Senior Python Engineer

Who we’re looking for: We’re looking for a Senior Python Engineer to join our Data team and help build and evolve the services that connect Tillo’s data platform with the wider business.

You’ll own and improve existing Python services supporting areas such as payments, billing, and reporting, working closely with Data Engineers and Business Intelligence Analysts to make sure application data is reliable, well-structured, and usable for reporting and analytics.

This role sits at the intersection of software engineering and data. You’ll need strong Python engineering fundamentals alongside an understanding of how application data is modelled, exposed, and delivered into data platforms. You’ll also play an important role in championing Tillo’s AI-first approach to engineering, using modern AI tooling and agentic workflows to improve how we build, ship, and maintain our services. 🌟

The challenge: Build and maintain reliable Python services that provide high-quality data to the wider business, while improving the way those services are designed, tested, deployed, and integrated with Tillo’s data platform.

You’ll work across existing services and new development, balancing engineering quality, data reliability, system integrations, and delivery needs as Tillo continues to scale. 🚀

Where you’ll work: This role will be based in Cape Town, with a hybrid working model requiring three days per week in our Cape Town office. You’ll be part of our global Data team, collaborating with colleagues across Engineering, Data, BI, Product, and the wider business.

The Tillo Difference

We're in the business of rewards and incentives, so we know a thing or two about the importance of giving back. We can't grow as a business without growing as individuals, so we are committed to providing a workplace where passionate, driven individuals can thrive. We value collaboration, trust, positivity, and a willingness to learn - only by working as a team will we reach our goals.

We’re the market leader in the UK and are active in a number of other markets including USA, Europe, Australia and India. 🌎

Day to day this role will

Build and maintain Python services using technologies including FastAPI, Podman, Kubernetes, and serverless platforms

Own and improve existing services supporting payments, billing, and reporting

Work with our Snowflake data platform to ensure application data is reliably exposed and delivered for reporting and analytics

Work closely with Data Engineers to define how application data is structured, exposed, and delivered into Snowflake or OpenSearch

Partner with Business Intelligence Analysts to translate reporting and analytics requirements into reliable, well-documented data outputs

Design and maintain microservices and integrations with third-party services and APIs

Contribute to DevOps activities including maintaining Helm charts and container configuration for Python services

Maintain high standards across our codebase through testing, code reviews, documentation, and engineering best practices

Introduce and maintain automated tests using a test-driven approach

Pair programme with other engineers and contribute to technical discussions

Champion Tillo’s AI-first engineering approach by identifying and adopting AI and agentic workflows that improve development, delivery, and service maintenance

Mentor engineers and contribute to the development of engineering standards and technical capability across the team

What we’re looking for

Expert-level experience developing web applications and services with Python and FastAPI

Strong experience designing microservice architectures and complex system integrations

Strong understanding of how application data is structured, exposed, and delivered into data warehouses or search platforms

Comfortable writing and reasoning about SQL

Ability to work closely with Data Engineers and BI Analysts on data modelling, schema, and data quality decisions

Strong understanding of secure software development principles

Strong experience with automated testing and test-driven development

Experience integrating with third-party services and APIs

Strong communication skills, both written and verbal

Demonstrated experience mentoring engineers and leading technical discussions

Ability to work collaboratively across engineering and data disciplines

Comfortable working in a modern Agile engineering environment

Helpful but not essential

Strong understanding of data engineering fundamentals, including data modelling and ETL/ELT

Hands-on experience with Snowflake or a similar cloud data warehouse

Experience building or maintaining data pipelines using tools such as Airflow, dbt, or similar orchestration and transformation platforms

Experience with AWS

Experience with Kubernetes, Podman, Docker, or similar container technologies

Experience maintaining Helm charts and CI/CD pipelines

Experience with GitHub Actions, CircleCI, or similar pipeline tools

Experience working with OpenSearch or similar search platforms

Experience using AI coding and development tools such as Cursor, Claude Code, or Codex

Experience introducing AI-assisted or agentic workflows into engineering teams

Experience working with Agile, Scrum, or Kanban methodologies

Benefits

We offer all our employees trust and empower our team to work with flexibility and autonomy. We’re a close-knit team and love working collaboratively, with our hybrid model, our team can come together at our fantastic offices, but also focus in their own space. The Tillo team are a motivated bunch and we all work hard to push Tillo forwards, always innovating. We completely understand the importance of work/life balance and offer a supportive and collaborative working environment with the following benefits:

21 days holiday per annum (plus an additional day for your birthday 🎂)

Retirement Fund (5%)

Health insurance contribution

Employee Incentive Scheme

Hybrid Working

Top spec equipment including laptop, mouse, keyboard, monitor

Anniversary gifts

Monthly breakfasts, drinks, snacks and events

Team Learning & Development budget

About Tillo

Tillo makes gift cards, rewards, and incentives simple, efficient, and profitable. Operating in over 37 markets and 25 currencies, Tillo processes billions in gift card transactions through a single, plug-and-go API, powering rewards and incentives for the world’s leading businesses.

Backed by Tenzing, Tillo is setting the global standard for digital gift card infrastructure.

• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Statement
• We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and respected. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marital status, race, ethnicity, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.

If you require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know, and we will be happy to accommodate your needs.