Sr Software Engineer - C++ and Python

Job Title: Senior C++/Python Engineer - Internal Tools & Automation

About Appko and the Opportunity:

Appko is seeking a highly talented and self-driven Senior C++/Python Engineer to be a key driver in transforming our client's operational efficiency. This is an exceptional opportunity for an experienced full-stack developer with deep expertise in both C++ and Python to independently architect, develop, and deploy innovative internal tools for software engineering teams.

You will be instrumental in automating and visualizing currently manual processes, directly contributing to significant gains in team output and providing critical, actionable insights across the organization. As a vital member of our Software Engineering team, you will be empowered to deliver impactful solutions with minimal oversight, focusing on building internal tools that directly improve the efficiency and effectiveness of a system engineering team.

What You'll Do:

As a Senior C++/Python Engineer on the Appko team, you will be crucial to the success of a key client project by focusing on high-impact internal tools and automation. Your responsibilities will include:

• Leading the full lifecycle of internal tool development, from requirements gathering and design to implementation, testing, and deployment.
• Architecting and developing robust backend solutions and microservices primarily using Python, with potential involvement of C++ for performance-critical components.
• Building intuitive and data-rich web applications and dashboards using Python frameworks and modern frontend technologies to visualize automated results and key performance indicators.
• Designing and implementing RESTful and/or GraphQL APIs to facilitate data exchange and integration between internal tools and systems.
• Developing data pipelines to efficiently process and present information within the developed tools.
• Identifying and implementing automation opportunities to streamline manual processes and improve team productivity.
• Contributing to the design and architecture of scalable and maintainable software systems.
• Developing and maintaining core libraries and frameworks to support the development of large-scale internal web applications and automation workflows.
• Ensuring the quality and reliability of developed solutions through comprehensive testing (unit, integration, end-to-end).
• Collaborating effectively with senior software engineering teams to gather technical requirements and specifications.
• Managing personal workload, adhering to deadlines, and ensuring timely delivery of high-quality software.
• Working independently and communicating proactively with key stakeholders on project progress.

What You'll Bring (Desired Skills):

• Deep Proficiency in Python:Mastery of Pythonic principles, design patterns, concurrency (asyncio, threading, multiprocessing), and metaprogramming.
• Comfortable utilizing advanced features such as decorators, context managers, and generators for elegant and efficient code.
• Extensive experience with at least one major Python web framework (Django or Flask), including a thorough understanding of its architecture, ORM, routing, middleware, and templating systems (proficiency in both is highly valued).
• Proven ability to design, implement, and effectively interact with diverse database systems (e.g., PostgreSQL, MySQL, MongoDB, Redis), including optimized SQL queries, schema design, indexing, and data migrations. Experience with NoSQL databases is crucial.
• Expertise in designing and building scalable RESTful and/or GraphQL APIs with best practices, versioning, authentication (OAuth 2.0, JWT), and authorization.
• Deep commitment to writing comprehensive unit, integration, and end-to-end tests using frameworks like pytest, unittest, Selenium, and Playwright. Strong understanding of TDD principles.
• Hands-on experience with Docker and container orchestration tools (Kubernetes or Docker Compose) for building, deploying, and managing containerized applications.
• Solid understanding of at least one major cloud platform (AWS, GCP, Azure) and its relevant services.
• Comprehensive knowledge of web security vulnerabilities (OWASP Top 10) and mitigation strategies.
• Practical experience implementing various caching techniques (in-memory, Redis, Memcached, CDN).
• Experience working with message brokers (RabbitMQ or Kafka) for asynchronous systems.
• Strong Capabilities in C++:Solid understanding of C++ fundamentals, including memory management, multithreading, and performance optimization.
• Experience in developing high-performance backend systems or components using C++.
• Familiarity with distributed/multithreaded computing concepts.
• Essential Web Development Skills:Solid experience with at least one modern JavaScript framework/library (React - highly desirable, Angular, or Vue.js), including component-based architecture, state management, routing, and build tools.
• Strong foundational knowledge of semantic HTML, CSS (including preprocessors), and responsive design principles.
• Experience with frontend testing frameworks (e.g., Jest, Mocha, Cypress, Playwright).
• Understanding of UI/UX principles for creating intuitive internal tools.
• Proven experience in integrating frontend applications with backend APIs.
• "Tool Building" Acumen:Demonstrated ability to effectively gather and interpret requirements for internal tools through stakeholder collaboration.
• Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills to design and implement tailored solutions.
• A strong inclination towards identifying and implementing automation opportunities.
• A commitment to a user-centric approach in the development of internal tools.
• Advanced Computer Science Fundamentals: Strong understanding of OOAD, design patterns, data structures, and algorithms.
• Experience with Microservice Design and Development.
• Proficiency with Standard Development Tools: Git, JIRA.
• Experience working in Agile/Scrum environments.
• Excellent Communication and Collaboration Skills: Ability to clearly articulate technical concepts and collaborate effectively with engineering teams.
• Adaptability: Ability to quickly learn and become proficient in internal development tools and processes.

Bonus Points (Preferred Qualifications):

• Advanced degree (Master's or equivalent) in Computer Science or a related field.
• Experience building and maintaining robust server-side applications and scalable platforms.
• Proficiency in a Unix/Linux development environment.
• Adaptability to learn new programming languages as required.
• Proven ability to elevate team knowledge through code reviews, mentorship, and technical documentation.
• Experience with verification systems and JIRA workflows.
• Experience with Logsim.
• Experience with canonical evaluation workflows.
• Experience with Data Query Tools (Data warehouse, BigSQL, Data platforms for AI).
• Java backend experience (aligns with some backend requirements).

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or a closely related technical field, or equivalent practical experience.
• At least 10 years of hands-on professional experience in the full software development lifecycle.
• Extensive experience developing applications and tools using Python. Familiarity with C/C++ is advantageous.

Responsibilities:

• Lead the design, development, testing, and deployment of Python-centric backend solutions and microservices specifically designed to automate manual processes. A key aspect of this role involves building the APIs and data pipelines required to effectively present automated results and key performance indicators through engaging and informative web-based dashboards.
• Manage personal workload, adhere to deadlines, and ensure timely delivery of high-quality software.
• Build and maintain core libraries and frameworks to support the development of large-scale internal web applications and automation workflows.
• Contribute to engineering efforts throughout the project lifecycle, from planning to deployment, to solve complex technical challenges.
• Work independently and communicate on a daily basis to key stakeholders for the project.

Work Environment:

• ⓘ View potential timezone restrictions

  Timezone: Availability required for meetings with the engineering team between 9 AM - 2 PM Pacific Time (PST).

• Remote Work: Candidates must possess experience and the ability to work remotely with US clients, with daily working hours overlapping US hours by at least 3 hours.

• Requirements: Reliable high-speed internet and video conferencing capabilities are essential from the remote work location.