Backend Java Developer – Data Fabric / Platform Engineering

NextWave Consulting Ltd; Greater London; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading consulting firm is looking for a Backend Java Developer specializing in Data Fabric and Platform Engineering. The role involves building core backend services in Java and implementing deterministic policy engines for data governance. Ideal candidates will have strong Java and SQL expertise along with experience in Docker and CI/CD. This position is hybrid based in London and offers a competitive salary ranging from £70,000 to £90,000, dependent on experience.

Qualifications

• Strong hands-on experience in Java (17/21) + Spring.
• Deep understanding of JDBC, SQL parsing/validation, query planning/optimization.
• Production-grade testing using JUnit 5, Mockito.

Responsibilities

• Build core backend services in Java for access control and query manipulation.
• Implement deterministic policy/rule engines for data governance.
• Integrate with distributed data platforms/query engines.

Skills

Java (17/21)

Spring

SQL parsing/validation

Production-grade testing with JUnit 5

Docker

Jenkins

Clean architecture

Tools

Maven

Apache Calcite

Job description

Backend Java Developer – Data Fabric / Platform Engineering

Location: London (Hybrid)
Employment: Permanent
Salary: £70,000 – £90,000 base (dependent on experience)

If your idea of backend engineering is more than CRUD APIs and microservices boilerplate — this role is for you.

We’re building the core backend services of a Data Fabric platform that governs data access, entitlements, and query policy enforcement across distributed enterprise data systems.
This is platform engineering: deterministic rule engines, SQL planning/interception, and high-throughput services that sit on the critical path of data access.

This is deep backend + data infrastructure work.

🚀 What You’ll Do

• Build core backend services in Java (17/21) for access control and query manipulation
• Implement deterministic policy / rule engines for data governance
• Work on SQL parsing, planning, validation, and transformation (e.g., Calcite or similar planners)
• Integrate with distributed data platforms / query engines (e.g., Starburst or similar)
• Own API contracts with living documentation in CI/CD
• Build production-grade, testable pipelines
• Drive observability, reliability, and performance
• Contribute to architecture decisions (modularity, DI, extensibility)

What You Bring (Must-Have)

• Strong hands-on experience in Java (17/21) + Spring
• Deep understanding of JDBC, SQL parsing/validation, query planning/optimization
• Experience with SQL planners or query transformation layers
• Strong grounding in data structures, algorithms, and backend performance
• Production-grade testing using JUnit 5, Mockito
• Experience with clean architecture, DI, modular design
• Comfortable owning CI/CD, code quality, observability
• Familiarity with Docker, Maven, Jenkins

⭐ Nice to Have

• Apache Calcite
• Starburst or federated query engines
• JVM performance tuning
• High-throughput service interfaces (REST/gRPC)
• Data governance or policy enforcement layers

👥 This Role Is Ideal If You’ve Worked On

• Data platforms, governance layers, query engines, or SQL planners
• Backend/platform services that sit in the critical path of data access
• Systems where correctness, determinism, and performance matter