Lead Software Engineer (Python/Django)

Tokyo
Partial Remote
Full-time
September 18, 2025

Help us use technology to make a big green dent in the universe!

Kraken powers some of the most innovative global developments in energy.

We’re a technology company focused on creating a smart, sustainable energy system. From optimising renewable generation, creating a more intelligent grid and enabling utilities to provide excellent customer experiences, our operating system for energy is transforming the industry around the world in a way that benefits everyone.

It’s a really exciting time in energy. Help us make a real impact on shaping a better, more sustainable future.

The Team Lead plays a critical role in Kraken’s engineering organisation. You will work closely with the team's Product Manager to guide product development through informed prioritisation and product objectives.

You’re expected to balance:

Operational effectiveness
Team support and wellbeing
Strategic product alignment
Technical leadership

This role is about building a high-functioning team, shipping and maintaining high-quality systems, and keeping Kraken’s culture strong as we scale.

Core Responsibilities

1. Leadership & Communication
- Represent the team upward and outward with confidence
- Communicate proactively, clearly, and respectfully
- Keep the team informed about priorities and changes
- Advocate for your team while challenging constructively
2. Team Management & Support
- Stay aware of team capacity, stress, and wellbeing
- Run 1:1s and offer coaching and mentorship
- Nurture a collaborative, motivated team culture
- Make and carry out difficult decisions for the good of the team and Kraken
3. Product & Delivery Oversight
- Align the team to product vision and long-term goals
- Maintain technical quality and improve systems thinking
- Guide team planning, delivery, and retros
- Translate large goals into achievable milestones
4. Strategic Decision-Making
- Make resource and prioritisation trade-offs
- Contribute to hiring and talent development
- Distribute work fairly and rotate responsibilities
- Create clarity in ambiguous or shifting contexts
5. Operational Excellence
- Oversee or delegate rituals (planning, standups, reviews)
- Connect team delivery to product-group and company-level goals
- Partner closely with key stakeholders
- Remove blockers — technical, process, or people-related

What Makes a Great Team Lead?

A strong Lead Software Engineer at Kraken demonstrates:
Clear, regular communication
Strategic thinking and the ability to translate that to action
Advocacy for their team and its products
A commitment to mentorship and support
Strong organisational habits

What This Role Isn’t - This isn’t about doing everything yourself. It’s about enabling the team — scaling through delegation, coaching, and systems. Your value comes from what the team delivers, not just your personal output.

In addition to leadership responsibilities, you'll also have experience in the following (in rough priority order):

Python
Django
Domain modelling
HTTP and REST APIs
Writing robust and fault-tolerant software
Celery and async processing
Postgres

Plus experience in the following would be a bonus:

AWS
Terraform, Packer, Consul
Ability to speak Japanese would be a plus

Kraken is a certified Great Place to Work in France, Germany, Spain, Japan and Australia. In the UK we are one of the Best Workplaces on Glassdoor with a score of 4.7.

APPLY NOW ➜🇯🇵 Residents Only

About Kraken Technologies

Help Kraken use technology to make a big green dent in the universe! Kraken powers some of the most innovative global developments in energy and is built to empower businesses to lead the energy transition from generation to supply.

Kraken is a technology company focused on creating a smart, sustainable energy system. From optimising renewable generation, creating a more intelligent grid and enabling utilities to provide excellent customer experiences, their operating system for energy is transforming the industry around the world in a way that benefits everyone.

They are now licensing Kraken to businesses in 17 countries around the world and manage over 300,000 energy assets.

Kraken's original goal was to have 100 million customers on the Kraken Platform by the year 2030. As Kraken is far ahead of schedule with 60 million accounts, they are bringing the end date forward to 2027!

Some of the businesses Kraken partner with include E.ON in Europe, Origin in Australia, and Tokyo Gas in Japan.

Kraken is looking to continue growing their Japanese operations to build more tech to make energy in Japan greener and increase their investment in service and growth in Japan and Globally.

To get an idea of what it’s like to work at Kraken, hear from Karim, one of Kraken's Engineers here.

Japanese Language Policy
For client-facing roles - A good professional knowledge of the Japanese language is required.

For non-client-facing roles - it’s nice to have, but not required.
Visa Sponsorship
Kraken is unable to sponsor visas currently.
Paid Leave
Kraken offers unlimited paid time off. Technically, their contract stipulates 23 days of PTO but in practice we don't have a limit on the number of vacation days members can take.

Of course, members must coordinate with their teams when taking leave to ensure it doesn't impact projects, but beyond that the policy is flexible.

Kraken also has a culture that allows people to take several weeks of vacation at a time if desired.
Benefits
💹 Employee stock option plan

💻 New tech gear

👩‍🎓 Skill development support

💛 Support for attending conferences

💜 Seminar participation support

👶 Shorter work hours for employees taking care of children (Flexible but not directly in contract)

👶 Maternity & Parental Leave

🇯🇵 Translation support (EN<>JP)

🧡 Interpretation support (EN<>JP)

💟 Social Security / Insurance benefits included

🏥 Healthcare Insurance

💚 Pension insurance
Remote Work
If you are located in Tokyo, Kraken employees are preferred to be in the office 1-2 days per week. Fully remote options are available (role-dependent within Japan).
Work style
Kraken has a highly flexible system that's focused on results. Members can work how and from where they want to as long as they get their work done.
Diversity
Kraken is looking for genuinely decent people who are honest and empathetic.

Their commitment is to provide equal opportunities, a diverse and inclusive work environment, and fairness for everyone.

You are welcome to apply no matter your race, gender identity, sexuality, age, family or civil status, disability, religion, or ethnicity.
The Octopus Energy Group culture - Kraken won the best company to work for in 2019 and Kraken CEO, Greg has recorded a podcast about Kraken's culture and how they empower their people

Flexible working environment - genuine work life balance, Kraken treats you as a human, and do their best to make work and life merge smoothly together. You can read more info on Kraken's Glassdoor page.

Relaxation - Kraken doesn’t count your holidays, they work hard, and so they know you need to play hard as well (within reason of course)

Equity Options Scheme - you own your own part of the business, share options in the whole Octopus Energy Group so we all work together towards success

Office culture - have a certain tech requirement? Kraken will do their best to get it. Kraken offices are also stocked with fruit, breakfast, great coffee and soft drinks. Weekly on a Friday we all get together (this happens virtually too) for company updates and drinks - Kraken calls it Family Dinner

Your development is important - Kraken supports and helps with development including internal and external courses, learning, study support etc, all bespoke to you