Volunteer Python Django Backend Developer Jobs in Oak Brook, IL

Job Summary:
The University of Chicago's TMW Center for Early Learning + Public Health is seeking a Senior Full Stack Engineer to join their engineering team. The role focuses on backend development within a Django system and contributes to a .NET platform, collaborating with other engineers and the CTO to build and maintain scalable software systems.
Responsibilities:
• Lead the development and maintenance of backend services and APIs in Django (primary) and .NET (secondary).
• Collaborate with front-end engineers to design and implement effective interfaces between the backend and the React.js client.
• Architect scalable data models, services, and integrations with third-party APIs.
• Contribute to system architecture decisions and help guide best practices in backend and full-stack development.
• Write clean, maintainable, and well-tested code across multiple systems.
• Participate in code reviews, technical design sessions, and cross-functional collaboration with product and design teams.
• Support CI/CD pipelines and ensure smooth deployments and system reliability.
• Mentor other engineers and contribute to improving development processes.
• Utilizes technical knowledge of existing and emerging technologies, including public cloud offerings from Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud.
• Investigates, analyzes and resolves day-to-day technical problems using standard procedures.
• Works with stakeholders to gather and analyze requirements for developmental programs. Receives a moderate level of guidance to design applications to meet University and business requirements.
• Performs code testing on components and works to ensure that appropriate implementation standards are met. Evaluates design alternatives for development cost and solutions using various methods.
• Supports and maintains existing applications. Works with web developers and responds to requests from users.
• Performs other related work as needed.
Qualifications:
Required:
• Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.
• Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.
• Proven experience building web applications with Python/Django.
• Working knowledge of C# / .NET frameworks and services.
• Comfortable working with React.js and modern front-end tooling.
• Experience designing and consuming RESTful APIs; understanding of web performance and security principles.
• Strong database skills with PostgreSQL and/or SQL Server.
• Familiarity with cloud environments (AWS, Azure, or similar).
• Lead the development and maintenance of backend services and APIs in Django (primary) and .NET (secondary).
• Collaborate with front-end engineers to design and implement effective interfaces between the backend and the React.js client.
• Architect scalable data models, services, and integrations with third-party APIs.
• Contribute to system architecture decisions and help guide best practices in backend and full-stack development.
• Write clean, maintainable, and well-tested code across multiple systems.
• Participate in code reviews, technical design sessions, and cross-functional collaboration with product and design teams.
• Support CI/CD pipelines and ensure smooth deployments and system reliability.
• Mentor other engineers and contribute to improving development processes.
• Investigates, analyzes and resolves day-to-day technical problems using standard procedures.
• Works with stakeholders to gather and analyze requirements for developmental programs. Receives a moderate level of guidance to design applications to meet University and business requirements.
• Performs code testing on components and works to ensure that appropriate implementation standards are met. Evaluates design alternatives for development cost and solutions using various methods.
• Supports and maintains existing applications. Works with web developers and responds to requests from users.
• Performs other related work as needed.
• Resume (required)
• Cover Letter (required)
Preferred:
• Advanced Degree in data science, data analytics, computer science, software engineering or related fields strongly preferred.
• Experience with containerization and orchestration tools (Docker, Kubernetes).
• Exposure to TypeScript, GraphQL, or other modern web technologies.
• Familiarity with CI/CD systems (GitHub Actions, Azure DevOps, etc.).
• Prior experience in a startup or rapidly scaling environment.
Company:
University of Chicago is a world-renowned, private research university located in Chicago. Founded in 1890, the company is headquartered in Chicago, USA, with a team of 10001+ employees. The company is currently Late Stage.