Java Backend Engineer

Principal Java Backend Engineer
Location: Cincinnati, Ohio, (Remote)

Role Overview

We are seeking a highly experienced Principal Java Backend Software Engineer to design, develop, and lead scalable backend solutions within an agile environment. This role involves hands-on development, architectural leadership, and mentoring responsibilities while ensuring adherence to engineering best practices and risk/compliance standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and enhance backend features and applications with a focus on scalability, performance, and reliability
• Define and drive the long-term technical vision and architecture across multiple services and systems
• Act as a technical leader within agile squads, participating in all ceremonies from design to delivery
• Develop high-quality, maintainable, and testable code following industry standards and metrics
• Implement test-driven development (TDD) and promote engineering best practices
• Lead and mentor developers by conducting code reviews, defining standards, and sharing knowledge
• Architect and integrate distributed systems, microservices, and RESTful APIs
• Collaborate with DevOps and operations teams to improve system performance and reliability
• Automate processes to achieve operational excellence
• Stay updated with emerging technologies and industry trends
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex technical issues for internal and external stakeholders
• Maintain documentation, operational procedures, and ensure audit/compliance readiness
• Identify, assess, and manage risks in alignment with organizational policies

Required Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or related field
• 12+ years of experience in backend software development
• Strong expertise in Java and related technologies
• Hands-on experience with Spring and Spring Boot frameworks
• Experience building and consuming RESTful APIs
• Proficiency with AWS cloud services
• Experience with Git/GitHub and modern version control practices
• Familiarity with DevOps tools such as Jenkins
• Experience with Kafka or other messaging systems
• Strong understanding of software design patterns (OOP and functional programming)
• Knowledge of secure coding practices and application security
• Excellent problem-solving, communication, and collaboration skills

Preferred Skills

• Experience with microservices architecture
• Exposure to GitHub Copilot or AI-assisted development tools
• Experience in financial services or fintech domain
• Strong understanding of CI/CD pipelines

Role Expectations

• Lead by example in coding standards and engineering excellence
• Drive continuous improvement through communities of practice
• Ensure delivery aligns with business goals and customer experience
• Maintain high standards of compliance, documentation, and risk management