Lead Java Developer

Join a leading financial services firm that is at the forefront of innovation, dedicated to empowering individuals and institutions to achieve their financial goals. This organization is committed to delivering exceptional experiences through cutting-edge technology and a client-centric approach. Aquent Talent is proud to partner with this industry leader to find exceptional talent.

We are seeking a passionate and skilled Lead Java Developer to join a critical core data technology team. This is an unparalleled opportunity to directly shape customer and advisor experiences, driving significant impact by building the next generation of a core client data platform. You will be instrumental in designing, delivering, and supporting sophisticated systems that power segmentation, client preferences, and experiences through event-driven architecture, APIs, batch processing, and eligibility frameworks. Your work will establish resilient and scalable solutions that are crucial for the firm's future capabilities and will delight customers.

What You'll Do:

• Understand business needs, conduct research on potential options, and recommend optimal solutions based on context.
• Identify gaps and mitigate risks related to delivery, scalability, performance, security, compliance, and operational readiness, responding to them or advocating for prioritization.
• Create efficient, easy-to-follow architectural diagrams/documents, develop software codes, and automated test scripts.
• Architect and develop effective solutions that align with the organization's vision.
• Deliver work on time and with high quality.
• Review team's planning to ensure understanding of work breakdown and dependencies when considering sequencing and prioritization.
• Lead and coach a team on engineering excellence and practices.
• Foster a culture of engineering excellence and challenge the status quo.
• Identify gaps in processes and services across environments.
• Cultivate a culture of open feedback that promotes accountability for continuous improvement.
• Facilitate discussions to ensure everyone has an opportunity to share their opinion and be heard, and that discussion outcomes tie to stated goals.
• Support the team on critical production issues.
• Build relationships with adjacent domains and teams.

Must-Have Qualifications:

• 6+ years of experience with Java, 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-Design, Implementation, refactoring, unit testing, regression support, code reviews, scripting/automation, troubleshooting, and documentation-while applying engineering judgment and validation.
• Practical familiarity with AI coding assistants (e.g., GitHub Copilot, Claude Code) is expected.
• 2+ years of experience working with modernized batch solutions (e.g., Spring Batch, Spring Cloud Data Flow).
• 3+ years of experience with modern databases (e.g., PostgreSQL, Aerospike) or relational databases that are cloud compatible.
• 3+ years of experience in cloud deployment in a continuous integration and continuous delivery model (CI/CD).
• 3+ years of experience with continuous build process 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).
• 3+ years of experience in messaging technologies (e.g., RabbitMQ, Kafka).
• Experience in Test Driven Development, QA Automation, and a quality mindset and behaviors.
• Demonstrated ability in solution discovery and crafting designs based on 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 problems creatively.
• Ability to create delivery roadmap/plans and ensure adherence.

Nice-to-Have Qualifications:

• Knowledge of Agile methodology and experience in an Agile working environment.
• Experience in IT Transformations and system modernization initiatives 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).
• Experience in the Financial Services industry.

Please note: This position is available on a W-2 employment basis only and is not open to Corp-to-Corp (C2C) arrangements. The client is also unable to provide employment-based visa sponsorship or transfers for this role.

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About Aquent Talent:

Aquent Talent connects the best talent in marketing, creative, and design with the world's biggest brands.

Our eligible talent get access to amazing benefits like subsidized health, vision, and dental plans, paid sick leave, and retirement plans with a match.

Aquent is an equal-opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics. We're about creating an inclusive environment-one where different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives are valued, and everyone can contribute, grow their careers, and thrive.