Lead Backend Engineer (Payments Team)

We're looking for a Lead Backend Engineer to join and lead our Payments Team. This is a hands-on leadership role combining backend engineering, technical ownership, and team leadership. The Payments Team owns one of the most business-critical domains at InvestEngine, responsible for payment flows, external provider integrations, transaction reliability, and operational efficiency.

The team is entering an exciting stage where we are looking for a strong technical leader who can help simplify complex systems, improve reliability, drive architectural improvements, and scale both the platform and the team.

What You'll Do

• Design, develop, and maintain backend services in Python 3.11 using Django / DRF

• Lead technical initiatives across payments infrastructure and integrations

• Drive improvements in system reliability, observability, and operational excellence

• Work closely with Product, Operations, Compliance, and external partners

• Investigate production issues and identify root causes rather than temporary fixes

• Improve legacy systems and reduce technical debt

• Lead architectural discussions and technical decision-making

• Mentor engineers through code reviews, pairing, and technical guidance

• Take ownership of delivery, planning, and execution of complex projects

• Help grow and develop the engineering team

What We're Looking For

• 5+ years of backend development experience

• Strong Python and Django experience

• Experience leading projects or engineering teams

• Strong understanding of distributed systems, integrations, and system reliability

• Experience working with complex legacy systems and technical debt

• Ability to drive clarity in ambiguous situations

• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills

• Strong ownership mindset and proactive approach to problem-solving

• English (B2 level or higher) and fluent Russian

Nice to Have

• Experience in fintech, payments, banking, or other highly regulated industries

• Experience with AWS, Docker, MySQL, Redis, RabbitMQ, or Kafka

• Experience leading modernization or system migration initiatives

How We Work

We’re a lean, collaborative team where developers help shape architecture, product direction, and engineering culture. You’ll have real impact, autonomy, and the trust to build solutions that scale with the business — without micromanagement or heavy bureaucracy.

What We Offer

• Direct impact — work on business-critical systems and influence core architecture

• Strategic leadership opportunities — grow into a central technical role as we scale

• Modern tech stack — Python 3.11, Django, MySQL, Redis, AWS, GitHub, TeamCity

• Remote-first and flexible — work from anywhere, on your own schedule

• Unlimited vacation — take the time you need, when you need it

• A supportive, experienced team that values quality, learning, and delivering results

Hiring Process

• Intro call with our Talent team

• Technical interview with the Backend team

• Gamified cognitive assessment to understand how you think and problem-solve

• Final conversation with our CTO