Backend Software Engineer - On-Site - South Austin

Job#: 2075368

Job Description:

Job Description

JOB TITLE: Software Engineer, Back End

CAREER LEVEL: P2

DEPARTMENT: Advisor Platform Engineering

REPORTS TO: Manager, Software Engineering

FLSA STATUS: Exempt

SUMMARY:

Kestra Financial is seeking a passionate and skilled Software Engineer, Back End (P2 level) to join our dynamic

Advisor Platform Engineering team in Southwest Austin, TX. This role is ideal for a mid-level engineer who thrives

in an Agile environment and is enthusiastic about building scalable, maintainable, cloud-native back-end services.

Youll work with cutting-edge Azure technologies (including App Service, Functions, Container Apps, Azure SQL,

Cosmos DB, and Service Bus), contribute significantly to our API ecosystem, and play a key role in modernizing our

financial technology platform.

As a P2 Software Engineer at Kestra, youll have the opportunity to design and implement robust RESTful APIs,

optimize database performance, and leverage advanced asynchronous messaging patterns. You will tackle features of

moderate complexity, always considering scalability, maintainability, and cost in your designs. You'll collaborate

closely with cross-functional teams including QA, DevOps, front-end engineers, and product managers to deliver

high-quality solutions that empower our financial advisors.

Working primarily on-site Monday through Thursday at our Encino Trace campus in Southwest Austin (with optional

remote Fridays), youll be part of a team that embodies Kestras core values: "Make it Happen," "One Team," and

"Serve" - principles that guide everything we do.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: To perform this job successfully, this individual must be able to

perform each essential duty satisfactorily:

Design, code, test, and deploy scalable, robust back-end services and RESTful APIs using C# and .NET

(primarily .NET 8+, with occasional work on legacy .NET Framework 4.x systems).

Develop and maintain C# applications, ensuring proper API versioning, status codes, and comprehensive

documentation.

Create normalized database schemas for SQL Server, write efficient T-SQL queries and stored procedures,

optimize indexes, and analyze query plans for performance.

Implement and manage asynchronous messaging patterns using Azure Service Bus queues and topics.

Build and maintain applications leveraging Azure Cosmos DB, including JSON document storage, querying,

and SDK utilization.

Write comprehensive unit tests and integration tests to ensure code quality and successful CI/CD pipeline

execution; champion CI/CD best practices.

Actively participate in all Agile ceremonies, including daily stand-ups, sprint planning, backlog refinement,

sprint reviews, and retrospectives; provide story point estimates for work.

Collaborate closely with front-end, QA, DevOps, and Product partners to deliver end-to-end features and

resolve issues.

Conduct constructive code reviews, providing and receiving feedback to enhance code quality and maintain

clean-code standards.

Create technical design documents for peer review before implementing significant changes.

Troubleshoot and resolve moderately complex production issues, performing root-cause analysis, analyzing

stack traces, SQL execution plans, and messaging dead-letters, and contribute to post-mortems.

Proactively identify technical debt and suggest refactoring opportunities or performance-tuning initiatives

within assigned modules.

Mentor junior developers, contribute to knowledge sharing within the team, and guide newer team members

in understanding the back-end codebase.

Monitor application performance and implement optimizations as needed.

Uphold Kestra's core values-Make it Happen, One Team, Serve-in daily interactions.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND/OR ABILITIES: To perform this job successfully, individuals should have the

following skills and abilities:

Required Skills:

Proficiency in C# and the .NET framework (experience with .NET 6/7/8+ highly preferred).

Strong understanding and practical experience in designing and developing RESTful APIs (routing,

versioning, status codes).

Solid knowledge of Microsoft SQL Server or Azure SQL, including advanced T-SQL, database design, query

optimization, and performance tuning.

Experience with Azure cloud services, particularly Azure Service Bus for asynchronous messaging and Azure

Cosmos DB (querying, SDK basics) or comparable NoSQL/document stores.

Familiarity with core Azure PaaS services relevant to back-end development (e.g., Azure App Service, Azure

Functions, Azure Container Apps).

Proficiency in writing unit tests and integration tests (e.g., xUnit, MSTest, or similar).

Strong understanding of Git-based source control systems and workflows (e.g., Azure DevOps, GitHub),

including pull-request code reviews.

Knowledge of CI/CD pipeline concepts and implementation (YAML, GitHub Actions, or Azure Pipelines).

