Senior Backend Java Engineer
We are looking for a hands-on Senior Backend Java Engineer with recent experience building, testing, and deploying production-grade APIs and microservices. This is a coding-first backend role. We want someone actively engineering in their current or most recent role, not someone whose recent experience is mainly support, coordination, architecture-only, or line management.
Essential skills and experience
* Strong hands-on commercial coding experience with modern Java (Java v17 min, v21 LTS or newer preferred)
* Strong experience with Spring Boot
* Experience building REST APIs / microservices from scratch
* Strong testing skills using JUnit, Mockito, and ideally TDD
* Experience with PostgreSQL or another relational SQL database
* Experience with Docker
* Experience with CI/CD pipelines (e.g. Jenkins, GitHub Actions, GitLab CI, Azure DevOps)
* Comfortable working in agile, cross-functional teams
* Has current SC clearance
Desirable
* OpenAPI / Swagger
* Liquibase or Flyway
* Gradle
* Kafka
* Observability / monitoring experience
* Exposure to Kubernetes
* Some awareness of React / TypeScript
What we need from candidates
* Built backend services or APIs themselves
* Worked on microservice-based systems
* Written automated tests as part of delivery
* Used Docker and CI/CD in practice
* Stayed technically current with modern Java and Spring Boot
Non-negotiables
* Recent hands-on Java backend coding experience
* Built Spring Boot APIs/services from scratch
* Used Java 17/21+ in recent roles
* Written unit/integration tests
* Worked with SQL databases
* Used Docker and CI/CD
* Has SC clearance, or is willing and eligible to obtain it
* Ability to complete a practical coding assessment
Profiles unlikely to be a fit
* Production support / L3 support
* Bug fixing only
* Release or process coordination
* Line management with limited coding
* Architecture / governance without recent delivery
* Legacy Java maintenance without clear modern backend engineering experience