What about freelancing ? Try and connect with people you know who might be looking for a developer like him. If he knows Python/Django, I am sure there are lot of freelance opportunities. Also ask him to post in the Monthly HN thread of freelancers.
Yeah, that's what he's trying to do, but at least here in Spain both Python and MongoDB are still considered as 'young technologies for startups' that aren't usually seen in the enterprise or in the normal freelance jobs.
Anyway, thanks for the tip about the Monthly HN thread - he will definitely post there :)
That advice is generally valid for all devs. In a poll (sorry, can't find the source right now) the older devs that were freelancers were the most happy ones. The market valued their experience, while employees in companies would be punished for their age.
I guess owning the customer relationship is key here.
