Jobs · Engineering · Utah

Senior Backend Engineer (Java/Kotlin, Microservices)

Cognizant · Salt Lake City, UT · 1 wk ago
HybridEngineering$70k–$120k/yrFull-time

About the role

We are seeking a highly skilled Senior Backend Engineer (Java/Kotlin, Microservices) to design and build scalable, high-performance backend systems for enterprise applications. This role requires deep expertise in Java-based development, modern microservices architecture, and cloud-native design principles.

Responsibilities

  • Design and develop scalable backend services using Java (17+) and Kotlin
  • Build and evolve microservices architectures, ensuring high availability, resiliency, and performance
  • Develop and maintain RESTful APIs following API-first design principles and enterprise integration standards
  • Implement event-driven architectures using technologies such as Kafka
  • Write clean, efficient, and secure enterprise-grade code, following best practices and coding standards
  • Contribute to system design, including distributed systems, fault tolerance, and scalability strategies
  • Optimize application performance, including JVM tuning, database performance, and caching mechanisms
  • Design and work with SQL and NoSQL databases (PostgreSQL, MongoDB, Redis)
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver end-to-end backend solutions
  • Participate in code reviews, testing, and CI/CD processes to ensure high-quality releases
  • Integrate and explore AI-driven capabilities (LLMs, RAG, semantic search) within backend systems where applicable
  • Contribute to technical documentation, architecture discussions, and continuous improvement initiatives

Requirements

  • Strong experience in backend development using Java (8–17+), with solid understanding of Core Java concepts (multithreading, collections, JVM)
  • Hands-on experience with Spring Boot and microservices architecture
  • Proficiency in building scalable, fault-tolerant APIs and distributed systems
  • Experience with Kotlin or willingness to work with it in production environments
  • Strong knowledge of event-driven systems and messaging (e.g., Kafka)
  • Experience working with relational and NoSQL databases (PostgreSQL, MongoDB, Redis)
  • Solid understanding of API design, security, and integration patterns
  • Experience with build and testing tools (Maven/Gradle, JUnit)
  • Familiarity with cloud-native development principles and scalable system design
  • Strong problem-solving skills and ability to work in a fast-paced, collaborative environment

Qualifications

  • Experience with reactive programming or frameworks (e.g., Vert.x)
  • Exposure to cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP)
  • Familiarity with containerization and orchestration tools (Docker, Kubernetes)
  • Experience with performance tuning and caching strategies
  • Knowledge of AI/ML concepts, including LLMs, RAG, vector databases, or prompt engineering
  • Understanding of advanced design patterns for distributed systems (e.g., Circuit Breaker, Saga)
  • Strong communication skills and ability to contribute to technical leadership discussions

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