Java/Kotlin AI Backend Engineer (m/f/d) – Build Intelligent Products

talentsconnect AG; Köln; Remote; EUR 60.000 - 90.000; Vollzeit

Zusammenfassung

A leading company in HR transformation seeks an AI Backend Engineer to develop systems that integrate AI capabilities into their products. This remote-first role involves utilizing Java and Kotlin, and participating in innovative solutions for smarter hiring and onboarding processes. Join a diverse team focused on impactful engineering and personal growth.

Leistungen

Remote-first work

Virtual Shares Program

Support for professional development

Flexible hours

In-person gatherings

Qualifikationen

• Experience with backend systems using Java and Kotlin.
• Familiarity with AI integration and prompt design.
• Participation in architectural discussions and delivery leadership for AI features.

Aufgaben

• Build and maintain backend services across the full development lifecycle.
• Integrate AI-powered product features and participate in CI/CD practices.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver robust solutions.

Kenntnisse

AI Tooling

Backend Development

Problem Solving

Collaboration

Tools

Java

Kotlin

AWS

Jobbeschreibung

We believe people find their best-fit job when HR teams are empowered with the right tools. At talentsconnect, we help companies transform HR from a cost center into a strategic value driver—with a platform that supports smarter hiring, onboarding, and retention.

We’re remote-first, async-friendly, and focused on real impact. Our teams value learning, ownership, and collaboration across diverse experiences. If you’re excited to build scalable backend systems—and apply AI not just in how you code, but in what you build —we’d love to hear from you.

What you’ll do

As an AI Backend Engineer , you’ll join one of our cross-functional squads, where you’ll help design and deliver backend systems that power AI-driven products used by companies and candidates across Europe. Our systems are built with Java and Kotlin , hosted in the cloud (AWS), and delivered through a modern DevOps toolchain.

In this role, we’re looking for someone who brings curiosity, a problem-solving mindset, and a drive to build systems that integrate and apply AI in meaningful ways. You enjoy learning, exploring better ways of doing things, and contributing to a culture where everyone helps make our systems and processes smarter and more valuable. You'll work across the full development lifecycle—from shaping AI-powered product capabilities to deploying them into production—while continuously improving our system architecture, development practices, and team workflows using AI-enhanced tooling.

You will :

• Build and maintain backend services in Java 17 or 21 and / or Kotlin , working across the full development lifecycle
• Integrate and build AI-powered product features (e.g., LLM workflows, intelligent automation, classification pipelines)
• Participate in trunk-based development and contribute to our automated testing and CI / CD practices
• Work in a team alongside frontend developers, product managers, QA, and agile coaches
• Write and maintain tests (unit, integration, contract) to ensure system correctness
• Review peer code and improve team practices
• Help us evolve our platform into a more intelligent system

Who we’re looking for

We’re aiming to grow our team with engineers who are not only comfortable delivering backend systems but are also excited about influencing how our platform uses AI to solve meaningful problems. This is a great role for someone with experience who wants to influence system design and lead AI-powered feature development, while also collaborating closely with teammates. Whether you’ve grown into system ownership through years of experience, entrepreneurial work, or deep specialization—we’d love to hear from you. You don’t need to check every box to apply. Nobody checks every box, and we warmly welcome applications from people of all backgrounds—especially if you're underrepresented in tech.

Some Skills and Experiences that will help you succeed

• You're comfortable going beyond AI tooling to design systems that leverage AI meaningfully
• You’re comfortable building with LLMs, prompt design, embeddings, or integrating AI services into customer workflows
• You constantly ask : “Could AI solve this better?”
• You’ve contributed to, or are ready to step into, architectural conversations and delivery leadership for AI-related features.

How You Work

• You take ownership of outcomes, not just tickets
• You contribute to delivery speed, quality, and clarity across your team
• You thrive in async, remote collaboration and document your thinking well
• Languages : Java, Kotlin, PHP
• Delivery : Trunk-based development, Feature Flags, CI / CD
• AI tooling : Windsurf, Cursor, Claude and more
• Learn more about our tools and technologies at our Tech Radar : https : / / tech.talentsconnect.com

What we offer

• Remote-first work (within Germany) , with flexible hours
• In-person gatherings ~5x / year in Cologne for team connection and celebration
• A team that values different working styles, learning paths, and personal situations
• Virtual Shares Program (VSOP) with flexible participation options
• Support for professional development , from AI upskilling to mentorship and career coaching
• A culture of ownership—where you can contribute ideas and shape how we work, together

Inclusive by design

We know that great teams are diverse across many dimensions : gender, age, nationality, ethnicity, disability, LGBTQIA+ identity, neurodiversity, career path, and more. We encourage you to apply even if you're not sure you meet every requirement. If you believe you could grow into this role, we want to hear from you. We believe seniority comes in many forms—through leadership, deep technical ownership, mentoring, or lived experience across domains. If you see your strengths fitting into our team’s mission, please reach out.

If you have any access needs or need support through the application process, just let us know—we’re happy to help.

Important

• This role is open to candidates based in Germany
• Unfortunately, we are not able to sponsor visas at this time

We are looking forward to your application!