Lead Python Developer, Backend

EPAM is a leading global provider of digital platform engineering and development services. We are committed to having a positive impact on our customers, our employees, and our communities. We embrace a dynamic and inclusive culture. Here you will collaborate with multi-national teams, contribute to a myriad of innovative projects that deliver the most creative and cutting-edge solutions, and have an opportunity to continuously learn and grow. No matter where you are located, you will join a dedicated, creative, and diverse community that will help you discover your fullest potential.
We are seeking a Lead Python Backend Developer to deliver secure, scalable AI-driven API services and agentic workflows for LLM integration. You will own API contracts, RAG orchestration, and service reliability across distributed systems, partnering with adjacent teams to keep quality high.
Responsibilities
Design and deliver backend API services plus LLM orchestration layers
Implement and operate end-to-end RAG pipelines, covering document ingestion, chunking, embedding, and retrieval optimization
Develop and wire up agent tools using orchestration frameworks
Ensure security, privacy, enterprise-grade observability, and test coverage across all backend workflows
Drive architecture choices and help shape engineering standards within the pod
Collaborate with frontend engineers, data engineers, and infrastructure teams to ship cohesive solutions
Own API contracts and end-to-end service reliability, ensuring AI edge cases fail gracefully
Integrate LLMs with rigorous systems engineering, including evaluation, observability, fallback handling, and cost awareness
Build dependable, reusable orchestration frameworks and logic for downstream developer consumption
Requirements
Proven backend engineering background with 5+ years of experience in microservices and distributed systems
High proficiency in Python for performant backend services and cloud-native APIs
Hands-on familiarity with AWS, Docker, and ECS/EKS
Solid understanding of RESTful APIs and API design principles
Strong foundation in secure coding practices with clear auth/authz fundamentals
English proficiency at B2 (Upper-Intermediate) level or higher
Nice to have
Production experience with AI SDKs such as OpenAI, Anthropic/Claude, AWS Bedrock, or equivalent
Practical exposure to vector databases (Amazon Kendra, OpenSearch), embedding strategies, and retrieval systems
Hands-on work with LangChain, LlamaIndex, or LangGraph
Familiarity with AI evaluation tooling or real-time APM such as LangSmith, Langfuse, or Arize
Skills in React and TypeScript
Experience deploying to EKS environments at scale
Understanding of agent interoperability patterns (MCP)
Knowledge of identity and security domains (IAM, CIAM)
Familiarity with secondary languages such as Java, Node.js, or Go
We offer
International projects with top brands
Work with global teams of highly skilled, diverse peers
Healthcare benefits
Employee financial programs
Paid time off and sick leave
Upskilling, reskilling and certification courses
Unlimited access to the LinkedIn Learning library and 22,000+ courses
Global career opportunities
Volunteer and community involvement opportunities
EPAM Employee Groups
Award-winning culture recognized by Glassdoor, Newsweek and LinkedIn
EPAM is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Work arrangement
Yes