Principal Software Architect (Python)

Rumble Cloud is seeking a Principal Software Architect (Python) to own the design and hands-on implementation of our Self-Service Cloud Portal and Cloud Console, the primary interfaces customers use to manage their cloud environments. Our stack is built on OpenStack and Ceph, with a customer surface that includes a self-service portal, an enhanced open-source cloud console, and integrated CRM/ERP-based billing and account management.

This role combines architectural leadership with significant day-to-day coding. You will define the architectural roadmap, guide the team in building scalable, maintainable services, and personally deliver high-quality Python code. Partnering with backend, Golang, and React/TypeScript teams, you will ensure cohesive design, strong performance, and an excellent developer and customer experience, while helping prioritize work and mentoring engineers without direct people management responsibilities.

Key Responsibilities
Architecture and Technical Vision

• Define, document, and communicate architectural patterns, standards, and best practices for backend services, microservice integration, and portal-wide interoperability.
• Evaluate the current codebase (including CRM/billing integration and cloud console frontend) and chart a practical path toward a scalable, maintainable architecture.
• Design architectures that support multi-tenant SaaS scale, observability, reliability, and future extensibility.
• Maintain architecture diagrams, service specifications, and operational design records for cross-functional transparency.
• Collaborate with platform and infrastructure teams to align service design with Rumble Cloud OpenStack/Kubernetes-based runtime environment.

Hands-On Development
• Contribute clean, efficient Python code (e.g., FastAPI, SQLAlchemy, Jinja2) for key backend components; this role requires sustained coding, not occasional guidance.
• Build and extend backend functionality that interfaces with RESTful APIs and SQL databases.
• Partner with Golang service teams and frontend developers (React/TypeScript) for seamless integration across the product ecosystem.
• Analyze product requirements and implement new features end-to-end, proactively identifying and addressing potential issues.

Planning, Prioritization, and Delivery
• Translate product-level requirements and customer needs into actionable roadmaps, epics, and tickets.
• Help prioritize features and technical debt based on impact, dependencies, and realistic timelines.
• Drive continuous improvement in the delivery lifecycle, including code review practices, release automation, and GitHub/GitHub Actions workflows.
• Help design and implement an SDLC and SSDLC with repeatable processes for planning, development, testing, deployment, and security review.
• Identify risks and blockers early and work with stakeholders to resolve them before they affect delivery.

Mentorship and Team Guidance
• Guide senior and mid-level engineers through design reviews, pair programming, and technical planning.
• Document designs and mentor engineers to grow their architectural thinking and engineering skills.
• Communicate technical decisions and trade-offs clearly to both engineering and non-technical stakeholders.
• Collaborate with other teams and departments on integrating new functionalities and services.

Qualifications
Required Qualifications
• Expert-level Python development experience, including SQLAlchemy, Jinja2, and modern API frameworks (e.g., FastAPI, Flask, Gunicorn).
• Strong experience designing and implementing RESTful APIs and resource servers, including working with incomplete or minimal SDK documentation.
• Experience designing and implementing authentication and authorization mechanisms such as OAuth2 and OpenID Connect.
• Strong understandi