Lead Software Developer

Jazwares Careers•Plantation, FL

20h

About The Position

The Lead Software Developer serves as the primary technical leader and manager for the development team, responsible for overseeing the delivery of high-quality, scalable software solutions that align with strategic business objectives. This role bridges the gap between individual contributors and management, providing both hands-on technical expertise and team leadership. The Lead Software Developer will guide architectural decisions, mentor senior and junior developers, manage technical roadmaps, and ensure the team operates efficiently using Python, Django, React, and modern development practices, including AI-assisted coding tools. This role requires strong leadership capabilities alongside deep technical proficiency.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field strongly preferred
8+ years of software development experience
5+ years of experience with Python and modern web frameworks (Django required)
3+ years of hands-on experience with React and front-end development
2+ years of experience in a technical leadership or team lead role
Proven track record of successfully leading and delivering multiple complex software projects simultaneously
Demonstrated experience managing and mentoring development teams
Exceptional communication skills with ability to translate technical concepts for both technical teams and executive leadership
Strong business acumen with ability to align technical decisions with business strategy
Proven leadership and people management skills including conflict resolution, performance management, and team building
Expert-level analytical and problem-solving skills with ability to tackle ambiguous, complex challenges
Strategic thinking with ability to balance short-term delivery with long-term technical vision
Expert proficiency in Python and Django framework
Advanced proficiency with React.js and modern JavaScript (ES6+)
Deep expertise in PostgreSQL including query optimization, indexing strategies, and database design
Strong understanding of Git/GitHub workflows, branching strategies, and code review processes
Solid knowledge of RESTful API design and system integration patterns
Experience with AI coding tools (e.g., GitHub Copilot, ChatGPT) and ability to train others
Advanced understanding of web security, authentication/authorization mechanisms, and security best practices
Expert debugging and troubleshooting skills across the full stack

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of Infrastructure as Code (Terraform, CloudFormation) containerization technologies (Docker, ECS, EKS) and GraphQL
Understanding of CI/CD pipelines and automated deployment processes
AWS certifications (Solutions Architect Professional, Developer, or SysOps Administrator)
Advanced knowledge of TypeScript, HTMX, and GraphQL
Experience integrating AI/ML models or APIs into production applications
Expertise in serverless architecture, microservices patterns, and distributed systems design
Experience in a global organization
Multi-lingual a plus

Responsibilities

Lead and manage a team of senior and junior software developers, including workload distribution, performance management, and career development
Own technical architecture and design decisions for the team's applications, ensuring scalability, maintainability, and alignment with organizational standards
Collaborate with leadership and business stakeholders to define technical roadmaps, project priorities, and translate business requirements into technical strategies
Establish and enforce coding standards, development workflows, and best practices through code reviews and technical guidance
Design and implement complex features using Python, Django, and React while serving as the escalation point for critical technical challenges
Drive adoption of AI coding tools and emerging technologies across the team to maximize productivity and innovation
Manage technical debt, prioritize refactoring efforts, and balance feature delivery with long-term system health
Lead Agile ceremonies, remove blockers, and ensure team alignment on goals and sprint deliverables
Coordinate with cross-functional teams (DevOps + Infrastructure) to ensure seamless delivery pipelines and system integration
Establish team performance metrics, monitor development velocity, and drive continuous improvement initiatives
Maintain comprehensive documentation of system architecture, design decisions, and technical processes
Conduct regular 1-on-1s with team members to provide mentorship, career guidance, and performance feedback
Complete performance reviews and evaluations, documenting achievements and areas for development
Assign and evaluate work, ensuring appropriate task distribution based on skills, capacity, and development goals