Java Modernization Technical Architect

• Job Title: Java Modernization Technical Architect
• Engagement Type: Contract (Initial 6 Months, potential for extension)
• Location: London, UK (Hybrid)
• Clearance Requirement: Active UK Government Security Check (SC Clearance Required)

Role Overview

We are seeking an experienced Java Modernization Technical Architect to lead enterprise-scale cloud transformation initiatives. In this role, you will define and execute architecture migration strategies for legacy Java applications moving to Microsoft Azure . You will serve as the technical authority guiding cloud-native deployment, application remediation, containerization, and platform modernization across complex enterprise environments.

Key Responsibilities

• Architecture & Strategy: Lead end-to-end architecture design and migration strategies for legacy Java workloads moving to Azure native platforms.
• Legacy Application Migration: Transition applications running on WebLogic, GlassFish, WebSphere, JBoss EAP, and Tomcat to modern cloud environments.
• Cloud Architecture: Design scalable microservices, Domain-Driven Design (DDD) patterns, and integration architectures tailored for Azure App Service, Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS), Azure Container Apps (ACA), and Azure Red Hat OpenShift (ARO).
• Java Modernization: Oversee application upgrades from legacy Java versions (Java 6/8) to modern LTS releases (Java 11/17) and manage Java EE to Jakarta EE migrations.
• Containerization & CI/CD: Establish robust container strategies (Docker, Kubernetes) and build automated CI/CD pipelines using Azure DevOps and GitHub Actions.
• Landing Zone & Cloud Integration: Architect integrations with Azure Landing Zones, Azure Storage, Azure SQL, and Azure Key Vault while ensuring strict security hardening, performance optimization, and observability.
• Governance & Leadership: Provide architectural oversight, conduct design reviews, establish migration best practices, and collaborate closely with client stakeholders, engineering leads, and DevOps teams.

Required Skills & Qualifications

• Core Java Expertise: Deep technical knowledge of Java 8, 11, and 17, JVM internals, Spring Boot, Spring Cloud, and Enterprise Java EE / Jakarta EE (including EJB, CDI, JNDI, JMS).
• Application Servers: Extensive experience with WebLogic, GlassFish, JBoss EAP, and Tomcat.
• Azure Cloud Platforms: Proven experience with Azure App Service, Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS), Azure Container Apps (ACA), ARO, Azure Storage, Azure SQL, and Azure Key Vault.
• Modernization & Security: Track record in legacy-to-cloud application migration, OAuth2, JWT, REST API architecture, performance tuning, and security hardening.
• Containerization: Hands-on experience with Docker and Kubernetes for container orchestration.
• Front-End Fundamentals: Exposure to client-side technologies such as JavaScript and Angular.
• Clearance: Active UK Security Check (SC) clearance is strictly required prior to onboarding.

Desirable Skills (Good to Have)

• Certifications: Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert.
• Modernization Tooling: Hands-on experience with Open Rewrite for automated code refactoring and GitHub Copilot for migration assistance.
• Infrastructure & Automation: Infrastructure as Code (IaC) using Terraform or Bicep; CI/CD engineering with Azure DevOps and GitHub Actions.
• Cloud Operations & Mesh: Application Insights, Azure Monitor, Service Mesh architectures, Azure Redis Cache, Application Gateway, and WAF implementation.