Backend Engineer – Italia (DRWN)

Darwin Recruitment; Milano; Remote; EUR 55,000 - 96,000; Full time

Job summary

Darwin Recruitment in Milan seeks a mid-level Back-End Developer (Java) for a fully remote, freelance 12-month contract. You will build and maintain back-end services and APIs on a modern Java stack, collaborating with frontend, mobile, and DevOps colleagues.

The role requires strong Java skills, SaaS experience, and professional Italian. Start by 1 January 2027; HR Tech/Fintech exposure is a plus. Remote work is 100% from Europe.

Qualifications

• Mid-level commercial experience as a Java back-end developer.
• Hands-on, recent experience with modern Java (21 or 25), not mainly legacy versions.
• Proven track record building back ends and APIs for web applications.
• Background working on SaaS or web products.
• Writing clean, tested code and taking part in code reviews.

Skills

Java backend

Modern Java (21/25)

API development

SaaS/web apps

Code reviews

Italian language

Tools

AWS

Job description

Back-End Developer (Java) (DRWN)

Job title - Back-End Developer (Java)

Client Location - Milan, Italy

Remote work offering - 100%

Client Industry - HR Tech / Fintech

Contract Length - 12 months (to at least end of 2027, with scope to extend)

Contract type - Freelance

Project focus

You’ll join the Italian engineering team of an established, fast-growing HR Tech / Fintech business whose SaaS platform is used by millions of people across Europe. The role covers building and maintaining the back-end services and APIs behind its web applications on a modern Java stack, working as a fully embedded member of the team alongside front-end, mobile and DevOps colleagues.

Key skills and Experience required

• Mid-level commercial experience as a Java back-end developer
• Hands-on, recent experience with modern Java (21 or 25), not mainly legacy versions
• Proven track record building back ends and APIs for web applications
• Background working on SaaS or web products
• Writing clean, tested code and taking part in code reviews
• Fluent, professional Italian
• AWS experience is a plus
• HR Tech, fintech or payments exposure and AI-assisted development tools are a bonus
• Available to start by 1 January 2027