Senior Engineer - Python

Introduction to role

AstraZeneca is currently seeking a full-stack Python Software Engineer to join our R&D IT Solution Delivery Team. This role will entail writing customized software solutions for preclinical and clinical applications, ensuring reliability, performance, and security, while supporting AstraZeneca’s digital transformation goals. You will be creating new features, enhancing existing features, providing bug fixes and will take responsibility for delivery of those features. You will work closely with senior engineers and mentor junior members in the team. The successful candidate will work across a variety of projects and technology stacks.

Accountabilities

The role of our ideal candidate will include but not limited to:

• Design and Development: Participate in designing software solutions and contribute significantly to the development of new features and functionalities.
• Code Quality: Ensure code quality through best practices, including writing clean, efficient, and maintainable code.
• Code Reviews: Conduct and participate in code reviews to maintain high code standards and provide constructive feedback to peers.
• Mentoring: Provide guidance and mentorship to junior engineers, helping them improve their technical skills and understanding of projects.
• Problem Solving: Analyse and resolve complex technical issues and assist the team in troubleshooting problems effectively.
• Testing and Debugging: Implement automation testing strategies, including unit and integration tests, and actively participate in debugging and performance optimization.
• Collaboration: Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including product, design, and QA, to ensure alignment and successful project delivery.
• Documentation: Maintain up-to-date documentation for software designs, processes, and codebases to ensure knowledge sharing and project continuity.
• Project Planning: Contribute to project planning and estimation efforts.
• Continuous Learning: Stay updated with new technologies, tools, and industry trends to bring innovative solutions to the team.
• Technical Leadership: Take ownership of components or modules of the software, driving their successful execution from design to deployment.
• Communication: Clearly communicate technical concepts and project statuses to stakeholders, including non-technical team members.

Essential Skills/Experience

Advanced Python Programming:

• Proficiency in Python, including advanced features such as decorators, generators, context managers, and multithreading/multiprocessing.
• Proficiency in dependency management in tools such as Pipenv, Poetry or Conda.

Front-end Python Experience:

• Strong understanding of front-end Python frameworks such as Flask and Django.
• Strong understanding of SPA frameworks like React or Angular.

AWS Proficiency:

• Strong understanding of core AWS services like EC2, S3, VPC, RDS, IAM, and Lambda.

Boto3 and AWS SDKs:

• Expertise in using Boto3 to automate AWS service interactions and deployments.

DevOps and CI/CD:

• Familiarity with DevOps practices and tools such as Jenkins or GitHub Actions to automate deployment processes.

Containerisation:

• Experience with Docker and container orchestration tools such as Kubernetes or AWS ECS/EKS.

Networking and Security:

• Awareness of AWS security best practices, including access management with IAM roles and policies.
• Experience of securing web applications with SSO and token-based authentication.

Database Management:

• Experience with relational and NoSQL databases.

API Development:

• Experience designing, building, and maintaining RESTful APIs.

Problem Solving and Debugging:

• Strong analytical skills to solve complex problems and troubleshoot efficiently.

Version Control and Collaboration:

• Proficiency with Git and collaborative development practices, including branching and merging strategies.

Test-Driven Development:

• Experience of writing unit and integration tests with tools such as Pytest.
• Experience of writing front-end unit tests with tools such as Jest.

Clean Coding:

• Strong skills in writing clean and maintainable code.

Agile methodologies:

• Experience of working with Agile methodologies, such as Scrum or Kanban.

Desirable Skills/Experience

• Experience in the scientific or pharmaceutical industry
• Understanding of the fundamentals of science and experience in the pharmaceutical sector
• Advanced end-to-end testing:
• Experience of testing methods such as shift-left testing and BDD.
• Serverless Architecture:
• Knowledge of building and managing serverless applications using components such as AWS Glue and AWS Batch.
• Microservices Architecture:
• Familiarity with designing and implementing a distributed architecture, particularly within AWS environments.
• Infrastructure as Code (IaC):
• Proficiency with CloudFormation, CDK or Terraform for managing cloud infrastructure.
• Advanced Security:
• Experience with security mechanisms such as SSO and OAuth2.
• Data Engineering:
• Skills in data processing and storage using tools such as DBT and Snowflake.
• Performance Optimization:
• Ability to analyse and improve application performance including cost optimization strategies on AWS.
• Soft Skills and Leadership:
• Strong interpersonal and leadership skills to lead teams or manage cross functional projects.
• Certification:
• AWS Certifications as recognition of expertise.

When we put unexpected teams in the same room, we unleash bold thinking with the power to inspire life-changing medicines. In-person working gives us the platform we need to connect, work at pace and challenge perceptions. That's why we work, on average, a minimum of three days per week from the office. But that doesn't mean we're not flexible. We balance the expectation of being in the office while respecting individual flexibility. Join us in our unique and ambitious world.

Working in Technology here means you'll be a self-starter who is comfortable stepping up and taking ownership, willing to constantly explore and challenge the status quo. You'll be empowered to orchestrate new possibilities, solve challenges and continuously innovate. Here you'll join hackathons, work with large data and challenge yourself to push new boundaries.

Ready to make a difference? Apply now!

AstraZeneca embraces diversity and equality of opportunity. We are committed to building an inclusive and diverse team representing all backgrounds, with as wide a range of perspectives as possible, and harnessing industry-leading skills. We believe that the more inclusive we are, the better our work will be. We welcome and consider applications to join our team from all qualified candidates, regardless of their characteristics. We comply with all applicable laws and regulations on non-discrimination in employment (and recruitment), as well as work authorisation and employment eligibility verification requirements.