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