Lead Java Developer

Job Role: Java Lead Engineer with strong Microsoft Azure Experience

(11+ Years + Lead experience)

Location: Rockville, MD (Onsite Work)

Duration: Long Term Contract

Job Description:

·      We are seeking a Java Lead Engineer with strong hands-on Microsoft Azure experience to lead the design, development, and delivery of secure, scalable banking applications.

·      This role combines technical leadership, cloud architecture, and hands-on engineering, with responsibility for code quality, application reliability, and mentoring developers.

The client works in the banking and finance sector.

Key Responsibilities:

·      Lead the development of Java applications using Spring Boot, Spring Security, and microservices architecture.

·      Design and deploy cloud-native solutions on Azure, selecting appropriate services for compute, integration, data storage, and security.

·      Build and maintain REST APIs and event-driven integrations across banking platforms and third-party systems.

·      Guide architectural decisions, conduct code reviews, establish engineering standards, and mentor team members.

·      Implement secure authentication and authorization using OAuth 2.0, OpenID Connect, Microsoft Entra ID, and managed identities.

·      Develop CI/CD pipelines using Azure DevOps or equivalent tools, incorporating automated testing, security scanning, and deployment controls.

·      Automate infrastructure provisioning using Terraform or Bicep.

·      Improve application performance, observability, availability, and disaster recovery readiness.

·      Partner with product owners, architects, cybersecurity teams, and operations to translate business requirements into reliable technical solutions.

·      Support production systems, lead root cause analysis, and implement measures to prevent recurring incidents.

·      Ensure solutions meet the bank's requirements for data protection, auditability, and regulatory compliance.

·      Success in This Role: You will deliver dependable Java and Azure solutions, strengthen engineering practices, and help the team build secure banking services that are maintainable, observable, and resilient.

Required Qualifications:

·      Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.

·      8+ years of software engineering experience, including significant Java development and 2+ years in a technical leadership role.

·      Strong proficiency in Java, Spring Boot, Spring Framework, JPA/Hibernate, and automated testing.

·      Substantial hands-on experience designing, deploying, and operating production applications on Microsoft Azure.

·      Experience with Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS) or Azure App Service, plus Azure API Management, Key Vault, Azure Monitor, and Application Insights.

·      Experience with messaging and event-driven systems using Azure Service Bus, Event Hubs, Kafka, or comparable technologies.

·      Strong understanding of Docker, Kubernetes, CI/CD, and infrastructure as code.

·      Proficiency in SQL, relational database design, query optimization, and transaction management.

·      Solid understanding of distributed systems, resilience patterns, idempotency, and secure API design.

·      Proven ability to lead technical delivery, troubleshoot complex issues, and communicate effectively with technical and business stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications:

·      Experience in banking, financial services, or another regulated industry.

·      Knowledge of payments, account servicing, lending, or core banking integrations.

·      Experience modernizing legacy Java applications and migrating workloads to Azure.

·      Familiarity with private networking, role-based access control, encryption, and cloud governance.

·      Experience with performance testing, disaster recovery exercises, and Azure cost optimization.

·      Microsoft Azure certification is a plus.