Backend Tech Lead - Python/Go [AI LAB]

🏅 What we're looking for

• Python depth with a leadership track record: Strong production experience in Python, with experience setting technical direction in a team — Go and/or Ruby are a plus for Qonto service integrations.
• IC-first mindset: You've grown into a lead or management role but genuinely want to keep shipping. 70% coding time isn't a constraint — it's what draws you to this role.
• Product-driven mindset: You come from a product-driven, user-centric environment — you make technical decisions with the user outcome in mind and bring that lens to the engineers around you.
• AI-native workflow: Daily use of AI coding tools (Cursor, Claude Code, Copilot) is a baseline expectation. You use them yourself and set the example for your squad.
• AI curiosity over AI expertise: Production AI experience not required — what matters is genuine curiosity about building AI-powered products for users, active experimentation, and the drive to ship things (not train things).
• Coaching ability: You know how to develop junior engineers — give feedback that lands, spot growth opportunities, and run progress reviews that actually move the needle.
• Strong communicator: You articulate technical decisions clearly to non-technical stakeholders and navigate cross-functional squads with ease.

🔧 What you'll get

• Unlimited access to the best AI tools on the market: Claude Code (with the Superpowers plugin), Cursor, Copilot, Notion AI.
• A Python-first stack with hands-on AI agent work from day one — PydanticAI, LangGraph, LangChain in the mix (framework awareness appreciated; production expertise not required).
• A squad culture where autonomy is the default — minimal process, quick dailies, weekly demos with leadership, and every hour counting.
• The opportunity to define what technical leadership looks like in an AI-first fullstack team — with real influence over architecture, engineering culture, and how the Lab scales

🤝 About your future manager

You'll work closely with Sophie, our Manager for the AI Lab — but don't expect hand-holding.

Sophie leads a cross-functional team building Qonto's AI-first product, working directly with Product and Tech leadership to align the AI roadmap with the company's strategic goals. Steve (CPO) attends Friday demos regularly.

Her approach: give engineers real ownership, create space for experimentation, and empower the squad to adapt their ways of working in pursuit of real impact.

💬 Hiring Process

• 2 Interviews (1 hour each): first with your Talent Acquisition Manager, then with Sophie
• A take-home technical skills test & debrief interview (1h30)
• A final interview with our VP Engineering, Carl

We aim to wrap the process in 10 days max, from first interview to potential offer 🤞

If you've read this far and thought "that sounds like me but I don't check every box" — apply anyway. We hire on potential and mindset, not checklists.