Software Engineer (AD5) ref. eu-LISA/26/TA/AD5/17.1

eu-LISA; Strasbourg; Hybrid; EUR 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

eu-LISA, the European Union Agency for the Operational Management of Large-Scale IT Systems, invites applications for a Senior Software Engineer in Strasbourg. You will lead Java backend development within distributed, microservices‑oriented environments, guiding teams and contractors across the SDLC.

The role combines hands-on coding with technical leadership and architecture concerns. Hybrid work arrangements apply with a requirement for permanent relocation to Strasbourg.

Qualifications

• Extensive professional experience leading software development teams.
• Proven Java backend development across the SDLC.
• Experience with GitHub, Spring Boot, gRPC, Kafka and PostgreSQL.
• University degree in ICT/CS or related field.

Responsibilities

• Analyse business, functional and technical requirements and translate them into technical solutions and software designs.
• Design, develop and maintain Java-based backend applications and services in distributed and microservices environments.
• Act as a technical lead for software development activities, mentoring and oversight to teams and external contractors.
• Design and implement APIs, event-driven architectures and messaging for highly available services.
• Promote SDLC best practices across the lifecycle (design, develop, test, deploy, maintain).
• Review technical solutions and code for quality, security, and performance.
• Collaborate with architects, stakeholders, project managers and infrastructure teams.

Skills

Java backend development

Technical leadership

Distributed systems

SDLC experience

Microservices

Education

Completed university studies

Degree in ICT/Computer Science

Tools

GitHub

Spring Boot

gRPC

Kafka

PostgreSQL

Job description

VACANCY NOTICE – Software Engineer (AD5) ref. eu-LISA/26/TA/AD5/17.1

Unit and Department: Software Development Sector / Technology and Software Engineering Unit

Contract Duration: Initial contract of 5 years subject to renewal

Function Group/Grade: AD5 (Temporary Staff)

Place of Employment: Strasbourg (France)

Working model: Hybrid working arrangements – Permanent relocation required

Level of Security Clearance: SECRET UE/EU SECRET

Deadline for Application: 30 November 2026 12:59 pm Tallinn time / 11:59 am Strasbourg time

Validity of the Reserve List: 31 December 2029

About the Agency

We are eu-LISA, the European Union Agency for the Operational Management of Large-Scale IT Systems in the Area of Freedom, Security and Justice. We help implement the European Union’s policies by designing, developing, and operating large-scale information systems in internal security, border management, and judicial cooperation. Our teams develop and manage the technological architecture of the Schengen area and the EU justice domain. By equipping law enforcement and border management operators and juridical practitioners with cutting-edge technological infrastructure, we help ensure security and justice for citizens. With a workforce of more than 24 nationalities, eu-LISA embraces an international work environment and values collaboration among colleagues from diverse backgrounds. Join us to become part of our organisational culture that fosters inclusivity and diversity. Our belief is 'Together as one, we are making it happen'. We want our people to feel respected, valued and empowered. Please visit our website and discover more about eu-LISA’s core activities.

About the Role

In this role, you will act as a Senior Software Engineer with strong Java backend development expertise, combining hands‑on technical contribution with technical leadership responsibilities. You will contribute to the design and implementation of complex distributed systems while providing guidance to software development teams and contractors. The position requires solid experience across the full Software Development Life Cycle and the ability to operate effectively at the intersection of software architecture and software development, ensuring that architectural concepts are translated into practical, scalable and maintainable solutions.

Responsibilities

• Analyse business, functional and technical requirements and translate them into technical solutions and software designs.
• Design, develop and maintain Java-based backend applications and services within distributed and microservices‑oriented environments.
• Act as a technical lead for software development activities, providing guidance, mentoring and technical oversight to development teams and external contractors.
• Design and implement APIs, event‑driven architectures and messaging solutions supporting highly available and mission‑critical services.
• Promote software engineering best practices across the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC), including design, development, testing, deployment and maintenance.
• Review technical solutions, software designs and code to ensure compliance with quality, security, performance and scalability requirements.
• Collaborate with architects, business stakeholders, project managers and infrastructure teams, while supporting the resolution of complex technical issues and evaluating emerging technologies.

Eligibility criteria

To be eligible for recruitment and selection, you need to meet the following formal criteria, which need to be fulfilled by the deadline for application:

General conditions

• You are national of one of the EU Member States or Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, or Switzerland and you enjoy full rights as a citizen.
• You produce the appropriate character requirements for the duties involved.
• You are physically fit to perform your duties.
• You have fulfilled any obligations imposed on you by the laws concerning military service.

Education

• You have a level of education which corresponds to completed university studies attested by a diploma provided that the normal period of university education is three years or more

* Only qualifications awarded in an EU Member State or that are subject to an equivalence certificate issued by an authority in a said EU Member State shall be taken into consideration.

Language

• You have a thorough knowledge (C1 level) of one of the 24 EU official languages and a satisfactory knowledge (B2 level) of another EU official language for the performance of your duties.

Selection criteria

eu-LISA aims to establish a reserve list from which to source the best talent. The suitability of candidates will be assessed during different stages of the selection procedure against the following criteria:

Professional experience and knowledge

• Extensive professional experience with the duties mentioned under Section “About the Job”;
• Experience providing technical leadership to software development teams and / or external contractors, including coordination, mentoring and oversight of technical deliverables;
• Proven professional experience in Java backend software development, including the design, development and maintenance of enterprise-level applications and services involving the following technologies: GitHub, Spring Boot, gRPC, Kafka and PostgreSQL;
• Demonstrated experience across the full Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC), including requirements analysis, solution design, development, testing, deployment and maintenance;

Education

• A university degree in Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Informatics, or a related technical discipline such as Mathematics, Physics, Engineering, or a comparable field.
• Ability to act upon eu-LISA’svaluesand guiding principles (We get the job done - We take ownership - We are all role models - We act together as one).
• Ability to work effectively and independently in a fast‑paced environment and manage multiple priorities;
• Ability to analyse and resolve complex technical challenges.

Language

• Strong drafting and communication skills in English, both orally and in writing, at least at the C1 level.

Advantageous

• Experience with cloud environments (such as Microsoft Azure) and/or containerisation, preferably Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform – OCP.