Freelance Junior Python Developer Jobs in Washington

Job Description:

Job Title: Junior Python Engineer

Location: Lanham, MD

Reports To: Senior Software Engineer Team Lead

FLSA Status: Exempt

Position Summary

The Junior Python Engineer will play a hands-on role in supporting and evolving the software ecosystem behind Altumint’s device fleet and operational platforms. The position is heavily centered in Python development and offers broad exposure across backend engineering, DevOps, embedded Linux environments, infrastructure tooling, device management, and operational support.

A key initiative for this role will involve modernizing legacy internal management tools into a centralized, web-based operations portal using FastAPI and related technologies. The engineer will also support field operations by troubleshooting device-related issues, assisting with deployments, and contributing to tooling that improves reliability, scalability, and operational visibility.

This position offers a strong growth opportunity within a collaborative engineering environment. New team members will receive structured onboarding and mentorship, beginning with issue resolution and operational support before expanding into feature development and platform enhancement initiatives.

Responsibilities

Software Engineering & Platform Development

·       Assist in the migration of legacy Python scripts and desktop utilities into modern web-based operational tools and dashboards.

·       Contribute to backend application development using Python and FastAPI.

·       Develop and maintain tools used for device provisioning, diagnostics, monitoring, and fleet management.

·       Write clean, maintainable, and well-documented code within a large existing codebase.

Fleet Operations & Technical Support

·       Investigate and resolve software and device-related issues impacting field operations.

·       Support software deployments, system updates, and operational monitoring across distributed device fleets.

·       Troubleshoot production issues and collaborate with engineering and operations teams to implement sustainable solutions.

DevOps, Infrastructure & Security

·       Support CI/CD pipeline improvements, automated deployment processes, and build tooling initiatives.

·       Assist with Linux-based infrastructure tasks, provisioning automation, and device hardening activities.

·       Participate in operational security and compliance-related initiatives as needed.

Quality & Collaboration

·       Write and maintain unit and integration tests for new and existing functionality.

·       Collaborate cross-functionally with QA, operations, implementation, and engineering teams to ensure solutions align with operational and customer requirements.

·       Contribute to continuous improvement efforts across engineering processes, tooling, and system reliability.

Qualifications

Required:

·       Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related technical discipline — or equivalent practical experience.

·       Proficiency in Python with the ability to write organized, readable, and maintainable code.

·       Foundational understanding of web application development, REST APIs, and HTTP concepts.

·       Exposure to Python web frameworks such as FastAPI, Flask, or Django.

·       Familiarity with Linux operating systems and command-line environments.

·       Experience using Git version control in a collaborative development environment.

·       Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities with attention to detail.

·       Effective communication and collaboration skills.

·       Demonstrated willingness to learn across multiple technical domains, including software development, infrastructure, DevOps, and security.

Preferred Qualifications:

·       Experience developing applications with FastAPI or Flask.

·       Familiarity with SQL and relational databases such as PostgreSQL or SQLite.

·       Exposure to CI/CD tools and workflows including GitHub Actions, GitLab CI, or Jenkins.

·       Experience with Linux system administration concepts such as systemd, package management, and shell scripting.

·       Familiarity with Docker or containerized development environments.

·       Exposure to cloud platforms such as AWS, Azure, or GCP.

·       Interest or experience in IoT, edge computing, machine learning, computer vision, or intelligent transportation technologies.

·       Experience supporting solutions in industries such as smart infrastructure, traffic enforcement, public safety technology, or connected devices.