Senior Full Stack Python Engineer

Location: Middletown, PA
Position Type: Hybrid
Hybrid Schedule:
Onsite for 1st week AND 1 week each month, or as requested by the client
Contract Length: 12 months

Position Overview:
This project seeks a Senior Full‑Stack Python Engineer with deep expertise in Optical Character Recognition (OCR) and Computer Vision to support a major unified back‑office technology initiative. The role involves hands‑on engineering focused on building and scaling production systems that process images, execute OCR, and deliver results through reliable APIs and customer‑facing applications.

The selected engineer will contribute to the development and long‑term support of an advanced back‑office solution designed to power customer engagement across multiple digital and interactive channels. This initiative aims to transform how customers manage their business needs through innovative technology and seamless user experiences. The environment is fast‑moving, collaborative, and driven by a commitment to excellence and continuous improvement.

Required Skills:

• Python: an expert level in Python with 8+ years’ experience implementing and supporting production systems.
• FastAPI: 5+ years’ experience with FastAPI or equivalent Python API frameworks.
• OCR / Computer Vision: 5+ years of experience working with OCR and computer vision technologies, with a strong understanding of domain-specific applications.
• Expert in Object-Oriented Programming (OOP)
• License Plate Recognition OR Vehicle Identification experience
• PostgreSQL / SQL: Proficiency in schema design, query writing, and performance optimization.
• JavaScript + React, HTML/CSS: Proven experience in production-level frontend development.
• Azure cloud, Azure Service Bus: Knowledge of Azure cloud services or equivalent messaging systems.
• AKS / Kubernetes: Hands-on experience with container orchestration using AKS or Kubernetes.
• Linux environments: Strong understanding and practical experience working in Linux environments.
• Proficiency in REST API design and integration.
• Experience with JSON-based data exchange.
• Expertise in containerized development and deployment workflows.
• Knowledge of secure API design and operational best practices.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with AI/ML pipelines related to OCR or image processing.
• Exposure to vector databases (e.g., Qdrant) and embedding-based similarity search.
• Familiarity with PyTorch / ONNX for learned image enhancement or embeddings.
• Knowledge of vehicle fingerprinting, multi-view embeddings, or related CV problems.
• Security best practices around PII handling, image storage, and access control.

Duties:

Backend & OCR Systems

• Design, implement, and maintain workflows for Optical Character Recognition (OCR) and image processing, covering everything from data ingestion to evaluation and output.
• Develop scalable backend services in Python using FastAPI.
• Integrate with third-party OCR engines through REST APIs, managing retries, errors, and fallback strategies.
• Implement preprocessing techniques and quality improvement measures.
• Contribute to improving OCR accuracy by utilizing feedback from manual reviews and downstream validation processes.
• Design data models and storage solutions for OCR results, metadata, and audit trails using PostgreSQL.

Distributed & Cloud Architecture

• Build message-driven services using Azure Service Bus for asynchronous processing.
• Deploy and operate services on Azure, including AKS.
• Containerize applications using Podman and support CI/CD pipelines.
• Contribute to system scalability, fault tolerance, and observability.

Full-Stack Skills

• Develop and maintain React-based web applications for internal and client-facing tools.
• Implement responsive UI components using JavaScript / React.
• Collaborate closely with backend services to integrate OCR functionality into the UI.
• Understand and work with authentication flows, and API contracts.

Engineering Leadership

• Expert in Object-Oriented Programming (OOP), applying abstraction, encapsulation, inheritance, and polymorphism to design scalable, reusable, and loosely coupled systems aligned with SOLID principles, while guiding the team through code reviews and design standards.
• Participate in architectural decisions and technical design reviews.
• Mentor junior engineers and help raise overall engineering standards.
• Fully document all created work associated with this position, including technical and functional designs and diagrams, test plans, test scripts, impact analysis reports, lessons learned, and best practices, following required formats and templates.
• Develop and maintain productive relationships with technology staff, business owners, project sponsors, vendors, and key clients.
• Lead and participate in project team activities for system work efforts related to enterprise systems.
• Work independently to accomplish assigned tasks and duties.
• Adhere to and follow all applicable standards, policies, and procedures.
• Utilize various software and technology tools to perform job duties.
• Perform tasks and other duties related to this position as assigned.