Hello Sugar Remote is seeking a highly skilled Lead Backend Engineer who is passionate about hands-on development and has experience guiding a small engineering team.

This is a primarily technical role, with 80% hands-on coding and 20% team leadership. The ideal candidate is an active developer with deep expertise in Python, Django, APIs, PostgreSQL, and relational databases.

We are looking for a backend-focused full-stack developer who can contribute directly to production code while mentoring developers and establishing technical structure and strategy across projects.

Key Responsibilities

• 80% Hands-On Development: Design, develop, maintain, and optimize backend applications using Python and Django.
• 20% Technical Leadership: Mentor developers, provide technical guidance, and support a small engineering team.
• Establish coding standards, project structure, and technical strategy across multiple projects.
• Build, maintain, and optimize APIs and third-party integrations.
• Design and improve PostgreSQL databases, queries, and relational data structures.
• Review code, troubleshoot complex issues, and ensure maintainable, scalable solutions.
• Collaborate with frontend developers to deliver reliable, integrated applications.
• Directly manage and support a developer based in Romania.
• Remain actively involved in coding, debugging, and implementation rather than focusing primarily on management.

Required Qualifications

• 5+ years of active, hands-on experience with Python and Django.
• Advanced technical English proficiency, both written and spoken.
• Strong experience developing, maintaining, and integrating APIs.
• Advanced PostgreSQL knowledge and strong proficiency with relational databases.
• Strong backend development expertise, with an understanding of full-stack application development.
• Experience designing scalable, maintainable software architectures.
• Some team leadership, technical mentoring, or developer management experience. Experience leading a small team is sufficient.
• Currently active in software development and comfortable writing production code daily.
• Ability to establish coding standards, guide technical decisions, and collaborate with distributed teams.

Qualifications

• Full-stack development experience, particularly with React, Next.js, or TypeScript.
• Experience with Celery, FastAPI, or other Python frameworks.
• Familiarity with integrations such as Stripe, Shopify, Twilio, or Boulevard.
• Experience using AI-assisted development tools such as Claude Code or Cursor.
• Experience improving engineering workflows, testing practices, and code quality.

Compensation & Benefits

• Annual Compensation: $65,000–$75,000 USD
• Compensation package includes a 13th-month payment and performance-based bonus.
• Fully remote position.
• Opportunity to influence technical architecture and development strategy.
• Collaborative international engineering environment.

Who We're Looking For:

An experienced, backend-focused developer who enjoys coding, solving complex technical challenges, and helping other engineers grow.

We need someone who leads through technical expertise, remains hands-on with development, and can guide a small team without stepping away from daily coding.

📩 Apply by sending your resume to:

talent@hellosugarremote.com