Senior Backend Engineer / Java, Kafka & AWS / Hybrid / Pasadena, CA
Our client is a large technology-driven organization developing scalable enterprise applications and data platforms. Based out of Pasadena, CA, they are looking to hire a Senior Backend Engineer on a contract basis.
This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced backend engineer who wants to work at the intersection of large-scale distributed systems, cloud engineering, and emerging AI technologies. The team is looking for a highly experienced, hands-on engineer who can design complex backend solutions while providing technical leadership to other developers. You'll work with a modern Java, Kafka, Python, and AWS stack while gaining exposure to AI-powered applications, LLMs, and intelligent agents.
Contract Duration
· 9+ Months
Required Skills & Experience
- 10+ years of professional software development experience with a strong focus on backend engineering
- Extensive experience designing and building scalable backend applications and distributed systems
- Strong hands-on development experience with Java 17/21
- Experience developing RESTful backend services using Spring Boot
- Strong experience with Apache Kafka and high-throughput, low-latency data pipelines
- Experience developing cloud-based applications using AWS
- Experience with AWS services such as Lambda, ECS/Fargate, API Gateway, CloudWatch, Secrets Manager, and IAM
- Professional development experience with Python
- Experience working with both SQL and NoSQL databases
- Experience providing technical leadership and helping engineering teams solve complex development challenges
- Strong understanding of software engineering development lifecycles
- Experience developing meaningful unit and integration tests
- Experience incorporating AI tools into day-to-day software engineering workflows
- Ability to work onsite in Pasadena three days per week
Desired Skills & Experience
- Experience developing AI-powered applications
- Hands-on experience with LLMs, generative AI, AI agents, or conversational AI
- Experience with Databricks or comparable cloud data platforms
- Strong background designing distributed systems and large-scale data solutions
What You Will Be Doing
Tech Breakdown
- Java 17/21 and Spring Boot
- Python
- Apache Kafka
- AWS cloud services
- RESTful APIs and microservices
- SQL and NoSQL databases
- Distributed and event-driven systems
- AI/LLM technologies
- Databricks or similar data platforms
Daily Responsibilities
- Design and develop scalable backend applications and services
- Build RESTful services using Java and Spring Boot
- Develop and maintain high-volume, low-latency data pipelines using Apache Kafka
- Design cloud-based solutions leveraging AWS infrastructure and services
- Work with SQL and NoSQL data stores supporting enterprise applications
- Collaborate with engineers on backend architecture and distributed system design
- Provide technical guidance and leadership when solving complex engineering problems
- Develop unit and integration tests to improve application quality and reliability
- Participate throughout the software development lifecycle, including design, development, testing, deployment, and ongoing enhancement
- Apply AI-assisted development tools to improve engineering productivity and software delivery
- Work with the team onsite in Pasadena three days per week
You will receive the following benefits:
- Medical Insurance - Four medical plans to choose from for you and your family
- Dental & Orthodontia Benefits
- Vision Benefits
- Health Savings Account (HSA)
- Health and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
- Voluntary Life Insurance, Long-Term & Short-Term Disability Insurance
- Hospital Indemnity Insurance
- 401(k) including match with pre and post-tax options
- Paid Sick Time Leave
- Legal and Identity Protection Plans
- Pre-tax Commuter Benefit
- 529 College Saver Plan
Motion Recruitment Partners (MRP) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All applicants must be currently authorized to work on a full-time basis in the country for which they are applying, and no sponsorship is currently available. Employment is subject to the successful completion of a pre-employment screening. Accommodation will be provided in all parts of the hiring process as required under MRP’s Employment Accommodation policy. Applicants need to make their needs known in advance.