Senior Java Backend Engineer

Senior Java Backend Engineer (Hybrid)

We are seeking a highly experienced Senior Java Backend Engineer with deep expertise in Java, Spring Boot, Kafka, AWS, and SQL to join our growing engineering team. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of designing, developing, and supporting large-scale enterprise applications while driving technical excellence across distributed systems and cloud-native architectures.

In this role, you will be responsible for building resilient backend services, optimizing event-driven solutions, and delivering secure, scalable applications that support critical business functions. You will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams in a hybrid work environment to create innovative solutions that generate meaningful value for customers and the organization.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and implement robust backend services using Java and Spring Boot that deliver reliable business capabilities and provide a scalable foundation for critical enterprise applications.
• Develop, optimize, and maintain Kafka-based event streaming solutions that enable real-time data processing and support event-driven architectures.
• Architect cloud-native components on AWS, including compute, storage, networking, and security services, to support highly available and scalable solutions.
• Create and optimize complex SQL queries, database schemas, and data models to ensure performance, scalability, and data integrity.
• Collaborate with cross-functional product and engineering teams to translate business requirements into scalable technical solutions.
• Enhance system reliability through unit testing, integration testing, and automated quality assurance processes.
• Drive performance tuning initiatives across services, databases, and messaging platforms to improve application efficiency and user experience.
• Implement secure coding practices, authentication and authorization frameworks, data protection standards, and logging strategies.
• Contribute to CI/CD pipelines and deployment automation to accelerate release cycles while maintaining platform stability.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to development teams, promoting engineering excellence and best practices.
• Investigate and resolve complex production issues through troubleshooting, root cause analysis, and preventive improvements.
• Create and maintain technical documentation, system architecture diagrams, API specifications, and operational runbooks.
• Evaluate emerging technologies, frameworks, and cloud services to improve scalability, reliability, security, and developer productivity.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or a related field.
• 10–13 years of backend software engineering experience delivering enterprise-grade applications and distributed systems.
• Strong hands-on expertise in Java and Spring Boot, including Microservices Architecture and enterprise integrations.
• Extensive experience with Apache Kafka, including topic design, consumer groups, stream processing, and event-driven architectures.
• Deep understanding of AWS Cloud Services, including compute, storage, networking, security, and cloud-native application development.
• Strong expertise in SQL, including schema design, indexing, query optimization, performance tuning, and database troubleshooting.
• Experience designing and supporting scalable, secure, and highly available distributed systems.
• Strong knowledge of software engineering best practices including version control, code reviews, testing methodologies, CI/CD, and documentation.
• Experience working in Agile/Scrum environments.
• Excellent communication, analytical, problem-solving, and collaboration skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Microservices and Event-Driven Architecture patterns.
• Experience with Docker and Kubernetes.
• Familiarity with monitoring, observability, and logging platforms.
• Experience supporting large-scale mission-critical enterprise applications.

Preferred Certifications

• AWS Certified Developer – Associate
• AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate
• Confluent Certified Developer for Apache Kafka

Work Model

Hybrid – Candidates must be comfortable working in a hybrid environment and collaborating with distributed teams across multiple locations.

Why Apply?

We’re excited to meet people who share our mission and can make an impact in a variety of ways. Don’t hesitate to apply, even if you only meet the minimum requirements listed. Think about your transferable experiences and unique skills that make you stand out as someone who can bring new and exciting things to this role.

Salary and Other Compensation

The annual salary for this position is between $84,000 – $135,000, depending on experience and other qualifications of the successful candidate.

This position is also eligible for Cognizant’s discretionary annual incentive program, based on performance and subject to the terms of Cognizant’s applicable plans.

Benefits

Cognizant offers the following benefits for this position, subject to applicable eligibility requirements:

• Medical/Dental/Vision/Life Insurance
• Paid Holidays plus Paid Time Off
• 401(k) Plan and Contributions
• Long-term/Short-term Disability
• Paid Parental Leave
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Disclaimer

The salary, other compensation, and benefits information is accurate as of the date of this posting. Cognizant reserves the right to modify this information at any time, subject to applicable law.

Important Disclaimers

Application Deadline

Applications for this position will be accepted until August 12, 2026. Candidates are encouraged to apply as early as possible, as the posting may close sooner if a sufficient pool of qualified applicants is identified.

Please note: A few of our roles may require in-person interviews at Cognizant offices or client locations, depending on project or client needs.

Candidate must be legally authorized to work in Canada without the need for employer sponsorship, now or at any time in the future.