Application Modernization Lead Engineer (Java, Spring, Open Liberty, Docker, Kubernetes, AWS)

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced Application Modernization Lead Engineer to lead modernization initiatives across legacy Java applications and guide teams in transforming them into cloud‑native, containerized solutions on AWS. The ideal candidate has strong technical depth in Java/Spring, Open Liberty, Docker, Kubernetes, and AWS, combined with leadership skills to drive modernization execution.

Responsibilities

• Lead modernization efforts for legacy Java/J2EE applications, including assessment, decomposition, refactoring, and re‑architecture.
• Modernize workloads to Open Liberty and design scalable microservices using Java, Spring Boot, and Spring Cloud.
• Define modernization standards, best practices, and reusable patterns for microservices, containers, and integrations.
• Oversee containerization using Docker and orchestrate deployments on Kubernetes (EKS preferred).
• Design and support AWS‑based architectures leveraging EKS, ECS, API Gateway, Lambda, RDS/Aurora, DynamoDB, SQS/SNS, IAM, and networking components.
• Guide engineering teams on cloud-native development, API design, integration patterns, and modernization techniques.
• Collaborate with DevOps, QA, SRE, and architecture teams to ensure smooth CI/CD pipelines and production deployments.
• Perform code reviews, troubleshoot modernization issues, and ensure performance, security, and resilience best practices.
• Lead onshore/offshore modernization coordination, sprint planning, release readiness, and production cutovers.

Requirements

Experience Required:

• 12+ years of relevant professional experience in full-stack Java development.
• Solid years of hands-on experience in Java application development and modernization.
• Strong expertise in Java, Spring Boot, Spring Cloud, and Open Liberty (mandatory).
• Hands‑on experience with Docker, Kubernetes (EKS preferred), and container-based application delivery.
• Deep understanding of AWS services used in modernization and microservices deployments.
• Proven experience modernizing monolithic Java applications to microservices.
• Experience guiding engineering teams, reviewing technical designs, and driving modernization execution.
• Good understanding of CI/CD pipelines (Jenkins, GitHub Actions, AWS CodePipeline).
• Excellent problem-solving, leadership, and communication skills.
• Ability to work the required shift and handle additional calls.

Preferred:

• Experience with messaging systems (Kafka, SQS/SNS).
• Understanding of distributed systems, cloud-native patterns, and service mesh architectures.
• AWS certifications (nice to have).
• Experience in modernization programs or cloud migration projects.

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related field.