Principal Python Engineer

About the job Principal Python Engineer (FastAPI/Azure/AKS) - Full Remote Portugal

Title: Principal Python Engineer (FastAPI/Azure/AKS) - Full Remote Portugal (Porto/Aveiro/Coimbra)

ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY

Join a collaborative engineering team building high-performance software systems that impact users worldwide. This is a technical partner role, not just an infrastructure-management position — you'll help build resilient, scalable systems while working in an agile, empathetic environment that values self-organization, courage to take risks, and continuous learning. You'll work closely with leadership (CEO/COO) and clients, guiding and teaching others along the way.

PROJECT & CONTEXT

You'll build software services and APIs using Python (ideally FastAPI), design and maintain secure cloud infrastructure (networking, WAF, CDN), and deploy scalable services using Terraform, Kubernetes (AKS), and Docker. You'll also implement end-to-end data solutions across real-time (Kafka/Kinesis) and batch architectures. AI-assisted coding is encouraged and should be used transparently. Occasional travel (0–15%) may be required depending on project and client needs.

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR (Required)

• Strong Python development skills, with deep expertise in FastAPI and web service architecture
• Deep experience with Azure and cloud infrastructure (Networking, WAF, CDN)
• Proficient in Infrastructure as Code using Terraform
• Strong hands-on experience with AKS / Kubernetes and Docker
• Solid understanding of engineering and architectural principles, applied to infrastructure and data modeling
• Excellent communicator, able to translate technical concepts to leadership and partners in English — fluent English required

NICE TO HAVE (Preferred)

• Collaboration experience with CI/CD workflows
• Experience building AI-enabled applications (recommendation or conversational systems, LLM/AI evaluation frameworks)
• Clear understanding of how AI systems differ from traditional deterministic systems
  
  Compensation: €2,500 – €3,100/month net, depending on experience and seniority level.
  
  Why HumanIT people stay (4.4 Glassdoor, 89% recommend)
  
  - 15th month salary
  - Health insurance covering your family
  - Birthday off
  - Mobility program for digital nomads
  - Real work-life balance
  
  Full benefits https://www.humanit.pt/careers/#perks
  What it's really like https://www.humanit.pt/careers/#work-at