Sr. Java Backend Engineer (Microservices & Kafka)

About the role

In this role, you will design and develop reactive microservices using Java 8+ and frameworks such as Spring Boot or Vert.x, while leveraging Kafka and asynchronous communication patterns to build robust event-driven systems. You will work closely with cross-functional teams in an Agile environment, contributing to both software development and system design decisions. This position requires a self-driven engineer who thrives in fast-paced, evolving environments, is comfortable with ambiguity, and enjoys experimenting with new approaches. You will be expected to take ownership of your work, support high-availability platforms, and collaborate effectively with teammates while maintaining strong communication and a team-first mindset.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and maintain scalable backend services using Java 8+ (or Kotlin)
• Build reactive, microservices-based applications using frameworks such as Spring Boot, Vert.x, Micronaut, or Quarkus
• Develop and implement event-driven architectures leveraging Kafka, webhooks, and asynchronous APIs
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams in an Agile environment to deliver high-quality software solutions
• Contribute to application design, architecture decisions, and technical best practices
• Ensure high availability, performance, and reliability of mission-critical platforms
• Work with cloud-based and distributed systems to support scalable solutions
• Participate in code reviews, testing, and continuous improvement initiatives
• Communicate effectively with stakeholders and provide constructive feedback and technical insights
• Take ownership of deliverables while working in ambiguous and fast-paced environments
• Promote a collaborative, team-first culture and continuously explore new technologies and approaches

Requirements

• Strong hands-on experience with Java 8+ (Kotlin is a plus)
• Proven experience building microservices-based architectures
• Hands-on experience with at least one modern framework: Spring Boot (preferred) Vert.x, Micronaut, or Quarkus
• Experience with event-driven systems and messaging technologies such as Kafka
• Solid experience designing and developing RESTful APIs
• Strong understanding of application design and software development best practices
• Experience working with relational databases (PostgreSQL, Oracle, or equivalent)
• Exposure to NoSQL databases such as Couchbase or similar
• Experience working in Agile development environments
• Proven ability to support high-availability, mission-critical systems
• Familiarity with cloud-based and distributed system architectures
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to collaborate and provide constructive feedback
• Self-motivated and able to work effectively in fast-paced, ambiguous environments

Skills

• 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
• Experience with Python for scripting, automation, or data-related tasks
• Understanding of advanced design patterns for distributed systems (e.g., Circuit Breaker, Saga)
• Strong communication skills and ability to contribute to technical leadership discussions

Pay

The annual salary for this position ranges from $69,000 – $125,000, depending on experience and qualifications. This position is also eligible for Cognizant’s discretionary annual incentive program, based on performance and subject to applicable plan terms.

Benefits

• Medical/Dental/Vision/Life Insurance
• Paid Holidays & Paid Time Off
• 401(k) plan with contributions
• Long‑term/Short‑term Disability
• Paid Parental Leave
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Schedule

We believe hybrid work is the way forward as we strive to provide flexibility wherever possible. Based on this role’s business requirements, this is a hybrid position requiring 2-3 days a week in a client or Cognizant office in Phoenix, AZ. Regardless of your working arrangement, we are here to support a healthy work-life balance though our various wellbeing programs.