Senior Python/Django Tech Lead (Backend)

Follett Corporation; Westchester (IL); On-site; USD 40,000 - 172,000; Full time

Job summary

Follett Corporation seeks a Team Lead, Python/Django Engineer in Westchester, IL to drive backend services and data architectures. You will own architecture decisions, mentor engineers, and champion AI-assisted development within a backend-first team that integrates with enterprise systems.

Responsibilities include shaping technical direction, ensuring robust data models, and leading integration efforts with cloud and containerized deployments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent practical experience in CS/Engineering.
• 7+ years of professional software engineering with Python and Django.
• Deep hands-on Django expertise (models, ORM, DRF, admin, middleware).
• Strong PostgreSQL experience: schema design, indexing, migrations.

Responsibilities

• Set architecture direction and coding standards for Python/Django services.
• Review and guide React front-end work aligned with backend patterns.
• Own PostgreSQL data architecture end-to-end, including migrations and performance.
• Lead enterprise integrations and event-driven architectures with queues and third-party APIs.
• Drive CI/CD improvements, test automation, deployment safety, and rollbacks.
• Mentor engineers through pairing and code reviews; collaborate with managers on career growth.
• Partner with product, QA, and platform teams to scope work and inform timelines.
• Champion secure coding practices and data handling policies.
• Own AI-assisted development practices and tooling.
• Communicate trade-offs clearly to engineers and stakeholders.

Skills

Python

Django

PostgreSQL

REST APIs

CI/CD

Git

React

AI-assisted development

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related field

Tools

Docker

Kubernetes

Job description

Follett Corporation seeks a Team Lead, Python/Django Engineer in Westchester, IL to drive backend services and data architectures. You will own architecture decisions, mentor engineers, and champion AI-assisted development within a backend-first team that integrates with enterprise systems.

Responsibilities include shaping technical direction, ensuring robust data models, and leading integration efforts with cloud and containerized deployments.