Senior Data Scientist- Java and backend software development

Location: McLean, VA
Level: Expert
Employment Type: Full-Time

Position Overview

We are seeking a Senior Data Scientist with extensive Java and backend software development experience to support the maintenance and modernization of mission-critical applications.

This is a highly technical, hands-on position requiring someone who can step into an established environment and immediately begin assessing, maintaining, refactoring, and extending legacy Java applications. The ideal candidate will have deep experience with Core Java, Spring, databases, AWS, and Linux, with additional experience in Spring Boot and REST API development highly preferred.

Key Responsibilities

• Assess, maintain, refactor, and modernize legacy Java applications and backend processes.
• Write clean, scalable, and efficient code supporting operational and business applications.
• Develop and enhance backend functionality using Core Java, Spring, and Spring Data JPA.
• Leverage Spring Boot to develop backend applications and REST APIs.
• Write and optimize database queries across relational and non-relational environments.
• Troubleshoot, debug, test, and resolve issues within existing applications.
• Perform application testing using tools such as JUnit and Mockito.
• Utilize Eclipse, Maven, Gradle, Git, and Jenkins within the development lifecycle.
• Support applications operating within Oracle, Apache Tomcat, AWS, and Linux environments.
• Participate throughout the application lifecycle, including development, testing, deployment, maintenance, and modernization.
• Work independently or collaboratively alongside existing development resources, including Python developers.

Required Qualifications

• 7–10 years of professional software development experience.
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• Demonstrated expertise in Core Java, including:
  • Object-oriented programming (OOP)
  • Multithreading
  • JVM and memory management
• Strong experience with Spring and Spring Data JPA.
• Experience with Eclipse, Maven, Gradle, Git, and Jenkins.
• Experience working with Oracle, Apache Tomcat, AWS Cloud Framework, and Linux.
• Understanding of application lifecycle management.
• Ability to quickly understand and contribute to an established Java codebase with minimal ramp-up or oversight.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience with Spring Boot.
• Experience developing REST APIs using Java.
• Experience integrating backend services with web applications.
• Previous experience refactoring or modernizing legacy Java applications.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is a senior-level technical professional with deep Java/backend development expertise who is comfortable taking ownership of an existing codebase. This position requires someone who can quickly evaluate legacy applications, identify areas for improvement, and begin contributing immediately without foundational Java training.

Benefits

This position offers a highly competitive, employer-supported benefits package, including:

• 5 weeks of PTO plus birthday leave

• 11 floating holidays

• 401(k) with 10% employer contribution

• Multiple medical plan options through Anthem, including:

  • Platinum PPO national plan

  • Gold PPO national plan

  • Gold HMO HSA national plan

• Employer-paid dental coverage through Delta Dental PPO Plus Premier

• Employer-paid vision coverage through VSP / DeltaVision

• Employer-paid Life and AD&D coverage at 2x salary, up to $400,000

• Optional voluntary Life and AD&D coverage from $10,000 to $500,000, not to exceed 5x salary

• Employer-paid Short-Term Disability, covering 60% of salary up to $2,500

• Employer-paid Long-Term Disability, covering 60% of salary up to $10,000 per month

• Health Savings Account availability, depending on selected health plan

• $1,000 annual Lifestyle Savings Account

• $5,000 annual professional development reimbursement for degrees, training, and certifications

• $1,000 annual technology reimbursement

• Candidate referral bonus program, up to $10,000

• Discretionary profit sharing

• Discretionary performance bonus opportunities

• New contract bonus opportunities, up to $10,000

• Employer-paid access to online training through Udemy and Paylocity

• Optional pet insurance through Pets Best

• Access to Working Advantage employee discounts and rewards programs at no cost

About the Opportunity

This is an excellent opportunity for a Full Stack Software Developer with strong cloud, data analytics, and application development experience to support high-impact mission work. The selected candidate will contribute to modern, scalable, and secure software solutions that improve data processing, analytics, search, automation, and enterprise digital architecture across a mission-critical environment.