
Senior Python Developer (Platform) at Aghanim (Lisbon, Portugal)
Aghanim· Lisbon, Portugal·
Role details
Modern Python Stack · High Autonomy · Fast Decision-Making · Strict Engineering Culture · Direct Impact On Platform Serving 100+ Live Games · Mission-Driven Company
Summary
Join the Platform team to design and build core backend systems for a direct-to-consumer gaming infrastructure. You will architect scalable Python services, optimize PostgreSQL and Redis, and ensure high reliability for payment and LiveOps systems.
Job description
Aghanim is an integrated commerce, liveops automation, community engagement, and payments platform for video games.
Mobile games have traditionally depended on app stores for distribution, payments, and player relationships. We believe there is a better way. Aghanim helps game studios build direct relationships with players, sell directly, and build their future on their own terms. Today, more than 100 games worldwide are already building this future with Aghanim.
Our team brings together people across Los Angeles, New York, Seoul, Beijing, London, Lisbon, Belgrade and other locations around the globe, with deep expertise in gaming, fintech and technology. We move quickly, keep communication direct, and focus on getting things done. We believe the best people thrive when they have autonomy, ownership, and a stake in the company's success.
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We're looking for a Senior Python Developer to join the Platform team and take ownership of core backend systems powering Aghanim — a direct-to-consumer (DTC) platform that helps mobile game developers monetize outside app stores. We act as a Merchant of Record, handling payments, compliance, and taxation across 200+ territories, while providing game studios with tools for LiveOps automation, player segmentation, and community engagement.
The codebase follows domain-driven design with 60+ business domains, strict code quality standards, and AI-assisted development as a standard part of the workflow. You'll work across a modern Python stack — Python 3.13+, FastAPI, Pydantic — with a heavy integration layer connecting game backends, and external services.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Backend Architecture and Development
- Design, build, and own backend systems end-to-end
- Drive architecture and key technical decisions
- Build APIs, integrations, and scalable backend services
Data, Infrastructure, and Reliability
- Design reliable and scalable data and infrastructure foundations
- Own performance and availability against concrete SLOs (thousands of requests per second at p95 latency under 200ms, with a 99.99% uptime target)
- Diagnose, investigate, and solve complex operational issues
Cross-functional Collaboration and Leadership
- Work closely with product and engineering to deliver business impact
- Raise the engineering bar through reviews, mentorship, and technical leadership
- Take ownership of ambiguous problems and drive them to completion
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- 5+ years building production backend systems in Python
- Strong experience with FastAPI or similar modern backend frameworks
- Deep understanding of distributed systems, APIs, integrations, and asynchronous architectures
- Strong PostgreSQL and Redis experience
- Experience with NoSQL, distributed, and analytical data stores
- Solid software architecture and system design skills
- Experience operating and scaling high-load systems in production
- High ownership, strong execution, and ability to work independently
- Confident use of AI-assisted development tools with strong validation and engineering judgment
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Modern Python tooling (uv, ruff, type checking)
- NoSQL, distributed, and analytical data stores
- Google Cloud Platform
- Event-driven architectures and background processing systems
- High-scale, multi-tenant, or transaction-heavy platforms
- Gaming, fintech, e-commerce, or payments experience
WHY JOIN US
- World-class team – work alongside experienced professionals from around the globe who have built products used by millions of players
- High growth, high impact – be part of a fast-growing company where ideas turn into products and reach customers in days, not months
- Autonomy and ownership – we trust people to make decisions, take initiative, and drive results
- Modern tools and technology – use AI, automation, and modern tools as part of your everyday work
- Equity – participate in the company's growth and long-term success
Why work at Aghanim
- Culture: Fast-moving, lean startup with flat structure; founders are hands-on and previously built a global company (Xsolla).
- Remote/Hybrid: Headquarters in Los Angeles (Woodland Hills area) with additional offices in New York City and Lisbon. Roles likely hybrid/remote-friendly depending on function.
- Engineering Culture: Heavy focus on payments infrastructure, data engineering, and platform scalability. Team includes engineers from Xsolla, Microsoft, and Liftoff.
- Growth Trajectory: Joining at very early stage (Seed) with significant funding from top VCs – high potential for ownership and impact.
- Notable Perks: Not explicitly stated, but typical for seed-stage fintech/gaming startups – equity, flexible hours, and direct exposure to founders.