Lead Backend Software Engineer - Python/Kotlin/AWS

Kelly Services; 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 Partners in Waltham, MA is seeking a Lead Backend Software Engineer to build and scale mission-critical platforms in a hybrid environment. You will balance leadership with hands-on development, shaping backend systems, cloud-native infrastructure, and AI-driven development practices.

The role requires 10+ years in backend, 2+ years leading teams, expert Python and production Kotlin, strong AWS, microservices, CI/CD, observability, and the ability to deliver continuous

Qualifications

• 10+ years of backend software engineering experience
• 2+ years leading or managing software teams
• Expert-level Python and backend development
• Production Kotlin experience
• Strong AWS distributed systems design and operation
• Experience with highly available, scalable microservices
• Hands-on engineering leader contributing production code
• Experience with frequent production deployments
• Knowledge of CI/CD pipelines and cloud-native engineering
• Understanding of software design, system architecture, observability, and performance
• Experience mentoring engineers and driving technical excellence
• Bachelor's degree in CS or Engineering or equivalent

Responsibilities

• 70% Hands-On Development
• 30% Team Leadership, Architecture, and Strategic Planning
• Lead backend engineers while contributing to codebase
• Design, build, and scale cloud-native services using Python and Kotlin
• Architect AWS distributed systems
• Drive production-ready software with continuous deployments
• Champion best practices including testing, observability, reliability
• Mentor engineers through technical guidance and code reviews
• Define technical roadmaps with product and platform leadership
• Implement AI-driven capabilities and automate SDLC processes
• Improve developer productivity with tooling and platform enhancements
• Ensure system reliability, security, and performance across services

Skills

Python

Kotlin

AWS

Microservices

Leadership

CI/CD

Observability

Mentoring

Team Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS or Engineering

Tools

Kubernetes

Terraform

CloudFormation

Maven/Gradle/Nx

Nx

Docker

Job description

$173000 - $234000

Job DescriptionA 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 DoingDaily 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.

Motion Recruitment Partners (MRP) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All applicants must be currently authorized to work on a full-time basis in the country for which they are applying, and no sponsorship is currently available. Employment is subject to the successful completion of a pre-employment screening. Accommodation will be provided in all parts of the hiring process as required under MRP’s Employment Accommodation policy. Applicants need to make their needs known in advance.