Job Description

Job Title: Back-End Lead (Python Django AWS DevOps)
Location: Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu
Employment Type: Full-Time
Reporting To: Head of Operations
About the Role
The Back-End Lead is a senior engineering leadership role responsible for backend architecture, API engineering, cloud infrastructure, DevOps automation, security, performance, CI/CD governance, and production readiness across all Oliya divisions - Academy internal systems, Digital Agency delivery, and Oliya Labs MVP incubation.
This role demands deep technical mastery of Python, Django, Django REST Framework (DRF), PostgreSQL, AWS (EC2, S3, RDS, CloudFront, IAM, Route 53), Docker, GitHub Actions, CI/CD pipelines, CloudWatch monitoring, and the ability to architect scalable, secure, and maintainable systems.
Unlike trainer roles, this position is entirely delivery- and architecture-focused, leading real client and internal product engineering initiatives.
Key Responsibilities
1. Backend Architecture & System Design

• Architect end-to-end server-side systems using Python, Django, and DRF.
• Define API contracts, micro-endpoints, data schemas, and versioning strategies.
• Establish backend architecture patterns including:

• Modular apps and reusable services
• Service-layer design (serializers, managers, domain logic)
• Caching strategies (Redis awareness)
• Async task flows (Celery/RQ awareness)
• Implement enterprise security practices: JWT/OAuth2, CSRF, CORS, RBAC, rate limiting.
• Create OpenAPI/Swagger documentation pipelines.

2. Cloud Infrastructure (AWS) & Deployment Ownership

• Architect and manage production-grade deployments using AWS:

• EC2 for compute
• S3 for static/media assets
• RDS (PostgreSQL) for scalable database hosting
• CloudFront for CDN distribution
• Route 53 for DNS & domain routing
• IAM for secure identity & access control (least-privilege policies)
• CloudWatch for logs, server metrics & alarms
• Configure and harden Nginx + Gunicorn stacks for production.
• Implement SSL/TLS, HTTPS-only endpoints, secure headers, and monitoring.

3. DevOps, CI/CD & Automation

• Build and maintain automated pipelines using GitHub Actions and AWS CodePipeline/CodeBuild.
• Implement CI/CD for:

• Backend unit tests (PyTest)
• Integration tests
• API regression workflows
• Docker image builds and deployment
• Oversee Dockerisation of backend environments using Docker & Docker Compose.
• Establish infrastructure-as-code patterns (awareness of Terraform/CloudFormation preferred).

4. Database Design, Optimisation & Scalability

• Lead schema modeling & migrations in PostgreSQL.
• Optimise ORM queries, indexing strategies, and caching.
• Design multi-environment DB workflows (dev staging prod).
• Implement data archival, backups, retention strategies, and PITR (RDS snapshots).
• Ensure ACID compliance, referential integrity, and transaction safety.

5. Delivery Leadership & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Collaborate with Front-End Lead to ensure API alignment, response consistency, pagination, and error standards.
• Work with BA/PM to translate business requirements into technical designs and sprint-ready tasks.
• Partner with QA for test strategies, defect triage, regression cycles, and UAT.
• Enable seamless integration with Digital Marketing, UX, CRM, and Analytics systems.
• Participate in daily stand-ups, sprint planning, demos, and retros.

6. Code Quality, Reviews & Governance

• Conduct deep technical PR reviews for backend and full-stack developers.
• Drive adoption of:

• Domain-driven design principles
• SOLID-inspired backend patterns
• PEP8 compliance & linting
• Logging, exception handling & observability standards
• Maintain strict Git workflows: protected branches, PR templates, codeowners.

7. Mentorship & Internal Capability Building

• Mentor backend developers & full-stack associates on:

• Architecture
• Debugging
• API design patterns
• AWS cloud fundamentals
• DevOps workflows
• Conduct backend masterclasses and knowledge-sharing sessions.
• Build reusable backend starter templates and architecture decision records (ADRs).

Technical Expertise Requirements
Core Backend Technologies

• Python 3.x
• Django (MVT architecture)
• Django REST Framework (DRF)
• PostgreSQL (RDS + local)
• Redis (awareness)
• PyTest, Postman/Newman
• Nginx + Gunicorn

AWS & Cloud Expertise

• EC2, S3, RDS, CloudFront, IAM, Route 53
• CloudWatch (metrics, alarms, logs)
• AWS CodePipeline / CodeBuild (preferred)
• VPC basics (subnets, security groups)

DevOps & CI/CD

• GitHub Actions
• Docker, Docker Compose
• Linux administration & shell scripting
• Environment variable management & secrets handling

Security & Compliance

• JWT/OAuth2
• CORS/CSRF
• HTTPS enforcement
• Basic OWASP Top 10 awareness

Cross-Functional Awareness

• React/React Native frontend integration patterns
• Figma developer handoff (API visual alignment)
• GA4/Looker Studio (analytics pipeline awareness)
• CRM pipelines (HubSpot/Freshworks integration awareness)

Profile Requirements

• 7 12+ years of professional backend engineering experience.
• Proven experience designing and deploying production-grade Django/DRF systems.
• Strong AWS cloud architecture capability.
• Experience managing developers and leading delivery pods.
• Excellent debugging, optimisation, and problem-solving capabilities.
• Strong communication and documentation discipline.
• Ability to thrive in fast-paced, multi-project, cross-functional delivery environments.

Skills Required