Recruitment is seeking a Lead Backend Software Engineer in Waltham, MA hybrid, to lead a team while actively contributing to production code in a fast-paced engineering culture where code is deployed continuously.

You will design cloud-native backend services with Python and Kotlin on AWS, build scalable distributed systems, mentor engineers, and drive AI-powered development practices across the platform.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in Backend Software Engineering.
• 2+ years of experience leading or managing software engineering teams.
• Expert-level proficiency with Python and modern backend development practices.
• Professional experience with Kotlin in production environments.
• Strong AWS cloud platform experience, including designing and operating distributed systems.
• Experience building and supporting highly available, scalable microservices architectures.
• Hands-on engineering leader who actively contributes production code.
• Experience working in fast-paced environments with frequent production deployments.
• Knowledge of CI/CD pipelines, infrastructure automation, and cloud-native engineering.
• Strong understanding of software design, system architecture, observability, and performance optimization.
• Experience mentoring engineers and driving technical excellence across teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of backend engineers while remaining an active contributor to the codebase.
• Design, build, and scale cloud-native backend services using Python and Kotlin.
• Architect and optimize AWS-based distributed systems.
• Drive delivery of production-ready software in an environment with continuous deployment.
• Champion engineering best practices including testing, observability, reliability, and operational excellence.
• Mentor and develop engineers through technical guidance, code reviews, and career coaching.
• Partner with product, platform, and engineering leaders to define technical roadmaps.
• Implement AI-driven capabilities and automate software development lifecycle processes.
• Improve developer productivity through enhanced tooling, automation, and platform capabilities.
• Ensure system reliability, security, and performance across all services.

Skills

Backend engineering

Team leadership

Python

Kotlin

AWS

Distributed systems

Microservices

Hands-on coding

CI/CD

Observability

Mentoring

CS degree

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/Engineering or equivalent

Tools

Kubernetes

Terraform

CloudFormation

Maven/Gradle/Nx

Nx

Job description

Job Description A rapidly growing technology-driven organization is seeking a Lead Backend Software Engineer to help build and scale mission-critical platforms that support high-volume, real-time production environments. Based in Waltham, MA (Hybrid), this role is ideal for a hands-on technical leader who thrives in fast-paced engineering cultures where production code is deployed and delivered continuously throughout the day.
As a Lead Backend Engineer, you will balance technical leadership with active software development, guiding a team while remaining deeply involved in architecture, coding, and delivery. You will play a key role in shaping backend systems, advancing cloud-native infrastructure, and driving adoption of AI-powered development practices and solutions.
This position offers the opportunity to influence technical strategy, mentor engineers, and build highly scalable systems leveraging modern cloud technologies and AI-driven innovation.

Required Skills & Experience

• 10+ years of experience in Backend Software Engineering
• 2+ years of experience leading or managing software engineering teams
• Expert-level proficiency with Python and modern backend development practices
• Professional experience with Kotlin in production environments
• Strong AWS cloud platform experience, including designing and operating distributed systems
• Experience building and supporting highly available, scalable microservices architectures
• Hands-on engineering leader who actively contributes production code
• Experience working in fast-paced environments with frequent production deployments
• Knowledge of CI/CD pipelines, infrastructure automation, and cloud-native engineering
• Strong understanding of software design, system architecture, observability, and performance optimization
• Experience mentoring engineers and driving technical excellence across teams
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or equivalent practical experience

Desired Skills & Experience

• Experience leading platform engineering, developer experience (DevEx), or infrastructure-focused teams
• AI/ML experience, including implementing AI-powered tools, workflows, or products
• Experience with Agentic AI, AI-assisted software development, or SDLC automation
• Kubernetes (K8s) experience
• Infrastructure-as-Code experience (Terraform, CloudFormation, or similar)
• Experience with build tools such as Maven, Gradle, or Nx
• Familiarity with testing frameworks and modern observability platforms
• Experience working with globally distributed engineering teams

What You Will Be Doing

Daily Responsibilities

• 70% Hands-On Development
• 30% Team Leadership, Architecture, and Strategic Planning

Key Responsibilities

• Lead a team of backend engineers while remaining an active contributor to the codebase
• Design, build, and scale cloud-native backend services using Python and Kotlin
• Architect and optimize AWS-based distributed systems
• Drive delivery of production-ready software in an environment where code is released continuously throughout the day
• Champion engineering best practices including testing, observability, reliability, and operational excellence
• Mentor and develop engineers through technical guidance, code reviews, and career coaching
• Partner with product, platform, and engineering leaders to define technical roadmaps
• Implement AI-driven capabilities and automate software development lifecycle processes
• Improve developer productivity through enhanced tooling, automation, and platform capabilities
• Ensure system reliability, scalability, security, and performance across all services

The Offer

• Base Salary: $173,000 - $234,000
• Annual performance-based bonus opportunity
• Hybrid work model in Waltham, MA
• Opportunity to help shape the future of AI-enabled software engineering and platform development
• Leadership position with significant technical influence and growth opportunities

You will receive the following benefits

• Medical Insurance
• Dental Benefits
• Vision Benefits
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• 401(k)
• Life Insurance
• Disability Insurance
• Parental Leave

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the US on a full-time basis now and in the future.

Posted By: Nick Ramler