Java Lead/Architect

Company Overview

At 4A Consulting, we turn complexity into opportunity. Founded in 2014 and headquartered in Baltimore, MD, we are a women-owned, boutique consulting firm specializing in delivering innovative, data-driven solutions to both the Federal Government and Fortune 500 clients. Our team blends deep industry knowledge with advanced technologies to design tailored strategies that drive measurable and sustainable outcomes. We pride ourselves on an agile, collaborative approach that helps organizations navigate challenges and seize emerging opportunities in a rapidly evolving digital landscape. At 4A, we don’t just deliver projects, we build trusted partnerships that empower our clients to lead with confidence in the digital age.

Position Overview

We are seeking a Java Lead / Architect with strong hands-on expertise in enterprise Java service development and technical architecture leadership. This role focuses on designing, building, troubleshooting, and leading development of scalable production-grade services using Java, Spring Boot, and RESTful APIs.

The ideal candidate will have deep experience with Java microservices architecture, Spring Framework, API design, security implementation, and technical leadership within enterprise environments.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and support enterprise-grade Java services and microservices
• Lead architecture design and technical decision-making across development initiatives
• Develop scalable and secure backend solutions using Java and Spring Boot
• Implement authentication and authorization mechanisms using Spring Security
• Design and develop RESTful APIs following best practices for versioning, contract management, and backward compatibility
• Create and maintain API documentation and integration standards
• Troubleshoot production issues and optimize application performance and reliability
• Provide architecture guidance, code reviews, technical feedback, and mentoring to development teams
• Drive engineering best practices and ensure secure-by-design implementation patterns
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver high-quality enterprise solutions
• Support Agile development processes and technical delivery initiatives
• Participate in system design discussions, technical reviews, and solution planning

Required Qualifications

• 14 years of experience in Java application development and architecture
• 10 years of US-based professional experience required
• Expert-level experience with Java service development and enterprise applications
• Strong hands-on experience with Spring Boot and Spring Framework
• Strong expertise with Spring Security and secure application development practices
• Strong RESTful API design and development experience
• Experience implementing API versioning, backward compatibility, and contract-driven development
• Strong experience troubleshooting and supporting production systems
• Proven technical leadership experience including architecture reviews, mentoring, and engineering guidance
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills
• Strong verbal and written communication skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience designing cloud-native or microservices-based architectures
• Experience working within enterprise Agile development environments
• Experience leading distributed engineering teams
• Experience supporting high-volume enterprise applications

Why Join 4A

• Be part of a mission-driven, women-owned consulting firm with a reputation for excellence.
• Work on high-impact projects across federal and commercial clients.
• Collaborate in an inclusive, growth-oriented culture where innovation is valued.
• Access career development programs, mentorship, and learning opportunities.
• Enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, flexible work options, and a focus on work-life balance.

Equal Opportunity Statement

4A Consulting is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

We want every candidate to have the opportunity to shine. is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to building an inclusive environment. If you need a reasonable accommodation to apply for a role or participate in the interview process due to a disability, please let us know by reaching out to hr@4a-consulting.com.

Please note that 4A Consulting participates in the federal E-Verify program. Upon hire, we will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the US. 4A Consulting will only use E-Verify once you have accepted a job offer and completed the Form I-9.