Java Backend Software Engineer

Role: Java Backend Software Engineer (Hybrid)

Experience: 10+ years

Location: Chicago, IL - Local Candidates Only

Work Arrangement: Hybrid - 2 days onsite (Monday & Wednesday)

Duration: 12 months, with potential for extension

Estimated Start Date: September 7, 2026 Position Overview

We are seeking a highly experienced Java Backend Software Engineer / Lead Software Engineer with 10+ years of professional software development experience to join a Scrum-based engineering team.

The ideal candidate must have strong, hands-on expertise in Java 21, Spring Boot, REST APIs, AWS, microservices, SQL/NoSQL databases, CI/CD, and application security . This is a backend-focused, hands-on coding and technical leadership role , not an architecture-only position.

Strong communication skills are critical.

Required Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 10+ years of professional software engineering experience.
• Strong hands-on backend development experience.
• Candidates with 8+ years of development experience may be considered if they meet the technical requirements.
• Candidates must be comfortable working in a Scrum/Agile environment .

Must-Have Skills - Non-Negotiable

• Java 21+ with strong Spring Boot experience.
• AWS: API Gateway, Fargate, Lambda, and hands-on experience working in an AWS environment.
• RESTful API development and enterprise-scale microservices.
• Databases: Strong experience with both relational/SQL and NoSQL databases .
• CI/CD: GitHub and Jenkins.
• Security: OAuth 2.0, JWT, and secure service-to-service authentication/authorization.
• API Development: Apigee API Gateway, OpenAPI/Swagger, API-first design.
• Strong experience with solution design and technical leadership .
• Ability to collaborate with engineering leaders, architects, product owners, UI teams, and partner teams.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills .
• Strong troubleshooting, debugging, and production support experience.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design and development of enterprise-scale REST APIs and microservices using Java 21+, Spring Boot, Apigee, and AWS.
• Design API-first solutions, including service contracts, payload schemas, and OpenAPI/Swagger specifications.
• Break down business requirements into technical designs, user stories, and implementation tasks.
• Develop and guide secure service-to-service integrations using OAuth 2.0, JWT, and entitlement-based authorization .
• Serve as a technical lead for complex initiatives, driving design decisions, design reviews, and code reviews.
• Collaborate with product owners, UI teams, architects, engineering leaders, and partner teams to deliver high-quality solutions.
• Establish best practices for scalability, reliability, observability, security, maintainability, and performance .
• Drive automated testing, performance testing, load testing, and production-readiness activities.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex production issues.
• Create and maintain technical documentation, operational runbooks, and engineering standards.
• Own solutions end-to-end from design and development through deployment, monitoring, production support, and continuous improvement .

Strict Location Requirement

• Chicago, IL local candidates only.
• Candidates must currently be local to the Chicago area.
• No relocation candidates.
• Third-party or non-local submissions will not be considered.
• The final interview will be conducted onsite to validate the local requirement.

Disqualifiers

• UI-focused developers or candidates whose experience is primarily frontend.
• Primarily Full Stack Developers without strong, recent backend expertise.
• Architecture-only candidates who are no longer hands-on with development.
• Candidates lacking strong Java/Spring Boot experience.
• Candidates without hands-on AWS experience.
• Candidates without both SQL and NoSQL database experience.
• Candidates with frequent short-term engagements or an unstable employment history.
• Candidates who are not currently local to Chicago.
• Previously submitted/rejected candidates.
• Resumes that are excessively long or do not clearly demonstrate the required skills.

Interview Process

• 3 rounds total
• Round 1: Virtual
• Round 2: Virtual
• Round 3: Onsite/In-person

Nice-to-Have

• Generative AI / GenAI experience is a plus.
• Experience with modern AI-enabled software engineering practices is preferred.