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Ask HN: Where are all the Python jobs?

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Re: Ask HN: Where are all the Python jobs?

#61

Post by kaens »

j_baker wrote: post #13
nroach wrote: post #8

What are your criteria? Do you have a geographic location that the employer must be within? Do you have a minimum salary you need to make (before bonus or equity)? We just finished a hiring round, which included Python. I expect that we'll wind up hiring some more in the not too distant future. For what its worth, I post my jobs on Craigslist and at local university offices first, only falling back to the big job boa…

Really?! I never really considered checking craigslist. Also, if you want to get in contact with me, my email is in my profile.

I get a lot of my work off of craigslist. It takes some sifting through, but it's not too bad.

Re: Ask HN: Where are all the Python jobs?

#63

Post by alttab »

jheriko wrote: post #57
alttab wrote: post #52

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I can only assume the downvotes are due to my explanation of python as a language. When looking for jobs, you have to see how the business world views a certainly technology, not a collection of personal opinions. Python is a great tool no doubt - but I see little in the way of careers revolving around just python knowledge. In most hunts I see it as "icing on the cake." But again - take my word for what its worth -…

I upvoted you. I sort of agree with your point. My opinion is that as a stand-alone language Python can do nothing that can not be done better with other, higher level, faster or more proven languages. However, I think Python has a solid place in providing scripting support - it sure is a lot faster to install and start using than it is to write a scripting language from scratch in your language of choice, and Python…

Thanks, and you would be correct.

However, did you know that Sound Spectrum, the maker of G-force that was used in Apples iTunes as the high speed visualizer, uses python as a high performance scripting environment that runs through bindings in C to openGL.

So theres a direct application - but here it also requires Graphics knowledge and high performance C++.

Re: Ask HN: Where are all the Python jobs?

#64

Post by bayleo »

ibarrac wrote: post #46
bayleo wrote: post #33

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You may want to keep in mind that using "ELT" vs "ETL" (even if that's what order Teradata works in) makes it harder to search for the job on most sites. FYI -- I was about to apply for this until I noticed the 2-month contract. I'm more junior than what you're looking for but if you dropped the pay & extended the contract a bit I'd definitely be interested.

If you know Python and Teradata, please send me your resume anyway to contract-mco@actifact.com and I will keep it on file for any future position. It's very hard to find people with both Python and Teradata skills. The contract starts out at 2 months because that is all my client will commit to at the moment, but I consider it likely to get extended if you are any good. I don't mind missing out on applicants that ar…

I'm more of an Oracle guy but I'll send one along tonight regardless in case you have anything more entry-level pop up.

Re: Ask HN: Where are all the Python jobs?

#65

Post by gurtwo »

jfager wrote: post #58
gurtwo wrote: post #53

I work at a major (the biggest?) telecom equipment provider. For a couple of years, I've been doing ad-hoc Python scripts (say, 3000+ lines) to interact with network nodes, based on customer requests. So yes, there is room for professional, non-web related Python. I try to push the language for more developments, but it's hard to convince managers. I prefer the tools I make to the standard, corporate fat applications…

3000+ lines is what you're calling an ad-hoc Python script? Or your sum total output of Python is 3000+ lines?

3000 lines per Python package.

"Ad hoc is a Latin phrase which means 'for this purpose'. It generally signifies a solution designed for a specific problem or task, non-generalizable, and which cannot be adapted to other purposes." -- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ad_hoc

No mention to the size of the solution, big or small. The point here is the specificity.

Re: Ask HN: Where are all the Python jobs?

#66

Post by dkarl »

dkarl wrote: post #37

There's no such thing as a "Python job." Anyone who can't pick up Python in a week isn't worth hiring, and conversely, being productive in Python isn't proof of technical ability. Unlike with C++, Lisp, or even Java, if I was hiring for a Python shop, I wouldn't stress Python as an important qualification for the position.

[Replying to myself since there are so many people who think this is silly.]

There are many, many people who could be good Python programmers within a week. Obviously a programmer with only C++ or Java experience could not; I only mentioned those languages for contrast, because you wouldn't hire someone to write C++ unless they were already a good C++ programmer.

The differences in style between Python and Ruby or Python and Perl, modulo the differences related to the available language features (which enforce themselves, and which account for most of the difference), are on the same scale as style differences between different C++ shops. You expect a good C++ programmer to adapt to the local dialect (assuming he has the technical chops to do so), so why wouldn't you expect a Perl programmer to adapt to Python? There's no way you would pass up a smart Perl or Ruby programmer for a Python job. (Vice-versa is another matter.)

As for experience with other tools, looking at Python in that context actually strengthens my point. When you interview a developer, you don't bother asking about build tools, IDEs, SCMs, or testing frameworks unless they're applying to be the local guru. I've never asked a candidate if he knew how to build a .deb package. I've never worried about how much a candidate knows about Eclipse. (Or Jira, or gdb, or cvs.) The cumulative amount of tool-specific knowledge required to do my job dwarfs the complexity of Python, but I really don't bother with that stuff when I'm interviewing somebody for my group.

A big technology like Django might be a different question. Django (as much as I've seen of it) seems to be considerably more complicated than Python. I could see wanting to hire a Django developer. But then it's a Django job and not a Python job, except by implication.

Re: Ask HN: Where are all the Python jobs?

#68

Post by acdha »

icey wrote: post #18
wensing wrote: post #6

Check out some of the hubbub going on around PyCon. Also, look for Python-related meetups if you're in a major metro. Coincidentally with PyCon, Atlanta seems like a hotspot judging by the number of members of the PyATL and Django meetup groups.

There were also a TON of Python people from the DC area at last year's Djangocon.

Speaking of which, if you're Python savvy and want a job in the DC area either sysadmining a large Trac install or developing (mostly) Django sites we're hiring right now:

https://www.indyneinc.com/employment/Employment/tabid/54/Pag...

https://www.indyneinc.com/employment/Employment/tabid/54/Pag...

Re: Ask HN: Where are all the Python jobs?

#69

Post by Josh0 »

Josh0 wrote: post #12
wensing wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Are you open to remote/telecommuters?

It's less ideal, but not impossible. Drop me an email if you're interested (josh_ourisman@discovery.com) and I can pass your info along to the right people.

Unfortunately, I've been informed that HR will not allow us to consider remote candidates for some asinine reason. So unless you're able to work out of our offices in Silver Spring, MD I'm afraid we're stuck. :(

(I'm hoping we can get around this somehow with Discovery's other offices—which are literally all over the world—but we'll see how that goes.)

Re: Ask HN: Where are all the Python jobs?

#70

Post by unbracketed »

dkarl wrote: post #37

There's no such thing as a "Python job." Anyone who can't pick up Python in a week isn't worth hiring, and conversely, being productive in Python isn't proof of technical ability. Unlike with C++, Lisp, or even Java, if I was hiring for a Python shop, I wouldn't stress Python as an important qualification for the position.

"Tell me about your Python experience" "Well I started learning it about a week ago - I think I've pretty well mastered it." "Thanks, we'll get back to you."
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