Java Lead / Java Architect

Job Title: Java Lead / Java Architect

Location: Princeton, NJ / Irvine, CA (Hybrid)

Job Summary

We are seeking an experiencedJava Lead / Java Architect to design, develop, and lead the implementation of scalable, high-performance enterprise applications. The ideal candidate will possess deep expertise in Java technologies, microservices architecture, cloud platforms, and modern software engineering practices. This role requires strong technical leadership, architecture design experience, and the ability to mentor development teams while collaborating with cross-functional stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and delivery of enterprise-grade Java applications.
• Define application architecture and technical roadmaps aligned with business objectives.
• Design and implement scalable microservices using Spring Boot and RESTful APIs.
• Develop cloud-native applications on AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud Platform.
• Drive architecture discussions, design reviews, and code quality initiatives.
• Lead technical solutioning for complex business requirements.
• Mentor developers and establish engineering best practices, coding standards, and CI/CD processes.
• Optimize application performance, scalability, reliability, and security.
• Collaborate with product owners, business analysts, QA teams, and DevOps engineers.
• Review code, troubleshoot production issues, and provide technical guidance throughout the SDLC.
• Evaluate and recommend emerging technologies, frameworks, and architectural patterns.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field.
• 10+ years of experience in Java application development.
• 3+ years of experience in a Lead or Architect role.
• Strong expertise in Java 11/17+, Spring Boot, Spring MVC, Spring Security, and Spring Cloud.
• Hands-on experience designing Microservices architecture.
• Strong knowledge of RESTful APIs, SOAP, and event-driven architecture.
• Experience with Kafka, RabbitMQ, or similar messaging platforms.
• Strong knowledge of SQL and NoSQL databases such as Oracle, PostgreSQL, MongoDB, or Cassandra.
• Experience with Hibernate/JPA.
• Hands-on experience with Docker and Kubernetes.
• Experience working with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, or GCP).
• Strong understanding of CI/CD pipelines using Jenkins, GitHub Actions, GitLab CI, or Azure DevOps.
• Proficiency with Git and Agile/Scrum methodologies.
• Excellent problem-solving, communication, and leadership skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Domain-Driven Design (DDD) and Event-Driven Architecture.
• Experience implementing API Gateway and service mesh technologies.
• Knowledge of Terraform, Helm, or Infrastructure as Code (IaC).
• Experience with Elasticsearch, Redis, or distributed caching solutions.
• Familiarity with observability tools such as Prometheus, Grafana, Splunk, or ELK Stack.
• Experience with OAuth2, JWT, SAML, and enterprise authentication solutions.
• Knowledge of AI-assisted development tools and software modernization initiatives.
• Cloud certifications (AWS Solutions Architect, Azure Architect, or Google Professional Cloud Architect) are a plus.

Technical Skills

• Java 11/17/21
• Spring Boot, Spring Cloud, Spring Security
• Microservices Architecture
• REST APIs, GraphQL
• Kafka, RabbitMQ
• Docker, Kubernetes
• AWS / Azure / GCP
• Oracle, PostgreSQL, MongoDB
• Hibernate/JPA
• Redis
• Jenkins, GitHub Actions, GitLab CI
• Maven, Gradle
• Git
• Terraform
• SonarQube
• JUnit, Mockito
• Agile/Scrum

Leadership Expectations

• Lead and mentor engineering teams.
• Drive architectural governance and technical decision-making.
• Conduct design and code reviews.
• Collaborate with business and technical stakeholders.
• Promote engineering excellence, innovation, and continuous improvement.

Nice to Have

• Experience in Financial Services, Healthcare, Retail, or Insurance domains.
• Experience leading distributed teams.
• Experience with application modernization and cloud migration initiatives.
• Knowledge of GenAI/LLM integrations for enterprise applications.