Java Backend Software Engineer
Role:Java Backend Software Engineer (Hybrid)Experience: 10+ yearsLocation: Chicago, IL - Local Candidates OnlyWork Arrangement: Hybrid - 2 days onsite (Monday & Wednesday)Duration: 12 months, with potential for extensionEstimated Start Date: September 7, 2026Position OverviewWe are seeking a highly experienced Java Backend Software Engineer / Lead Software Engineer with 10+ years of professional software development experience to join a Scrum-based engineering team.The ideal candidate must have strong, hands-on expertise in Java 21, Spring Boot, REST APIs, AWS, microservices, SQL/NoSQL databases, CI/CD, and application security. This is a backend-focused, hands-on coding and technical leadership role, not an architecture-only position.Strong communication skills are critical.Required Education & ExperienceBachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.10+ years of professional software engineering experience.Strong hands-on backend development experience.Candidates with 8+ years of development experience may be considered if they meet the technical requirements.Candidates must be comfortable working in a Scrum/Agile environment.Must-Have Skills - Non-NegotiableJava 21+ with strong Spring Boot experience.AWS: API Gateway, Fargate, Lambda, and hands-on experience working in an AWS environment.RESTful API development and enterprise-scale microservices.Databases: Strong experience with both relational/SQL and NoSQL databases.CI/CD: GitHub and Jenkins.Security: OAuth 2.0, JWT, and secure service-to-service authentication/authorization.API Development: Apigee API Gateway, OpenAPI/Swagger, API-first design.Strong experience with solution design and technical leadership.Ability to collaborate with engineering leaders, architects, product owners, UI teams, and partner teams.Excellent verbal and written communication skills.Strong troubleshooting, debugging, and production support experience.Key ResponsibilitiesLead the design and development of enterprise-scale REST APIs and microservices using Java 21+, Spring Boot, Apigee, and AWS.Design API-first solutions, including service contracts, payload schemas, and OpenAPI/Swagger specifications.Break down business requirements into technical designs, user stories, and implementation tasks.Develop and guide secure service-to-service integrations using OAuth 2.0, JWT, and entitlement-based authorization.Serve as a technical lead for complex initiatives, driving design decisions, design reviews, and code reviews.Collaborate with product owners, UI teams, architects, engineering leaders, and partner teams to deliver high-quality solutions.Establish best practices for scalability, reliability, observability, security, maintainability, and performance.Drive automated testing, performance testing, load testing, and production-readiness activities.Troubleshoot and resolve complex production issues.Create and maintain technical documentation, operational runbooks, and engineering standards.Own solutions end-to-end from design and development through deployment, monitoring, production support, and continuous improvement.Strict Location RequirementChicago, IL local candidates only.Candidates must currently be local to the Chicago area.No relocation candidates.Third-party or non-local submissions will not be considered.The final interview will be conducted onsite to validate the local requirement.Disqualifiers / Red FlagsUI-focused developers or candidates whose experience is primarily frontend.Primarily Full Stack Developers without strong, recent backend expertise.Architecture-only candidates who are no longer hands-on with development.Candidates lacking strong Java/Spring Boot experience.Candidates without hands-on AWS experience.Candidates without both SQL and NoSQL database experience.Candidates with frequent short-term engagements or an unstable employment history.Candidates who are not currently local to Chicago.Previously submitted/rejected candidates.Resumes that are excessively long or do not clearly demonstrate the required skills.Interview Process3 rounds totalRound 1: VirtualRound 2: VirtualRound 3: Onsite/In-personNice-to-HaveGenerative AI / GenAI experience is a plus.Experience with modern AI-enabled software engineering practices is preferred.