Full Stack Django Developer (Frontend Focus) - Contract

Position Summary

The Full Stack Django Developer (Frontend Focus) is responsible for the design, development, and maintenance of the in-house software that Tayco's plant runs on, including label printing, assembly tracking, machine downtime reporting, and live production dashboards. This position owns the interface layer of these applications - everything shop floor users see and interact with - and works across the full stack to deliver features from model and view through to the rendered screen. As these systems are in use on every shift and are currently being expanded across the plant, this position also requires regular presence on the production floor to observe how the software is used, to train operators and supervisors, and to document existing and new processes. 

Posting notice:  This posting is for 1 vacancy for a 12-month contract position.

Your Responsibilities:

• Own the interface layer of all shop floor applications, including page layout, 
• responsive behaviour, scanner and keyboard input handling, form usability, and error and empty state handling. 
• Develop and maintain a substantial JavaScript codebase (vanilla ES6, no framework and no build step), including scan handling, dynamic tables, live updates, and client- side validation. 
• Build and consume REST endpoints to move data between the Django backend and the screen, ensuring that failure cases - slow requests, failed requests, and empty responses - are handled properly. 
• Develop features end to end, from model, view, and queryset through to what is rendered for the user. 
• Build and maintain live production dashboards over Django Channels, including reconnection handling and stale state management. 
• Refactor existing JavaScript into shared, consistent modules, incrementally and without disrupting production use. 
• Spend time on the production floor observing how operators and supervisors use the software, and translate the problems observed into requirements. 
• Provide training to operators and supervisors on new features, and develop and maintain user-facing documentation as the software is rolled out to additional departments. 
• Document existing processes that are currently undocumented, and improve test coverage incrementally, without interrupting production. 
• Use AI-assisted development tools with sound judgement, reviewing what is generated, selecting which problems to delegate, and remaining accountable for every line of code submitted. 
• Perform various development and maintenance tasks as required. 

Requirements

• Must have post secondary education in computer science, software engineering, or a related technical field, or 2-5 years of industry experience building web applications. 
• Must have strong JavaScript skills, and be able to take ownership of a large, JavaScript-heavy codebase written in vanilla ES6 with no framework and no build 
• step. 
• Must have a solid understanding of REST APIs, including designing endpoints, consuming them from the front end, and determining the correct behaviour when a request is slow, fails, or returns nothing. 
• Working knowledge of Django and intermediate Python required. Must be able to write a view, a model, a form, and a queryset without supervision; expert-level Django knowledge is not required. 
• Must have fluency with Bootstrap 5, and enough confidence with CSS to customize the framework rather than work around it. 
• Knowledge of Tayco's current stack is an asset: Django 5.2, PostgreSQL, Redis, Django Channels and Daphne, Bootstrap 5.3, vanilla ES6 with no build step, read- only ERP integration, and deployment to Windows Server through GitHub Actions. Experience with Django Channels or WebSockets, Redis, barcode or scanner-driven interfaces, manufacturing or warehouse software, user-facing documentation, accessibility work, or interface design is considered an asset. 
• Must be able to use AI-assisted development tools effectively and with judgement, including reviewing what is generated, knowing which problems to hand over, and being able to explain any line of code shipped. 
• Ability to improve and refactor code written by others, in small and safe increments. Ability to communicate clearly with people who are not technical, and to gather requirements from operators who describe a problem in their own words rather than as a specification. 
• Ability to teach and demonstrate software at the workstation, and to document procedures so that the following shift can work from them. 
• Ability to confirm requirements before building, recognizing that an incorrect assumption can cost a workstation an entire shift. 
• Ability to raise problems directly and constructively, including problems of internal origin. 
• Ability to recognize when an Interface is confusing or inefficient without being told. Ability to read and interpret written and oral instructions. 
• Must possess excellent analytical and problem-solving skills. 
• Must have good communication skills, and a positive and proactive attitude. 
• Required to have good organizational skills, excellent attention to detail, and be able to prioritize workload. 
• Ability to understand business requirements and translate them into technical applications. 
• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written and oral form. 
• Ability to deal with problems, involving several variables, in complex situations. Must have the capacity to make departmental decisions/recommendations that will improve the operating efficiency of the department. 

COMPETENCIES

Adaptability Adapts and responds to changing conditions, priorities, technologies and requirements. Ability to comfortably collaborate in a variety of situations and with diverse individuals.

Communication Expresses and transmits information consistently and clearly, using active listening skills to understand feedback and summarize information.

Critical Thinking Analyzes and interprets data and information in order to develop conclusions. Able to identify current and future opportunities, challenges and risks.

Networking and Relationship Building Effectively builds constructive, friendly, professional relationships and networks with key contacts inside and outside the organization. Maintains partnerships that can provide information, assistance and support.

Planning and Organization Can set out goals and objectives and work plans to accomplish tasks.

Problem-Solving Possesses the ability to break a situation down into smaller pieces to identify key issues, figuring out cause and effect relationships in order to solve. Uses logic and analytical methods to come to realistic solution.

Initiative Ability to assess and take advantage of opportunities independently.

WORKING CONDITIONS

The working conditions described are representative of those an employee must meet to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Ability to regularly access and move throughout the production floor and other work areas as required by the role.
• Ability to attend and conduct presentations.
• Manual dexterity required to use desktop computer and peripherals.
• Overtime as required.
  

Salary Range : $65,000 to $70,000 Annually

Benefits

• Flexible work arrangements (work from the home 1 day per week after training)
• Active Social Committee with wonderful company culture
• Active Inclusion, Diversity, Engagement, and Accessibility Committee with monthly initiatives to promote inclusivity
• Opportunities for growth and development
• Great team to work with!

Due to a high volume of applications, only those candidates who are selected for interviews will be contacted.

Tayco endeavors to fill positions with the best available candidates who have the appropriate combination of education, experience, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. Tayco is committed to equity and values diversity. We welcome applications from qualified individuals of all genders and sexual orientations, persons with disabilities, Aboriginal persons and persons of a visible minority.

At Tayco, we are embracing innovative technologies, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) may be used to pre-screen applicants to enhance our recruitment process. AI-driven tools help us streamline candidate sourcing, improve the quality of our hiring decisions, and ensure a more efficient and personalized experience for both candidates and hiring teams.