Senior Backend / Python Engineer

Job Description

As a Backend Software Engineer at CredLens, you will be instrumental in designing and building our platform using Python/Flask/SqlAlchemy. You will work closely with a small, cohesive team including Software, DevOps, & Data Engineers as well as Data Scientists to build a brand-new platform to manage and visualize non-degree credential data. You’ll primarily be working on our application microservices, and you’ll also be expected to work on AWS CDK, data technologies such as Airflow and Airbyte, as well as dabbling in a little front-end work with react/next.js if you’re curious.

This is a green-field build-out, reporting directly to the CTO, providing an exciting opportunity to shape the future of our platform as well as the opportunity to develop into leadership or architectural lead roles. Note that this is a hybrid role based out of our Washington, DC Office.

CredLens is building a nonprofit national data trust focused on verified outcomes for non-degree credentials. The effort is an initiative launched by the Strada Education Foundation in 2024. CredLens will deliver actionable insights and power ongoing research for industry-based, professional, and workforce credentials.

CredLens is designed to fill the data gap for non-degree credentials. The attainment of these credentials is growing, but there is little to no data tracking their outcomes. CredLens will offer tailored data analytics and visualizations to credential issuers, workforce training providers, philanthropic funding partnerships, and state system partnerships to support the continuous improvement of credential quality and to support informed funding and scaling decisions.

Key Responsibilities

• Take a lead role in building the backend tier of our secure portal in Python & Flask, partnering actively with both front-end and data engineers to ensure a coherent end-to-end implementation of our vision
• Actively engage in building out IaC with AWS CDK
• Occasionally implement and enhance Airbye Connectors & Airflow DAGs within the data stack
• Implement and maintain security best practices to protect data integrity and privacy, and have an active role in ensuring secure coding practices
• Build strong unit and integration tests, and ensure strong quality practices are followed in all development work
• Coach & mentor junior engineers and actively engage in code reviews and PRs

The Person: Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, information technology, or a related field is preferred but not mandatory

Experience Required

• Minimum 8 years of full-stack development experience with at least 4 years in Python with a strong preference for Flask & SQLAlchemy
• Strong proficiency with Docker, Postgres, Git, PyTest, Alembic
• Excellent problem-solving skills, attention to detail, & curiosity
• Experience coaching & mentoring junior developers

Experience Preferred

• AWS IaC using Python CDK
• AWS technologies such as EKS & Lambda
• Data Engineering or Data Science
• Working in a startup or non-profit environment

Values Alignment

• Passion for education and technology, with a commitment to CredLens’ mission and values.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build relationships with diverse stakeholders
• Demonstrated alignment with CredLens guiding values, commitment to building a strong and healthy workplace culture, and working in a collaborative environment.
• Commitment and professional experience in advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion within an organization, including incorporating stakeholder perspectives in the design, implementation, and evaluation of work efforts.

Travel Requirements

Minimal travel but hybrid work model and expected to be in the DC office at least 2 days per week.

Committed to providing equitable pathways to opportunity through PSET, particularly for individuals who have faced significant barriers. Demonstrated alignment with CredLens’ guiding values, commitment to building a strong and healthy workplace culture, and working in a collaborative environment.

Adept at operationalizing strategy and effectively communicating strategic endeavors within the organization and in external contexts, both verbally and in writing. Particular skill in designing annual plans, monitoring progress, and refining plans as needed. Adaptable with tolerance for ambiguity. Able to problem-solve and navigate varied viewpoints. Capacity to refine efforts based on evidence that change is needed. Ability to lead efforts to visualize and monitor change. Capability to see and support innovative ideas and opportunities across the organization, and to embed innovation within operational plans. Capabilities in taking the perspective of others and adapting an agenda and approach – toward a shared aim – accordingly.

Ability to effectively utilize a hypothesis-driven approach to problem solving, with effective quantitative and communication skills. Ability to take on broad-reaching and sometimes ambiguous questions while working collaboratively and cross-functionally with Strada team members across the organization.

Ability to translate innovative, strategic ideas into tangible, actionable steps, as well as to effectively monitor progress and partner with others on identifying improvements during implementation to increase the likelihood of successful execution.

Commitment and professional experience advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion within and organization, including incorporating stakeholder perspectives in the design, implementation, and evaluation of strategic efforts.

Demonstrated ability to cultivate, grow, and manage positive, mutually beneficial relationships at all levels of an organization and with partners outside the organization. Strong communication, interpersonal and relationship management skills—including identifying and working through challenges—underscored by strong judgment and emotional intelligence. Proven collaborator, able to work with colleagues at all levels in the organization. 

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are central to CredLens’ organizational vibrancy, employee experience, and mission. We strongly encourage applicants from people of color/the global majority, immigrant, bilingual, and bicultural individuals; people with disabilities, members of the LGBTQIA2S+ and gender nonconforming communities; and people with other diverse backgrounds and lived experiences. We believe every member on the team enriches our workplace by exposing us to a broad range of ways to understand and engage with the world, identify challenges, and discover, design, and deliver critical insights and solutions.