What are the responsibilities and job description for the Principal Java Backend Software Engineer position at Engineering Square?
Job Title: Principal Java Backend Software Engineer
Location: Cincinnati, Ohio, USA (Hybrid Onsite)
Experience: 12 Years
Position Type: Contract
NOTE: Please confirm that no profiles were submitted to this client within the last 90 days
Role Overview
We are seeking a highly experienced Principal Java Backend Software Engineer to design, develop, and lead scalable backend solutions within an agile environment. This role involves hands-on development, architectural leadership, and mentoring responsibilities while ensuring adherence to engineering best practices and risk/compliance standards.
Key Responsibilities
- Design, develop, and enhance backend features and applications with a focus on scalability, performance, and reliability
- Define and drive the long-term technical vision and architecture across multiple services and systems
- Act as a technical leader within agile squads, participating in all ceremonies from design to delivery
- Develop high-quality, maintainable, and testable code following industry standards and metrics
- Implement test-driven development (TDD) and promote engineering best practices
- Lead and mentor developers by conducting code reviews, defining standards, and sharing knowledge
- Architect and integrate distributed systems, microservices, and RESTful APIs
- Collaborate with DevOps and operations teams to improve system performance and reliability
- Automate processes to achieve operational excellence
- Stay updated with emerging technologies and industry trends
- Troubleshoot and resolve complex technical issues for internal and external stakeholders
- Maintain documentation, operational procedures, and ensure audit/compliance readiness
- Identify, assess, and manage risks in alignment with organizational policies
Required Skills & Qualifications
- Bachelor s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or related field
- 12 years of experience in backend software development
- Strong expertise in Java and related technologies
- Hands-on experience with Spring and Spring Boot frameworks
- Experience building and consuming RESTful APIs
- Proficiency with AWS cloud services
- Experience with Git/GitHub and modern version control practices
- Familiarity with DevOps tools such as Jenkins
- Experience with Kafka or other messaging systems
- Strong understanding of software design patterns (OOP and functional programming)
- Knowledge of secure coding practices and application security
- Excellent problem-solving, communication, and collaboration skills
Preferred Skills
- Experience with microservices architecture
- Exposure to GitHub Copilot or AI-assisted development tools
- Experience in financial services or fintech domain
- Strong understanding of CI/CD pipelines
Role Expectations
- Lead by example in coding standards and engineering excellence
- Drive continuous improvement through communities of practice
- Ensure delivery aligns with business goals and customer experience
- Maintain high standards of compliance, documentation, and risk management