Python Backend Engineer

Job Title

Senior Backend Engineer - AI Enablement & Strategy

Overview


Sephora is seeking a highly proactive, strategic Senior Python Backend Engineer with strong AI exposure to help teams do more with less by improving systems, workflows, and decision-making through intelligent tooling. This role is not about executing predefined tasks - it is for a problem solver and collaborator who can assess existing architecture, design best-fit solutions, and help define the path forward in a rapidly evolving environment.


This individual will work closely with cross-functional teams, acting as a thought partner who augments human interactions and enables teams to operate more efficiently.



Key Responsibilities
• Act as a strategic problem solver , not just a task executor
• Evaluate existing backend systems and architecture; design and recommend best-fit solutions
• Apply AI tools and services to improve workflows, automation, and decision-making
• Partner closely with engineering, QA, and platform teams to enable and unblock others
• Provide guidance on model selection and technology tradeoffs (no model training required)
• Help define structure and direction in areas that are still evolving
• Collaborate effectively in high-ambiguity environments; influence without authority
• Support a " do more with less " mindset through smart system design and prioritization



Required Qualifications
• Strong backend engineering background (Python preferred)
• Hands-on experience with modern AI tools and services (e.g., LLMs, agent frameworks, AI platforms)
• Working knowledge of AI/ML concepts and models (selection, evaluation, applicability)
• Ability to reason about architecture, scalability, and system design
• Proven ability to work autonomously and proactively in loosely defined problem spaces
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills



Nice to Have
• Experience building or prototyping AI-enabled workflows or agent-based systems
• Exposure to QA, automation, or platform enablement teams
• Experience in retail, e-commerce, or consumer-facing environments
• Background working in Centers of Excellence or enablement-focused teams



What This Role Is Not
• Not a task-only execution role
• Not a frontend or full-stack position
• Not a pure ML research or model-training role
• Not a principal-level or overly senior position