Software Engineer III - Enterprise Architecture

American Express; Brighton; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading financial services company in Brighton is seeking a Backend Software Engineer with expertise in Java and AWS. You will develop and maintain backend services, design microservices, and collaborate with DevOps. The ideal candidate has strong experience with API security, containerization, and observability tools. This position offers a competitive salary and benefits, along with a hybrid working model.

Benefits

Competitive base salaries

Bonus incentives

Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and disability benefits

Flexible working model with hybrid, onsite or virtual arrangements

Generous paid parental leave policies

Access to global wellness centers

Confidential counseling support

Career development and training opportunities

Qualifications

• Strong experience in backend development with Java and the Spring framework.
• Experience with microservices architecture and AWS services, including EC2.
• Proficiency in containerization (Docker) and deployment strategies.
• Experience with observability tools such as Micrometer and monitoring metrics with AWS CloudWatch or OpenSearch.
• Understanding of API security best practices (e.g., OAuth, JWT, basic auth, API keys).
• Experience with infrastructure as code (Terraform, CloudFormation).
• Strong problem-solving skills and a collaborative mindset.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain backend services using Java and Spring.
• Design, build, and maintain microservices focusing on scalability and security.
• Collaborate with DevOps to optimize application deployment.
• Implement observability tools to monitor metrics.
• Assist in streamlining the infrastructure updates pipeline.

Skills

Backend development with Java

Microservices architecture

AWS services

Containerization (Docker)

Observability tools (Micrometer)

API security best practices

Infrastructure as code (Terraform, CloudFormation)

Problem-solving skills

Collaborative mindset

Tools

Java

Spring framework

AWS EC2

AWS ECS

AWS EKS

Terraform

CloudFormation

Job description

At American Express, our culture is built on a 175-year history of innovation, shared values and Leadership Behaviors, and an unwavering commitment to back our customers, communities, and colleagues. As part of Team Amex, you’ll experience this powerful backing with comprehensive support for your holistic well-being and many opportunities to learn new skills, develop as a leader, and grow your career.

Here, your voice and ideas matter, your work makes an impact, and together, you will help us define the future of American Express.

About Enterprise Architecture: Enterprise Architecture is an organization within the Chief Technology Office at American Express and it is a key enabler of the company’s technology strategy. The four pillars of Enterprise Architecture include:

1. Architecture as Code: this pillar owns and operates foundational technologies that are leveraged by engineering teams across the enterprise.

2. Architecture as Design: this pillar includes the solution and technical design for transformation programs and business critical projects which need architectural guidance and support.

3. Governance: this pillar is responsible for defining technical standards, and developing innovative tools that automate controls to ensure compliance.

4. Colleague Enablement: this pillar is focused on colleague development, recognition, training, and enterprise outreach.

How will you make an impact in this role?

Backend Software Engineer with expertise in AWS to help us enhance our microservices architecture, API security, and overall system performance, preferably familiar with American Express engineering practices and policies.

Responsibilities

• Java and Spring Development: Develop and maintain backend services using Java and the Spring framework, ensuring robust, testable, and maintainable code.
• Microservices Development: Design, build, and maintain microservices focusing on scalability, security, and performance, utilizing AWS services like EC2, ECS, and EKS.
• Containerization and Deployment: Collaborate with the DevOps team to optimize containerized application deployment (EC2 vs. ECS vs. EKS vs. Fargate).
• Observability and Metrics: Implement and manage observability tools and frameworks like Micrometer to monitor and send metrics to AWS CloudWatch or OpenSearch.
• Infrastructure Updates: Assist in streamlining our infrastructure updates pipeline, reducing the risk associated with manual executions.

Minimum Qualifications

• Strong experience in backend development with Java and the Spring framework.
• Experience with microservices architecture and AWS services, including EC2.
• Proficiency in containerization (Docker) and deployment strategies.
• Experience with observability tools such as Micrometer and monitoring metrics with AWS CloudWatch or OpenSearch.
• Understanding of API security best practices (e.g., OAuth, JWT, basic auth, API keys).
• Experience with infrastructure as code (Terraform, CloudFormation).
• Strong problem-solving skills and a collaborative mindset.

Preferred Qualifications

• AWS certification(s) such as AWS Certified Developer or AWS Certified Solutions Architect.
• Experience with CI/CD pipelines and automated testing.
• Familiarity with OpenTelemetry or similar observability frameworks.

Depending on factors such as business unit requirements, the nature of the position, cost and applicable laws, American Express may provide visa sponsorship for certain positions.

Benefits

We back you with benefits that support your holistic well-being so you can be and deliver your best. This means caring for you and your loved ones' physical, financial, and mental health, as well as providing the flexibility you need to thrive personally and professionally:

• Competitive base salaries
• Bonus incentives
• Support for financial-well-being and retirement
• Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and disability benefits (depending on location)
• Flexible working model with hybrid, onsite or virtual arrangements depending on role and business need
• Generous paid parental leave policies (depending on your location)
• Free access to global on-site wellness centers staffed with nurses and doctors (depending on location)
• Free and confidential counseling support through our Healthy Minds program
• Career development and training opportunities

Offer of employment with American Express is conditioned upon the successful completion of a background verification check, subject to applicable laws and regulations.