Forward Deployment Engineer (Azure AKS / Java / Cosmos DB)

Position OverviewRole: Forward Deployment EngineerLocation: Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL (Local Candidates Strongly Preferred / Day 1 Onsite)Duration: 12 Months (Contract with extension potential)Domain: Asset Management, Fund Accounting, Custody, or Wealth ManagementKey ResponsibilitiesCloud-Native Deployment & Engineering: Build, containerize, and deploy scalable enterprise applications on Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS) and native Azure cloud ecosystems.Backend Microservices & Data Layer: Architect high-throughput, secure microservices in Java integrated with Azure Cosmos DB and distributed messaging architectures.Forward Deployment & Stakeholder Management: Interface directly with asset and fund management business stakeholders to translate complex operational needs into rapid, production-ready software solutions.AI-Accelerated Engineering: Utilize GitHub Copilot and GenAI tooling to enhance coding productivity, automate test generation, and streamline release cycles.Release Orchestration: Ensure robust CI/CD deployment pipelines, cluster observability, and smooth production rollouts.Key Requirements & Qualifications10–15 years of total software development experience with 8+ years of dedicated hands-on engineering across Azure (specifically AKS & native Azure services).Strong backend development foundation in Java (Spring Boot / Cloud-Native).Deep production experience with Azure Cosmos DB (partitioning strategies, indexing, and performance tuning).Demonstrated experience within Asset Management, Wealth Management, Custody, or Fund Administration.Practical experience leveraging GenAI / GitHub Copilot in day-to-day software development.Exceptional communication, English fluency, and stakeholder management skills.