Backend Developer - Senior

Socket.dev; Washington; On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Socket.dev is seeking a Java Developer to design and build cloud-native backend services. You will lead the development of microservices using Java/Spring Boot, REST/JSON APIs, and AWS, while mentoring peers and driving architectural excellence.

The role emphasizes API design, secure coding, and automated testing in a GitHub-based CI/CD environment, with a focus on scalable, reliable systems and AI-assisted development to improve delivery outcomes.

Qualifications

• Strong Java backend experience with Spring and JPA/Hibernate.
• Experience with AWS services and message broker technologies.
• Leading API design and documentation; owning security patterns.
• Knowledge of OWASP principles and authentication/authorization patterns.
• Ability to define and drive testing strategy across unit, integration, and automated tests.
• Proficient SQL with DDL/DML and reading stored procedures.
• Experience with GitHub-based CI/CD and containerization (Docker/Kubernetes).

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and implementation of scalable backend services.
• Champion AI-assisted development to accelerate delivery and code quality.
• Drive architectural improvements and incident response ownership.
• Mentor team members and promote best practices across development teams.

Skills

Java backend

Spring Boot

JPA/Hibernate

Microservices

AWS

API design

Security

OWASP

CI/CD

Docker

Kubernetes

SQL/RDBMS

Tools

Postman

OWASP ZAP

JMeter

CloudWatch

Splunk

PostgreSQL

RDS/Aurora

JIRA

Confluence

Job description

Java Developer with extensive experience developing cloud-native, microservices-

based applications using Java/Spring Boot, REST/JSON APIs, and AWS. Leads the

design, development, and implementation of scalable backend services to support

business requirements. Follows Agile methodologies and drives engineering excellence

through architectural ownership, mentoring, and continuous improvement of

development practices. Champions AI-assisted development to accelerate delivery and

improve code quality.

Required Skills

• Strong Java backend experience with Spring, Spring Boot, JPA/Hibernate, and
• microservices/event-driven architecture
• Experience with AWS services and message broker technologies
• Experience leading API design and documentation standards; owning security
• design reviews with strong knowledge of OWASP principles and
• authentication/authorization patterns
• Experience defining and driving testing strategy across unit, integration, and
• automated testing
• Proficiency in SQL with working knowledge of relational database concepts
• including DDL, DML, and reading/understanding stored procedures
• Experience working in a GitHub-based CI/CD environment with hands-on
• experience in containerized application packaging and deployment using Docker
• and Kubernetes
• Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to drive architectural improvements,
• lead production incident response, and own technical specifications and design
• documentation
• Ability to ability AI-assisted development tools across the team; drives adoption
• where it improves outcomes, mentors others, and stays current on emerging
• technologies and their application to existing systems

Preferred Skills

• Experience with API, security, and performance testing tools such as Postman, OWASP ZAP, and JMeter
• Experience with observability tooling — structured logging, monitoring, and
• alerting using CloudWatch, AppDynamics, and/or Splunk
• Experience with PostgreSQL and/or cloud-managed databases (RDS, Aurora)
• Experience with Agile/SAFe methodologies and tools such as JIRA and Confluence
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills; experience with modern JavaScript frameworks (React, Angular, Ember) is a plus for full-stack collaboration.