Lead Developer (Python /Node.js +React)

Thoughtworks; Sydney Township (ND); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Thoughtworks is seeking a Lead Developer who will be the primary client contact and ensure teams deliver with strategic and technical rigor.

The role blends high-level thinking with hands-on coding, coaching, and mentoring while pushing engineering excellence across projects.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of full stack development in Python/Node.js + React.
• Experience leading software teams using Agile, Lean and/or Continuous delivery.
• Knowledge of TDD, CI, pairing and automation.
• Nice to have cloud tech experience (AWS, Docker, Kubernetes).

Responsibilities

• Champion best practices: clean, reusable code with TDD and design patterns.
• Oversee the full delivery cycle from ideation to production.
• Advocate continuous delivery to ship high-quality software early.
• Design tech solutions, tradeoffs, and tooling to meet client needs.
• Collaborate across teams to build features and UX-aligned prototypes.
• Apply modern tech thinking from Thoughtworks’ Radar to solve problems.
• Code alongside developers; stay hands-on rather than post-technical.
• Leverage DevSecOps to automate builds and deployments and push left security.
• Mentor peers and foster an inclusive, high-performing culture.

Skills

Full stack Python/Node.js + React

Agile / Lean / Continuous

TDD / CI / Pair programming

Infra automation

Learning & adaptation

Tools

AWS

Docker

Kubernetes

Job description

Lead Developers act as the primary point of contact for our clients, ensuring that teams are successful in their delivery. In this role, you will bring a strategic mindset to projects and spend time collaborating and negotiating with clients to bring a technical vision to life. Having a balance of high-level and tactical mindsets is a must, as you will spend time both with clients and your teammates.

At Thoughtworks, we believe in going above and beyond the standard and are committed to delivering best‑in‑class solutions that exceed our clients' expectations. Our standard engineering and delivery practices reflect our commitment to quality, and our team is always looking to innovate and improve. Lead Developers guide and coach their teams in their implementation and application.

Job responsibilities

• You will champion and adopt best practices like writing clean and reusable code using TDD, pair programming and design patterns
• You will oversee or take part in the entire cycle of software consulting and delivery from ideation to evolution in production and everything in between
• You will use and advocate for continuous delivery practices to deliver high‑quality software as well as value to end customers as early as possible
• You will design solutions and choose technologies that solve clients’ problems while working within constraints and make pragmatic tradeoffs
• You will collaborate with a variety of teammates to build features, design concepts and interactive prototypes and ensure best practices and UX specifications are embedded along the wayYou will apply the latest technology thinking from our Technology Radar to solve client problems
• You will apply a variety of languages and tools to your work and continue to code alongside Developers; you will not be post‑technical in this role
• You will efficiently utilize and champion DevSecOps tools and practices to build and deploy software, advocating devops culture and shifting security left in development
• You will cultivate Thoughtworker growth and development by encouraging feedback and fostering an inclusive, supportive team culture

Job qualifications

Technical Skills

• You have at least 8 years of full stack experience using Python/Nodejs + React with experience in object‑oriented programming.
• You have led software development teams using Agile, Lean and/or Continuous
• Knowledge of delivery approaches such as TDD, continuous integration, pairing and infrastructure automation
• Bonus points if you have knowledge of cloud technology such as AWS, Docker or Kubernetes
• You enjoy continuously learning and improving, whether it is through functional programming paradigms, event driven architecture, platform engineering or others

Professional Skills

• You have experience influencing others and always advocate for technical excellence while being open to change when needed
• You bridge product and technology by helping to translate business needs to software requirements
• You have the ability to develop and execute a technical vision with a focus on business value
• You will act as a mentor for less experienced peers through both your technical knowledge and ability to inspire a team to deliver extraordinary impact together
• You’re resilient in ambiguous situations and can approach challenges from multiple perspectives

Other things to know

Learning & Development

There is no one‑size‑fits‑all career path at Thoughtworks: however you want to develop your career is entirely up to you. But we also balance autonomy with the strength of our cultivation culture. This means your career is supported by interactive tools, numerous development programs and teammates who want to help you grow. We see value in helping each other be our best and that extends to empowering our employees in their career journeys.

Onsite Work Expectation

You may be expected to work out of our Thoughtworks office or at our client’s office location for all five working days of the week, depending on business or clients’ needs.