Backend SW Engineer - Microservices (Java/Python, Cloud, APIs)

C2C detailsPosition: Backend SW Engineer - Microservices (Java/Python, Cloud, APIs)Location: Gaithersburg, MD - Hybrid 3 days onsiteDuration: 12+ month contractInterview: 1video conference interviewUS citizens only Summary In this position, you will design and implement software solutions independently while working closely with systems engineering, product delivery, and DevSecOps teams. The primary focus is on developing microservices-based applications within an Agile/SAFe environment. Experience with AI-enabled or data-driven systems is advantageous. This position supports government programs and requires the ability to obtain and maintain a Public Trust clearance. Key Responsibilities • Design, develop, and maintain microservices-based applications using modern software engineering best practices • Collaborate with product owners, architects, and engineers in an Agile / SAFe environment • Participate in sprint planning, daily standups, reviews, and retrospectives • Collaborate with systems engineering, product delivery, and program teams to translate requirements into working software solutions. • Develop clean, maintainable, and testable code following CI/CD and DevSecOps practices • Contribute to system design discussions and technical decision-making • Integrate services with databases, messaging systems, and external APIs • Support troubleshooting, performance tuning, and continuous improvement • Work closely with QA, DevOps, and platform teams to ensure reliable delivery Required Qualifications • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related technical field (or equivalent experience) • 2-4 years of professional software development experience (TA to fill in appropriate mid-level years of experience) • Hands-on experience building and supporting microservices-based systems • Proficiency in at least one modern programming language (e.g., Java, Python, C++, or similar on a Linux based system) • Experience working in Agile environments • Understanding of APIs and distributed system concepts • Ability to obtain and maintain a Public Trust clearance Preferred / Desired Qualifications • Experience or exposure to AI/ML-enabled systems (Claude-Code), automation, or intelligent platforms. • Experience with Git-based version control and CI/CD pipelines • Familiarity with Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) • Experience working with relational and/or NoSQL databases • Hands-on experience with Kafka or other event-streaming technologies • Cloud experience (AWS, Azure, or GCP) • Containerization and orchestration experience (Docker, Kubernetes) • Experience working in DevSecOps environments