Java Backend Engineer/Developer – SC Cleared

Senior Backend Java Engineer

We are looking for a hands-on Senior Backend Java Engineer with recent experience building, testing, and deploying production-grade APIs and microservices. This is a coding-first backend role. We want someone actively engineering in their current or most recent role, not someone whose recent experience is mainly support, coordination, architecture-only, or line management.

Essential skills and experience

• Strong hands-on commercial coding experience with modern Java (Java v17 min, v21 LTS or newer preferred)
• Strong experience with Spring Boot
• Experience building REST APIs / microservices from scratch
• Strong testing skills using JUnit, Mockito, and ideally TDD
• Experience with PostgreSQL or another relational SQL database
• Experience with Docker
• Experience with CI/CD pipelines (e.g. Jenkins, GitHub Actions, GitLab CI, Azure DevOps)
• Comfortable working in agile, cross-functional teams
• Has current SC clearance

Desirable

• OpenAPI / Swagger
• Liquibase or Flyway
• Gradle
• Kafka
• Observability / monitoring experience
• Exposure to Kubernetes
• Some awareness of React / TypeScript

What we need from candidates

• Built backend services or APIs themselves
• Worked on microservice-based systems
• Written automated tests as part of delivery
• Used Docker and CI/CD in practice
• Stayed technically current with modern Java and Spring Boot

Non-negotiables

• Recent hands-on Java backend coding experience
• Built Spring Boot APIs/services from scratch
• Used Java 17/21+ in recent roles
• Written unit/integration tests
• Worked with SQL databases
• Used Docker and CI/CD
• Has SC clearance, or is willing and eligible to obtain it
• Ability to complete a practical coding assessment

Profiles unlikely to be a fit

• Production support / L3 support
• Bug fixing only
• Release or process coordination
• Line management with limited coding
• Architecture / governance without recent delivery
• Legacy Java maintenance without clear modern backend engineering experience

…