IT Software Engineer 4

Cullerton Group has a new opportunity for an IT Software Engineer 4. The work will be done on a hybrid schedule in Chicago, IL (2 days per week onsite). This is a long-term 12-month position that can lead to permanent employment with our client. Compensation is up to $96.15/hr full benefits (vision, dental, health insurance, 401k, and holiday pay).

Job Summary

Cullerton Group is seeking a highly experienced Senior Java Software Engineer to lead backend development for large-scale digital platform initiatives. This engineer will design, build, and deploy modern, high-availability backend services while providing technical leadership, mentorship, and guidance to the engineering team. The role includes solving complex system challenges, driving best practices, and ensuring high standards of code quality and performance. The ideal candidate will be a hands-on expert in Java development, cloud services, and distributed systems with a strong ability to work independently on complex technical problems.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead design and development of backend applications using Java 17 and modern frameworks

• Serve as team lead, providing technical guidance, mentorship, and code reviews

• Develop RESTful APIs and backend services with a focus on scalability, reliability, and performance

• Work independently on complex systems and infrastructure components used across multiple applications

• Identify and resolve complex application issues, including occasional off-shift support when needed

• Drive development of new features, evaluate new technologies, and promote engineering best practices

• Perform integration testing, customer acceptance testing, and ensure high-quality software delivery

• Collaborate with internal teams and stakeholders to define requirements and validate solutions

• Encourage continuous improvement and identify growth opportunities for the development team

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related field

• Minimum 8 years of experience designing and developing backend software applications in Java

• Strong expertise in Java 17, backend services, and RESTful web service development

• Hands-on experience with AWS services, including IAM, Kinesis, DynamoDB, API Gateway, SQS, SNS, and KMS

• Proficiency in SQL queries (Slick), DevOps practices, and building high-availability, resilient systems

• Ability to work under pressure, prioritize effectively, and collaborate in a fast-paced team environment

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with application architecture, distributed systems, and cloud-native development

• Familiarity with event-driven architectures and scalable messaging systems

• Strong problem-solving skills with an enterprise-wide approach to solution design

• Experience mentoring junior developers and leading cross-functional development efforts

Why This Role?

This position provides the opportunity to lead backend development for major digital platform initiatives, working with modern technologies and a high-performing engineering team. You’ll have significant autonomy, influence architectural decisions, and contribute directly to building scalable systems that support critical business capabilities. Cullerton Group offers a professional environment with strong career development potential, technical growth opportunities, and long-term stability.