Senior Backend Engineer - Java & AWS / Kubernetes

job summary:

Fully onsite McLean, VA

location: McLean, Virginia

job type: Contract to Perm

salary: $70 - 90 per hour

work hours: 9am to 5pm

education: Bachelors



responsibilities:

Design, develop, test, deploy, and support backend application capabilities, including Java-based microservices, REST APIs, event-driven distributed services, AMQ-based messaging integrations, data access layers, platform modernization components, and production enhancements.

Apply strong hands-on engineering skills to build scalable, secure, resilient, observable, and maintainable backend services using modern software design patterns and cloud-native practices.

Collaborate closely with Product Owners, architects, business stakeholders, and cross-functional technology teams to clarify requirements, align on technical approaches, manage dependencies, and deliver business outcomes.

Build and enhance backend services using Java, Spring Boot, REST APIs, microservices architecture, event-driven design patterns, AMQ messaging, MongoDB, relational databases, Kubernetes, AWS, CI/CD pipelines, containerization, integration patterns, and automated testing frameworks.

Create proofs of concept, demos, and prototypes to evaluate emerging technologies, validate new ideas, and accelerate adoption of modern engineering patterns and platform capabilities.

Follow and strengthen software engineering standards, including clean code, scalable design, code reviews, automated testing, deployment discipline, application security, observability, documentation, and operational readiness.

Ensure backend solutions are delivered with appropriate compliance, auditability, security, resiliency, accessibility, data quality, performance, and production support considerations.

Support production operations by participating in incident triage, root-cause analysis, application monitoring, logging, alerting, recovery practices, and continuous improvement of backend service reliability.

Contribute as a senior individual developer by independently solving complex technical problems, improving existing codebases, reducing technical debt, and helping establish reusable backend engineering patterns.

Promote a culture of ownership, collaboration, continuous improvement, and engineering excellence by sharing knowledge, documenting solutions, and supporting effective delivery within the team.

qualifications:

8+ years of related software engineering experience with strong hands-on backend development expertise in enterprise application environments.

Demonstrated experience delivering complex backend technology initiatives across microservices, APIs, AMQ-based messaging, integration services, data platforms, cloud-native deployments, platform modernization, and production enhancements, with very seasoned hands-on experience designing and implementing AWS-based, event-driven distributed systems.

Required hands-on experience with Java, Spring Boot, REST APIs, microservices architecture, MongoDB, AMQ or similar messaging platforms, CI/CD pipelines, automated testing frameworks, and SQL or relational databases; very seasoned experience in AWS and event-driven distributed systems is required, and Kubernetes experience is a must.

Strong background in backend software engineering, API design, data modeling, MongoDB schema design, event-driven architecture, asynchronous messaging, enterprise integration patterns, application security, performance tuning, resiliency, and delivery of scalable digital products for business and end-user needs.

Experience applying software engineering standards, including clean architecture, scalable design, secure coding practices, automated testing, peer reviews, deployment discipline, compliance standards, auditability, observability, and production readiness.

Proven ability to evaluate technical options, contribute to architecture and design discussions, independently implement solutions, and create proofs of concept or demos to validate new ideas and emerging backend technologies.

Experience supporting production applications, including incident triage, debugging, root-cause analysis, resiliency improvements, logging, monitoring, alerting, and continuous improvement of application and platform reliability.

Strong individual contributor mindset with the ability to take ownership of complex deliverables, collaborate effectively, mentor peers informally, and raise the engineering quality of the codebase.

Ability to work effectively with Product Owners, architects, business stakeholders, vendors, and internal engineering teams to clarify requirements, resolve dependencies, and deliver high-quality backend software solutions.

Bachelor's degree in computer science, information systems, or a related technical discipline, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and work experience; advanced degree preferred.

Keys to Success in this Role:

Deliver high-quality backend solutions with strong ownership across design, development, testing, deployment, and production readiness.

Demonstrate deep hands-on expertise in Java, Spring Boot, MongoDB, AMQ, APIs, event-driven distributed microservices, CI/CD, automated testing, and cloud-native engineering practices, with very seasoned AWS experience and mandatory Kubernetes expertise.

Independently solve complex technical problems, simplify designs where appropriate, reduce technical debt, and improve maintainability of backend services.

Maintain focus on production quality, platform resiliency, performance, observability, auditability, and operational excellence throughout the software delivery lifecycle.

Communicate effectively with Product Owners, architects, business stakeholders, and engineering partners to align on requirements, technical approaches, dependencies, and delivery expectations.

Use engineering metrics, production support learnings, code quality signals, and operational feedback to improve backend service reliability and delivery effectiveness.

Bring strong engineering discipline, curiosity, and accountability while collaborating with the team to deliver secure, scalable, and maintainable backend capabilities.

skills:

AWS,AWS-based,AWS experience,API design,APIs,AI,automated testing,backend,backend services,clean code,cloud-native,cloud-native engineering,platform modernization,code reviews,containerization,CI/CD pipelines,CI/CD,logging,data platforms,data access,data services,distributed systems,enterprise integration patterns,messaging platforms,enterprise application,event-driven systems,event-driven design,event-driven architecture,application monitoring,information systems,computer science,Java,Java-based,expertise in Java,Kubernetes,asynchronous messaging,microservices architecture,microservices,distributed microservices,scalable design,MongoDB,clean architecture,performance tuning,relational databases,REST APIs,SQL,secure coding practices,cloud-native services,debugging,software design patterns,software engineering practices,software engineering,code quality,application security,software solutions,Spring Boot,platform reliability,software delivery lifecycle,integration services,technical debt,Communicate effectively,curiosity,work effectively,resilient,solving complex technical problems,accountability,reliability,discipline,Independently,collaborating,architecture,asset management,automated testing frameworks,automation,operational efficiency,continuous improvement,critical business processes,business processes,business needs,prototypes,data modeling,data quality,delivery experience,digital products,securities,securitization,incident triage,engineering skills,purchasing,compliance standards,portfolio operations,production quality,mentor,metrics,mortgage industry,application platforms,operational excellence,operational readiness,production operations,production readiness,production support,risk,root-cause analysis,security,scalability,testing,usability

Equal Opportunity Employer: Race, Color, Religion, Sex, Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, National Origin, Age, Genetic Information, Disability, Protected Veteran Status, or any other legally protected group status.

At Randstad Digital, we welcome people of all abilities and want to ensure that our hiring and interview process meets the needs of all applicants. If you require a reasonable accommodation to make your application or interview experience a great one, please contact

Pay offered to a successful candidate will be based on several factors including the candidate's education, work experience, work location, specific job duties, certifications, etc. In addition, Randstad Digital offers a comprehensive benefits package, including: medical, prescription, dental, vision, AD&D, and life insurance offerings, short-term disability, and a 401K plan (all benefits are based on eligibility).

This posting is open for thirty (30) days.