CPython Developer in Residence
at Python Software Foundation

The Python Steering Council and the Python Software Foundation are looking to hire the next CPython Developer-in-Residence. The position is full-time and remote, and is open to applicants inside and outside the US.

Background

CPython, the reference implementation of Python, is developed and primarily maintained by volunteers. The Developer-in-Residence program builds on this by providing support for the volunteers, taking on projects that require sustained, long-term attention, and filling gaps in the volunteer coverage.

The Developer-in-Residence works to assist CPython maintainers and the Steering Council. Areas of responsibility include:

• Overseeing the long-term health of the project
• Supporting the project's volunteers
• Investigating project priorities and their tasks going forward, and working on those priorities
• Communicating with sponsors and the community
• Securing funding for the Developer-in-Residence roles (in co-operation with PSF staff)
• Managing the Deputy and Supporting Developers-in-Residence roles

As an externally funded role, the term for this position will initially be one year, with the possibility of extension based on renewed availability of funding.

Responsibilities

This role is largely self-directing, with continuing coordination with PSF staff, the Steering Council, and the other Developers-in-Residence.

• Help maintain, improve, and stabilize the CPython code base, libraries, and test suite, as well as the pull request and issue queues
• Help maintain and improve the project's continuous integration infrastructure and buildbot fleet
• Co-ordinate and manage the team of Developers-in-Residence
• Manage larger project efforts that require co-ordination between volunteers (e.g. the GitHub Issues migration)
• Administer and moderate Core Team communication channels (discuss.python.org, Discord, the GitHub org)
• Support the Python Security Response Team and the Release Managers in their respective duties
• Support the Core Team and other volunteers contributing to CPython
• Author your own bugfixes and features in CPython and related projects
• Attend Steering Council meetings on a regular cadence (currently every two weeks) and communicate regularly with PSF staff
• Advocate for the CPython project and its developers to potential sponsors
• Represent the CPython project at regional Python conferences and events
• Support mentorship and outreach in order to broaden the CPython Core Team
• Provide transparency by proposing and fulfilling a public record as agreed with the Steering Council and PSF staff
• Publish regular updates on the PSF blog throughout the year, informing the community on progress

Required skills and experience

• Strong project management skills
• Well-organized and detail-oriented
• Excellent written and verbal communication
• Experience contributing to the CPython project
• Experience working with a mix of stakeholders: volunteers, staff, and sponsors
• Ability to balance demands and priorities, and to work independently in a fully remote environment

Preferred experience

• Experience as a maintainer of open source software projects
• Experience mentoring and supporting new contributors
• Experience managing or leading a team of developers

Existing CPython Core Team members are strongly preferred. Willingness to travel to PyCon US or other international events is a plus.

Details

Location: Remote. Candidates not residing in the US will be considered under a contractor arrangement, conditional on legal and regulatory eligibility. Regular collaboration with US time zones is required, and some recurring availability in US Eastern is necessary for check-ins and reporting.

Compensation: $70,000–$170,000 USD per year for US employees, or a comparable contractor rate for international candidates, based on qualifications, experience, and location. US employees are eligible for healthcare and other benefits; contractor engagements do not include benefits.

This position reports to the PSF Executive Director and collaborates with the Steering Council.

How to apply

Applications are open until November 19, 2026. Apply directly through the JazzHR page linked above. The PSF asks for responses to a few short questions rather than a cover letter; all questions are required. They also request your resume, your GitHub username, and links to your CPython contributions.

Please note: the PSF asks that you not use AI to answer the screening questions — they would like to hear directly from you, in your own words.

About the Python Software Foundation

The Python Software Foundation is a US 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation that holds the intellectual property rights behind the Python programming language. The PSF also runs the PyCon US conference annually, supports other Python conferences and workshops around the world, and funds Python-related development through its grants program.

The PSF believes that the future of open source must include everyone, and welcomes all job-seekers regardless of race, color, ethnicity, religion, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, physical appearance, body size, socio-economic, veteran, or disability status. See the PSF Code of Conduct for more.