Full Stack Tech Lead(F2F Interview)

Job title: Full Stack Tech Lead (Java Microservices & React UI)
Location: Chicago, IL - onsite 3 days (LOCAL CANDIDATES ONLY!)
Duration: Long term contract
Interview: F2F
**Position Overview**

We are seeking an experienced **Full Stack Tech Lead** with over 10 years of software engineering experience, including expertise in **Java microservices** and **React-based UI development**. This role requires a strong background in designing and implementing scalable solutions, leading technical teams, and driving modernisation initiatives. Experience in the **financial services industry** is highly preferred.
**Key Responsibilities**

1. **Technical Leadership & Architecture**:
Lead the design, development, and implementation of full-stack solutions using **Java, Spring Boot, Microservices, and React.js** .
Define and enforce coding standards, best practices, and architectural patterns to ensure scalability and maintainability .
Drive the modernization of legacy systems (e.g., monoliths) into cloud-native microservices architectures .
2. **Full Stack Development**:
Develop and maintain robust front-end applications using **React.js** (with hooks, state management, and modern tooling) and back-end services using **Java Spring Boot** .
Build and integrate **RESTful APIs and microservices**, ensuring high performance and responsiveness .
Optimize database schemas and queries for relational (e.g., Oracle, SQL Server) and NoSQL databases (e.g., MongoDB) .
3. **Project Modernization & Innovation**:
Analyze existing systems to identify opportunities for re-architecture and improvement .
Implement event-driven architectures using **Kafka** and cloud technologies (e.g., AWS, Azure, Kubernetes) .
Ensure solutions align with business goals, particularly in financial services (e.g., payments, risk management) .
4. **Team Mentorship & Collaboration**:
Mentor junior and mid-level developers, conduct code reviews, and foster a culture of technical excellence .
Collaborate with cross-functional teams (product managers, UX/UI designers, DevOps) to deliver high-quality software .
Act as a key technical resource and escalation point for complex issues .
5. **DevOps & Quality Assurance**:
Implement CI/CD pipelines using tools like **Jenkins, GitHub, Harness, and Docker** .
Ensure code quality through testing frameworks (e.g., JUnit, Mockito, Jest) and secure coding practices .
Manage deployments and infrastructure using cloud platforms and containerization (e.g., Kubernetes) .
**Technical Requirements**
| **Category** | **Skills & Technologies** |
|----------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| **Frontend** | React.js (with hooks, Redux), HTML5, CSS, JavaScript, TypeScript, Node.js |
| **Backend** | Java 17+, Spring Boot, Microservices, RESTful APIs, Kafka, Apache Camel |
| **Databases** | Oracle, SQL Server, MongoDB, SQL/NoSQL optimization |
| **Cloud & DevOps** | Azure, Kubernetes, Docker, Jenkins, CI/CD pipelines, GitHub |
| **Testing & Tools** | JUnit, Mockito, Jest, SonarQube, Checkmarx, JIRA, Confluence |
**Soft Skills & Leadership**

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to collaborate with technical and non-technical stakeholders .
Strong problem-solving abilities and experience troubleshooting complex full-stack issues .
Proven ability to lead projects, make technology decisions, and drive agile delivery .
**Qualifications**

**Experience**: 10+ years in software engineering, with at least 5 years in a leadership or tech lead role .
**Education**: Bachelor s or Master s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field .
**Industry Background**: Financial services experience (e.g., payments, banking, risk management) is highly preferred .
**Certifications**: Cloud (AWS/Azure) or Java certifications are a plus.