Backend Python Engineer (Expert)

We foster a dynamic culture rooted in strong engineering, a sense of ownership, and transparency, empowering our team. As part of the expanding VirtusLab Group, we offer a compelling environment for those seeking to make a substantial impact in the software industry within a forward-thinking organization.

About the role

Design and build backend systems in Python with a focus on system architecture and reliability. You’ll shape solutions end-to-end, from data flows to integration with distributed components (e.g. messaging). Expect ownership, mentoring juniors, and space to influence technical direction. Great role for someone who enjoys system design and growing into a lead architect.

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Project

Mojra

Project scope

In collaboration with client bioinformatics and data science teams, we are building a platform to manage data flows from hundreds of connected laboratory instruments. The main objective is to industrialise the current MVP into a production-grade system. The solution provides a single source of truth for scientific data, supports data lineage and versioning (“time travel”), ensures reliable cold storage, and enables near real-time streaming and processing for analysis.  

What we do:

– Design and build backend services in Python to support scientific data pipelines.– Architect and implement event-driven integrations using Kafka and/or AWS Kinesis.– Ensure robustness and scalability of the system for future instrument onboarding.– Work on reliable data ingestion from Windows-based scientific instruments.– Provide near real-time data streaming as well as secure long-term storage.– Develop architecture patterns for extensibility and maintainability.– Mentor and support a junior-heavy client team to raise engineering standards.  

Tech stack

Python (3.10+) with FastAPI and async stackKafka / AWS Kinesis for eventingPostgres for metadata and operational stateAWS (MSK, S3, Lambda, IAM) as cloud backboneNext.js + Tauri frontend for instrument interactionGitHub, CI/CD pipelines, Infrastructure as Code (Terraform, AWS CDK) 

Challenges

The current MVP, built rapidly to prove feasibility, requires transformation into a reliable and extensible production platform. The main challenge is dealing with the heterogeneity of hundreds of lab instruments, mostly Windows-based, and ensuring consistent data capture and lineage. Another challenge is balancing scientific requirements with sound software engineering practices, while ensuring the architecture remains future-proof.  

Team

The team consists of 10 engineers distributed across Poland and Brazil, supported by domain experts in bioinformatics. The client’s team is primarily bioinformatics specialists with strong domain expertise but limited experience in system design. Our role is to provide architectural leadership, backend expertise, and hands-on mentoring to enable them to build a sustainable platform. 

What we expect in general

• 8+ years of backend development experience, including 5+ years with Python

• Proven track record in system architecture and distributed systems design

• Experience with messaging systems (Kafka or RabbitMQ) and relational databases (Postgres)

• Strong knowledge of cloud environments (AWS preferred)

• Degree in Computer Science, Bioinformatics or related field

• Fluent English, minimum C1 level

A few perks of being with us

• Building tech community

• Flexible hybrid work model

• Home office reimbursement

• Language lessons

• MyBenefit points

• Private healthcare

• Training Package

• Virtusity / in-house training

And a lot more!