Lead Java Developer - Dearborn, MI

DTS is looking for Lead Java Developer for our direct client position in Dearborn, MI

Job Description

Job Summary:

• The Lead Developer provides hands-on technical leadership for a mission-critical, enterprise-scale application platform. This role partners closely with the Technical Manager to drive application development, cloud infrastructure design, and operational reliability across Azure-hosted environments.
• This position is highly technical and execution-focused, with {*}75% or more of time spent actively writing, reviewing, and maintaining application code{*}. In addition, the Lead Developer provides technical direction and oversight to senior developers, ensuring adherence to coding standards, architectural best practices, and high-quality delivery.
• The role requires a balance of software engineering expertise, cloud infrastructure knowledge, and development leadership, with a strong emphasis on system stability, scalability, and maintainability.   

Essential Job Functions:        

Technical Leadership & Oversight

 * Serve as the technical lead for the platform, collaborating with technical manager on design decisions, architecture, and coding standards

 * Provide guidance, direction, and oversight to senior developers and development teams

 * Lead and participate in code reviews to ensure quality, security, and adherence to standards

 * Establish and enforce best practices across development, testing, and deployment

 * Partner with leadership to drive continuous improvement and modernization efforts

Hands-On Development (Primary Responsibility)

 * Actively contributes to the codebase, spending *75% of time on hands-on development*

 * Design, develop, enhance, and maintain backend applications and APIs

 * Implement scalable, secure, and high-performance solutions

 * Identify and address technical debt, performance bottlenecks, and system inefficiencies

 * Ensure high-quality code through testing, validation, and review processes

Code Quality & Engineering Practices

 * Utilize tools such as *SonarQube* to monitor code quality and maintainability

 * Promote secure coding practices and strong test coverage

 * Partner with developers to improve overall code health and reduce technical debt

Cloud Infrastructure & DevOps

 * Collaborate with the Technical Manager to design and maintain *Azure-hosted environments*

 * Lead the implementation of *Infrastructure as Code (IaC)* using *Terraform and Ansible*

 * Support configuration and management of cloud resources, including compute, storage, and networking

 * Contribute to CI/CD pipeline development and optimization using *Azure DevOps*

 * Ensure environments are scalable, reliable, and aligned with enterprise security standards

Minimum Qualifications and Job Requirements:       

Technical Skills

 * Strong expertise in *Java / J2EE* and backend application development

 * PHP experience required{*}, including support and enhancement of production applications

 * Experience with {*}REST APIs{*}, JSON, and service-based architectures

 * Experience with {*}SQL Server and MySQL{*}, including performance tuning and data modeling

 * Experience supporting *Azure-hosted applications* in production environments

 * Hands-on experience with *Infrastructure as Code (IaC)* using *Terraform and Ansible*

 * Experience with *NGINX* and web server configuration

 * Experience working in *Agile / Scrum environments*

 * Proficiency with *JIRA* for Agile tracking and sprint management

 * Proficiency using *Azure DevOps* for source control, CI/CD pipelines, and deployments

 * Experience working with *SonarQube or similar code quality tools*

Communication & Leadership

 * Strong written and verbal communication skills

 * Proven ability to document application design, workflows, and system architecture

 * Experience providing technical leadership and oversight to senior developers

 * Ability to balance hands-on development responsibilities with leadership expectations

Preferred Qualifications

 * Kotlin experience preferred{*}, particularly within Java-based ecosystems

 * Experience supporting high-availability, enterprise-scale systems

 * Experience with application monitoring and reliability tools

 * Familiarity with performance tuning, caching strategies, and backend optimization

Other Responsibilities:           

Deployment & Operations

 * Participate in release planning, deployment execution, and change management processes

 * Collaborate with infrastructure, security, and vendor teams on system maintenance and improvements

 * Maintain and enhance operational processes and system reliability

Monitoring & Reliability

 * Support applications monitored through {*}24/7 monitoring tools{*}, ensuring system health and availability

 * Analyze alerts, system metrics, and trends to proactively identify issues

 * Contribute to root cause analysis and continuous improvement efforts

Documentation & Communication

 * Develop and maintain clear technical documentation, including:

 ** Application architecture and design

 ** System workflows and processes

 ** Deployment and operational procedures

 * Communicate effectively with technical and non-technical stakeholders

 * Act as a trusted technical advisor to leadership and cross-functional teams

Contact

Kuldeep Singh

Team Lead

Digital Technology Solutions