Design, build, and maintain secure, high-performance RESTful APIs and microservices using Java and Spring Boot. Collaborate with cross-functional teams, implement API security (OAuth2/JWT/OpenID Connect), optimize databases, integrate messaging systems, write unit/integration/API tests, participate in code reviews and architecture decisions, troubleshoot production issues, and contribute to CI/CD and DevSecOps practices.
Position Summary
We are seeking a Senior Java API Developer to design, develop, and maintain secure, scalable, and high-performance RESTful APIs and microservices. The ideal candidate has extensive experience with Java, Spring Boot, API design, cloud-native development, and modern software engineering practices. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams to build enterprise-grade applications that are reliable, scalable, and maintainable.
Key Responsibilities
- Design, develop, and maintain RESTful APIs and microservices using Java and Spring Boot.
- Build scalable, secure, and high-performance backend services.
- Develop reusable and maintainable code following clean architecture and coding best practices.
- Collaborate with product owners, architects, frontend developers, QA, and DevOps teams throughout the software development lifecycle.
- Design and optimize database schemas, queries, and data access layers.
- Implement API security using OAuth2, JWT, OpenID Connect, and other authentication mechanisms.
- Integrate with third-party services, messaging systems, and enterprise applications.
- Develop unit, integration, and API tests to ensure code quality and reliability.
- Participate in code reviews, technical design discussions, and architecture decisions.
- Troubleshoot production issues, optimize application performance, and support deployments.
- Contribute to CI/CD pipelines and DevSecOps practices.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field.
- 5–8+ years of experience in Java backend development.
- Strong proficiency in Java 11/17 and object-oriented programming principles.
- Extensive experience with Spring Boot, Spring MVC, Spring Data JPA, and Spring Security.
- Strong experience designing and developing RESTful APIs and microservices.
- Experience with Hibernate/JPA and relational databases such as PostgreSQL, MySQL, or Oracle.
- Knowledge of NoSQL databases such as MongoDB or Cassandra is a plus.
- Experience with API documentation using Swagger/OpenAPI.
- Familiarity with messaging platforms such as Kafka or RabbitMQ.
- Experience using Git and modern CI/CD tools.
- Strong understanding of Agile/Scrum development methodologies.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with cloud platforms such as AWS, Azure, or GCP.
- Familiarity with Docker, Kubernetes, and containerized deployments.
- Experience implementing event-driven and distributed architectures.
- Knowledge of caching technologies such as Redis or Hazelcast.
- Exposure to GraphQL is a plus.
- Understanding of observability tools such as Prometheus, Grafana, ELK Stack, or Splunk.
Technical Skills
- Programming: Java 11/17, Core Java
- Frameworks: Spring Boot, Spring MVC, Spring Security, Spring Data JPA
- API Technologies: REST, OpenAPI/Swagger, JSON, GraphQL (optional)
- Databases: PostgreSQL, MySQL, Oracle, MongoDB
- Messaging: Apache Kafka, RabbitMQ
- Build Tools: Maven, Gradle
- Testing: JUnit, Mockito, REST Assured
- CI/CD: Jenkins, GitHub Actions, GitLab CI, Azure DevOps
- Containers: Docker, Kubernetes
- Version Control: Git
Compensation, Benefits and Duration
Minimum Compensation: USD 40,000
Maximum Compensation: USD 140,000
Compensation is based on actual experience and qualifications of the candidate. The above is a reasonable and a good faith estimate for the role.
Medical, vision, and dental benefits, 401k retirement plan, variable pay/incentives, paid time off, and paid holidays are available for full-time employees.
This position is not available for independent contractors
No applications will be considered if received more than 120 days after the date of this post
Photon Chicago, Illinois, USA Office
11 East Adams Street Suite 1100, Chicago, IL, United States, 60603
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