Lead Java Developer [AQ-12656]

About the role

Aquent Talent is partnering with a leading financial services firm at the forefront of innovation, dedicated to empowering individuals and institutions to achieve their financial goals. This is an opportunity to join a critical core data technology team and shape customer and advisor experiences by building the next generation of a core client data platform. Your work will establish resilient and scalable solutions that power segmentation, client preferences, and experiences through event-driven architecture, APIs, batch processing, and eligibility frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Understand complex business needs, conduct thorough research on potential options, and recommend optimal solutions tailored to specific contexts.
• Proactively identify and mitigate risks related to delivery, scalability, performance, security, compliance, and operational readiness, either by addressing them directly or advocating for their prioritization.
• Create efficient, easy-to-follow architectural diagrams and documents, develop high-quality software code, and build robust automated test scripts.
• Architect and develop effective solutions that seamlessly align with the organization’s strategic vision.
• Consistently deliver work on time and with exceptional quality standards.
• Review team planning to ensure a deep understanding of work breakdown and dependencies, optimizing sequencing and prioritization.
• Lead and coach a team, fostering engineering excellence and best practices.
• Cultivate a culture of continuous engineering excellence, challenging the status quo to drive innovation.
• Identify gaps in processes and services across various environments, proposing effective improvements.
• Foster a culture of open feedback that promotes accountability and continuous improvement within the team.
• Facilitate productive discussions, ensuring every team member has an opportunity to share their opinion and be heard, with discussion outcomes directly tying to stated goals.
• Provide crucial support to the team on critical production issues, ensuring swift resolution.
• Build strong, collaborative relationships with adjacent domains and teams, promoting cross-functional synergy.

Requirements

• 6+ years of experience with Java, the Java Spring framework, cloud development, and Web Services (REST, SOAP) supporting high-volume transactions in a highly available environment.
• Demonstrated or hands-on experience with AI coding assistants used across day-to-day engineering workflows in the SDLC—including Design, Implementation, refactoring, unit testing, regression support, code reviews, scripting/automation, troubleshooting, and documentation—while applying sound engineering judgment and validation.
• Practical familiarity with AI coding assistants (e.g., various AI coding assistants).
• 2+ years of experience working with modernized batch solutions (e.g., Spring Batch or similar frameworks).
• 3+ years of experience with modern databases (e.g., PostgreSQL, Aerospike, or other cloud-compatible relational databases).
• 3+ years of experience in cloud deployment within a continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD) model.
• 3+ years of experience with continuous build processes using modern version control and build automation tools (e.g., Git-based systems, CI/CD pipelines).
• 2+ years of experience with major cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, GCP, or similar providers).
• 3+ years of experience in messaging technologies (e.g., RabbitMQ, Kafka, or similar systems).
• Proven experience in Test Driven Development, QA Automation, and a strong quality mindset and behaviors.
• Demonstrated ability in solution discovery and crafting designs based on robust engineering principles.
• 5+ years of experience demonstrating exceptional written, verbal, and people skills with proven experience communicating effectively at all levels.
• Ability to work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders, including offshore teams.
• Ability to analyze and solve complex problems creatively and efficiently.
• Ability to create comprehensive delivery roadmaps and plans, ensuring diligent adherence.

Nice-to-Have Qualifications

• Knowledge of Agile methodology and experience in an Agile working environment.
• Experience in IT Transformations and system modernization initiatives, moving from legacy to distributed platforms (e.g., Mainframe to modern Java/database systems).
• 2+ years of Python experience.
• Experience with collaboration and project management tools (e.g., JIRA, Confluence, or similar).
• Experience in the Financial Services industry.

Benefits

• Subsidized health, vision, and dental plans.
• Paid sick leave.
• Retirement plans with a match.
• Free online training through Aquent Gymnasium.