Experience with Agile development methodologies (Scrum).

Strong problem-solving skills, with the ability to analyze stack traces, debug complex issues, and perform

root-cause analysis.

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work collaboratively within a team and

with non-technical stakeholders.

Understanding of software design patterns and best practices.

Desired Skills:

Experience with Docker containers and containerized applications.

Knowledge of older .NET Framework 4.x.

Familiarity with Azure monitoring tools like Azure Application Insights and Log Analytics.

Experience with API Management platforms (e.g., Azure API Management).

Understanding of microservices architecture patterns.

Knowledge of other Azure services such as Azure Storage, Azure Data Factory (or other ETL tools), Azure

Front Door, or App Gateway.

Experience with legacy system modernization, particularly migrating from .NET Framework to .NET 8+.

Exposure to front-end or full-stack development (e.g., React/TypeScript).

Experience with legacy Team Foundation Server (TFS).

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: No

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent practical

experience.

2-5 years of professional software development experience, primarily focused on building and supporting

.NET back-end services.

Demonstrated experience building and deploying .NET applications to Azure PaaS (e.g., App Services,

Functions, Containers) in a professional environment.

History of delivering features in an Agile/Scrum environment, including writing automated tests and

participating in code reviews.

Experience with financial services, platform engineering, or highly regulated industry (desired).

Experience modernizing legacy systems (desired).

CERTIFICATIONS, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:

Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900) (desired).

Microsoft Certified: Azure Developer Associate (AZ-204) (desired).

Other relevant Microsoft Azure, .NET, or DevOps certifications (desired).

PHYSICAL DEMAND: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an

employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to

enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Ability to sit or stand at a computer workstation for extended periods while using a keyboard, mouse, and

multiple monitors.

Frequent, repetitive hand-finger motions for typing, writing, and handling small peripherals or cables.

Near-vision sufficient to read electronic documents, review code, and distinguish basic on-screen colors (e.g.,

for UI verification).

Clear spoken communication and active listening for in-person and virtual meetings, incident bridges, and

phone calls.

Ability to walk short distances, navigate a standard office environment, climb one flight of stairs, and stand

during white-boarding or presentations. Sit-stand desks and other ergonomic furniture are available upon

request.

Ability to lift and move equipment or boxed materials weighing up to 20 lbs (e.g., laptops, small servers,

office supplies).

Hybrid roles: Primary work performed on-site at the Encino Trace campus (Southwest Austin, TX) Monday-

Thursday; optional remote work on Fridays.

Fully remote roles: Primary work performed from the employee's home office within approved locations;

reliable high-speed internet and an ergonomically safe workspace are required.

Participation in overnight or weekend on-call rotations and critical production releases may require work

outside standard business hours.

OTHER DUTIES: Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a complete comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

EEO Employer

Apex Systems is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate or allow discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, genetic information, registered domestic partner status, marital status, disability, status as a crime victim, protected veteran status, political affiliation, union membership, or any other characteristic protected by law. Apex will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable law. If you have visited our website in search of information on employment opportunities or to apply for a position, and you require an accommodation in using our website for a search or application, please contact our Employee Services Department at or .

Apex Systems is a world-class IT services company that serves thousands of clients across the globe. When you join Apex, you become part of a team that values innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning. We offer quality career resources, training, certifications, development opportunities, and a comprehensive benefits package. Our commitment to excellence is reflected in many awards, including ClearlyRated's Best of Staffing in Talent Satisfaction in the United States and Great Place to Work in the United Kingdom and Mexico.

Apex Benefits Overview: Apex offers a range of supplemental benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and other insurance plans that offer an optional layer of financial protection. We offer an ESPP (employee stock purchase program) and a 401K program which allows you to contribute typically within 30 days of starting, with a company match after 12 months of tenure. Apex also offers a HSA (Health Savings Account on the HDHP plan), a SupportLinc Employee Assistance Program (EAP) with up to 8 free counseling sessions, a corporate discount savings program and other discounts. In terms of professional development, Apex hosts an on-demand training program, provides access to certification prep and a library of technical and leadership courses/books/seminars once you have 6+ months of tenure, and certification discounts and other perks to associations that include CompTIA and IIBA. Apex has a dedicated customer service team for our Consultants that can address questions around benefits and other resources, as well as a certified Career Coach. You can access a full list of our benefits, programs, support teams and resources within our 'Welcome Packet' as well, which an Apex team member can provide.