Lead Full Stack Ai, Python Developer

dvtcareers; Johannesburg; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Job summary

DVT is seeking a Lead Full Stack Python Developer to drive AI-enabled solutions, shape technical strategy, and lead clients through innovation. You will be a trusted advisor, technical leader, and key contributor to the growth of DVT's Python competency.

Candidate should be passionate about Python engineering, experienced delivering production-ready solutions, and excited by AI, Generative AI, and intelligent systems. Hybrid work options available.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of software development experience
• Strong expertise in Python development
• Extensive experience with Django and Django REST Framework
• Experience building scalable APIs and distributed systems
• Strong understanding of software architecture and design patterns
• Experience with relational databases such as PostgreSQL, SQL Server, or MySQL
• Experience building secure, maintainable, and scalable enterprise applications
• Strong testing practices using PyTest, Unit Testing, and Integration Testing

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and delivery of modern Python-based solutions
• Partner with clients to understand business challenges and translate them into technical solutions
• Provide technical leadership across project teams
• Mentor and coach developers, helping them grow their careers and technical capabilities
• Build scalable backend platforms, APIs, integrations, and data-driven applications
• Design and implement AI-enabled solutions using modern LLM frameworks and architectures
• Guide architecture decisions, best practices, and engineering standards
• Support pre-sales, technical workshops, and strategic client engagements
• Contribute to the growth of DVT's Python and AI communities

Skills

Python

Django

Django REST Framework

APIs

Distributed systems

PostgreSQL

SQL Server

MySQL

PyTest

Unit Testing

Generative AI

RAG

LangChain

Semantic search

OpenAI/Azure OpenAI

LLMs

Prompt engineering

Frontend: React

Frontend: Angular

Frontend: Vue.js

TypeScript

Azure

AWS

Google Cloud

Docker

Kubernetes

CI/CD

Infrastructure as Code

Microservices

Mentoring

Client engagement

Tools

PostgreSQL

SQL Server

MySQL

Docker

Kubernetes

Job description

DVT is one of the top software development and testing companies on the continent. With ourhybrid options, our vision is to be South Africa's favourite custom software solutions & services company, with a global footprint.

You will have the opportunity to work alongside some of the most established developers in the country with the latest technologies. DVT is committed to continuously training our staff and we are very proud of our culture of learning, from internal speaking and training to sponsoring a variety of technical events from DevConf to GDG.

Lead Full Stack Ai, Python Developer

Drive AI-enabled solutions, shape technical strategy, and lead clients through innovation

At DVT, we're looking for a Lead Full Stack Python Developer who combines deep technical expertise with a strong consulting mindset.

This role is about much more than writing code. You'll be a trusted advisor to clients, a technical leader within delivery teams, and a key contributor to the growth of DVT's Python competency. You'll help organisations solve complex business challenges using modern Python platforms, cloud-native architectures, and emerging AI technologies.

We're looking for someone who is passionate about Python engineering, experienced in delivering production-ready solutions, and excited by the possibilities of AI, Generative AI, and intelligent systems.

What You'll Do

• Lead the design and delivery of modern Python-based solutions
• Partner with clients to understand business challenges and translate them into technical solutions
• Provide technical leadership across project teams
• Mentor and coach developers, helping them grow their careers and technical capabilities
• Build scalable backend platforms, APIs, integrations, and data-driven applications
• Design and implement AI-enabled solutions using modern LLM frameworks and architectures
• Guide architecture decisions, best practices, and engineering standards
• Support pre-sales, technical workshops, and strategic client engagements
• Contribute to the growth of DVT's Python and AI communities

Core Technical Requirements

Backend Engineering (Essential)

• 8+ years of software development experience
• Strong expertise in Python development
• Extensive experience with Django and Django REST Framework
• Experience building scalable APIs and distributed systems
• Strong understanding of software architecture and design patterns
• Experience with relational databases such as PostgreSQL, SQL Server, or MySQL
• Experience building secure, maintainable, and scalable enterprise applications
• Strong testing practices using PyTest, Unit Testing, and Integration Testing

AI & Intelligent Systems

We are looking for someone who has begun applying AI in real-world environments rather than simply experimenting with prompts.

Experience with:

• Generative AI applications
• Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG)
• AI Guardrails and Responsible AI practices
• Vector databases and semantic search
• OpenAI, Azure OpenAI, Anthropic, or similar platforms
• LangChain, LlamaIndex, Semantic Kernel, or equivalent frameworks
• Prompt engineering and evaluation strategies
• AI solution architecture and governance

Frontend Development

We are not looking for a frontend specialist, but successful candidates should be comfortable working across the full stack.

Experience with some of the following:

• React
• Angular
• Vue.js
• TypeScript
• Modern JavaScript frameworks
• Frontend API integration and state management

Cloud, Data & DevOps

Experience with some of the following:

• Azure, AWS, or Google Cloud
• Containerisation using Docker
• Kubernetes
• CI/CD pipelines
• Infrastructure as Code
• Microservices and event-driven architectures
• Git and modern development workflows
• Monitoring and observability platforms

Consulting & Leadership Experience

This is what will differentiate great candidates from good candidates.

We're looking for someone who:

• Is comfortable engaging directly with clients
• Can facilitate technical workshops and architecture discussions
• Communicates complex technical concepts to both business and technical audiences
• Demonstrates strong stakeholder management skills
• Has experience leading development teams
• Enjoys mentoring and growing other engineers
• Brings a problem-solving and advisory mindset to engagements
• Can operate confidently in a consulting environment

What Success Looks Like

• Becoming a trusted technical advisor to our clients
• Leading high-performing engineering teams
• Shaping the future of AI-enabled delivery within DVT
• Grow and strengthen DVT's Python competency
• Contributing to thought leadership across Python, AI, and software engineering
• Delivering innovative solutions that create measurable business value

Why DVT?

At DVT, you'll work alongside some of the brightest minds in software engineering, data, cloud, and AI. You'll have the opportunity to influence technical direction, help organisations innovate, and play a leading role in the evolution of our growing Python and AI practice.

If you're passionate about Python, excited about AI, and thrive in a client-facing consulting environment, we'd love to hear from you.

Core keywords: Python, Django, Django REST Framework, AI, RAG, Guardrails, Azure OpenAI, LLMs, Consulting, Architecture, Technical Leadership, Cloud, Full Stack, Mentoring.

This will attract a far stronger DVT-consultant profile than the original advert because it positions Python + Django + AI + Client Advisory + Leadership as the primary requirements rather than a specific tech stack configuration.