Python API Backend Development

I’m ready to move from concept to a production-ready API and need someone comfortable owning the entire backend stack end-to-end. We’ll build the service in Python using FastAPI, with an emphasis on clean architecture, strong typing, and well-documented, idiomatic code.

The service will persist data in PostgreSQL, so you should be confident in schema design, migrations, and query optimization for that engine (e.g., via SQLAlchemy/SQLModel and Alembic).

The scope is intentionally focused: expose a well-designed JSON/REST API that can be consumed by both a front-end application and third-party clients. Core backend concerns—authentication, API versioning, consistent error handling, and a minimal but meaningful test suite—are considered part of “done means done.”

Deliverables

Fully functional FastAPI codebase connected to PostgreSQL

Modular, well-structured endpoints wired to the database and covered by unit and integration tests

Database migrations that run cleanly on a fresh instance

Brief setup instructions and a concise README outlining environment variables, local setup, and run commands

Acceptance Criteria

All endpoints return correct HTTP status codes, predictable JSON responses, and meet agreed latency expectations

API passes validation when tested via pytest and tools like Postman or HTTPie

Migrations apply cleanly without manual intervention

Codebase is organized so another developer can extend or modify features without guesswork