Python developer Jobs in Chicago, IL

(Local candidates only as F2F Interview is must)

Position Overview

The client is seeking a highly experienced Python Developer to support a large-scale enterprise application being implemented on AWS. This is a hands-on software development role focused on building and maintaining complex Python applications that manipulate and process large datasets.

This is not a Data Engineering, ETL, API, web development, or Java-focused position. The ideal candidate will have 6+ years of recent, hands-on Python development experience using pandas and be able to clearly explain the business logic they have developed in previous projects.

The Hiring Manager is specifically looking for developers who have built complex Python solutions from the ground up-not candidates whose experience is primarily centered around ETL tools, APIs, interface development, or basic data cleanup.

Candidates must be local to the Chicago area and able to work in a hybrid environment. Candidates willing to relocate may be considered as a last option.

Top 5 Required Skills

• 6+ years of recent, hands-on Python development leveraging pandas (REQUIRED)
• AWS application development experience
• Docker
• Linux and Windows environments
• Git version control

What You'll Be Working On

You will be developing software for the FareWorks platform, focusing on:

• Building complex Python applications that process and manipulate large-scale datasets
• Developing business logic using Python and pandas
• Supporting enterprise applications running within AWS
• Designing scalable backend solutions
• Troubleshooting and optimizing production systems
• Working closely with architects, platform engineers, and business stakeholders

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, test, document, and maintain enterprise software applications.
• Build and enhance backend services supporting large-scale AWS solutions.
• Develop efficient Python applications for processing and manipulating large datasets.
• Write clean, maintainable, and scalable code following software engineering best practices.
• Participate throughout the full software development lifecycle, including design, development, testing, deployment, and production support.
• Analyze production issues, perform root cause analysis, and implement permanent solutions.
• Collaborate with architects, developers, and business teams to translate requirements into technical solutions.
• Produce technical documentation, specifications, and implementation designs.
• Participate in code reviews and maintain high coding standards.
• Contribute to CI/CD processes and deployment automation.
• Provide technical estimates, impact analysis, and project status updates.

Required Qualifications

• 6+ years of recent professional Python development experience using pandas (required and must be clearly demonstrated on the resume)
• Strong experience writing complex Python code involving business logic and large-scale data manipulation
• Experience developing applications within AWS
• Experience with boto3
• Docker containerization
• Linux and Windows development environments
• Git version control
• Agile/Scrum development methodologies
• Experience with CI/CD pipelines and DevOps practices
• Experience using monitoring and observability tools such as CloudWatch, Dynatrace, or Datadog

Nice-to-Have Skills

• MySQL
• Amazon RDS
• Amazon Redshift
• Apache Iceberg
• Automation and scripting experience

What We're Looking For

The Hiring Manager is specifically seeking candidates who can demonstrate real-world Python programming expertise rather than simply listing Python on their resume.

Strong candidates will have:

• Extensive hands-on coding experience using Python and pandas
• Experience building complex business logic-not just data pipelines
• Experience manipulating and transforming large datasets
• The ability to clearly explain the Python solutions they personally designed and implemented
• Recent experience with AWS-based development

Candidates Who Are NOT a Fit

The following backgrounds are generally not aligned with this opportunity:

• Data Engineers whose primary focus is ETL pipelines
• API or web/interface developers with limited Python coding depth
• Java developers with minimal Python experience
• Candidates whose Python experience is limited to scripting, automation, or data cleanup
• Resumes that list Python keywords but cannot demonstrate deep hands-on development experience during technical interviews