Java Lead Principal engineer

Movement 8; Remote; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading tech company is looking for a Lead Java engineer to rebuild their core platform. In this remote role, you will own the project from discovery and design to delivery and optimisation using Java, AWS, and MongoDB. The ideal candidate will have strong experience within the Java AWS stack and familiarity with modern software architecture. An immediate start is available following a two-stage interview process.

Qualifications

• Strong experience within the Java AWS stack is essential.
• Experience modernising or replatforming legacy systems is required.
• Familiarity with microservices, CI/CD or serverless architectures is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Own the project entirely from discovery to delivery.
• Work across the stack using Java, React, AWS, MongoDB.
• Refactor and re-engineer core components for better performance.

Skills

Strong experience within the Java AWS stack

Experience modernising or replatforming legacy systems

Familiarity with microservices, CI/CD, or serverless architectures

An interest in building scalable, high-performing distributed systems

Understanding of modern software architecture, design principles and data structures

Practical experience with Java, React, MongoDB and AWS

Curiosity and persistence

Ability to balance autonomy with collaboration

Job description

Java Principal / Lead engineer – Java, AWS, MongoDB, Architecture, design - UK remote, Outside contract

2 month initial plus extension We are working with a business who are rebuilding their core platform from the ground up and are looking for a Lead Java engineer who’s up for a real challenge.

Their system was originally built externally, and they've now brought it fully in-house. So, your mission is to get under the hood, untangle what’s there, and help them design something better — cleaner, faster, and built to scale. Someone with a forensic mind who is then able to get on with the fix. You will understand the architecture and be able to unpin what they have to design and build a better solution.

You’ll work with the Tech Manager, Product Owner, and Solution Architect to modernise the platform and shape the next generation of features.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Own the project entirely, end to end — from discovery and design to delivery and optimisation.
• Work across the stack using Java, React, AWS, MongoDB, and Elasticsearch.
• Refactor and re-engineer core components to make the platform faster, more reliable, and easier to extend.
• Collaborate closely with product and architecture teams.
• Review code, mentor teammates, and bring fresh thinking to the table.
• Write clean, well-documented code that’s built to last.

Experience

• Strong experience within the Java AWS stack
• Experience modernising or replatforming legacy systems.
• Familiarity with microservices, CI/CD, or serverless architectures.
• An interest in building scalable, high-performing distributed systems.
• A great understanding of modern software architecture, design principles and data structures.
• Practical experience with Java, React, MongoDB and AWS
• Curiosity and persistence — you enjoy cracking tough problems and simplifying complexity.
• The ability to balance autonomy with collaboration

If this sounds like you then let me know and we can set up a call.

2 stage interview process completed in the next 2 weeks and immediate start thereafter