IT Software Engineer 5 / Lead Java Backend Developer

3Core Systems, Inc; Chicago, Northern (IL, KY); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Part time

Job summary

3Core Systems, Inc. is seeking an IT Software Engineer 5 / Lead Java Backend Developer to lead a team building scalable cloud-native applications on AWS. The role is based in Chicago with potential for 100% remote work, though travel is expected when required.

The ideal candidate has 10+ years of software engineering experience, with at least 5 years in a lead role, and strong skills in Java, Spring Boot, microservices, REST APIs, and AWS services.

Qualifications

• 10+ years’ experience in software engineering with at least 5 years in a lead role.
• Proficiency in Java, Spring Boot and building microservices with REST APIs.
• Experience delivering cloud-native applications on AWS and modern DevOps practices.

Responsibilities

• Leads software engineers to deliver business-critical cloud-native applications.
• Defines technical direction and architectural standards.
• Drives AWS cloud adoption and modernization initiatives.
• Ensures solutions are scalable, secure, and high performing.
• Promotes DevOps practices, CI/CD, automation, and AI-assisted development.
• Supports incident resolution and continuous improvement.

Skills

Java

Spring Boot

Microservices

REST APIs

AWS

OpenSearch

Docker

CI/CD

GitHub

Distributed Systems

Cloud Architecture

Observability

DevOps

Infrastructure as Code

SQL/NoSQL

Event-Driven Architecture

API Integration

Performance Optimization

AI-assisted Development Tools

Tools

AWS (ECS/Fargate)

OpenSearch/Elasticsearch

Docker

CI/CD

GitHub

CloudWatch

Job description

Chicago, United States | Posted on 09/02/2026

Job Title: IT Software Engineer 5 / Lead Java Backend Developer

Location: Chicago, IL preferred but the role can be 100% remote butthere will be travel involved when needed.

Duration: 12 months contract.

Position’s Contributions to Work Group:

• Provides technicalleadership and delivery ownership for a team of software engineers building andoperating scalable cloud-native applications on AWS.
• Drives architecturedecisions, engineering best practices, and solution design across Spring Bootmicroservices, OpenSearch platforms, CI/CD, observability and AWSinfrastructure.
• Collaborates withproduct, architecture, and platform teams to deliver secure, resilient, andhigh-performing solutions while mentoring engineers, improving developmentprocesses, and ensuring successful execution of business objectives.

Typical task breakdown:

• Leads softwareengineers in delivering business-critical applications.
• Establishestechnical direction and architectural standards.
• Drives AWS cloudadoption and modernization initiatives.
• Ensures solutionscalability, performance, security, and reliability.
• Promotes DevOps,CI/CD, automation, and AI-assisted development practices.
• Supports incidentresolution, operational excellence, and continuous improvement.

Interaction with team:

• Mentors’ engineersand develop technical talent.
• Partners with ProductOwners, Architects, and stakeholders to align technology investments withbusiness goals.

Education & Experience Required:

• 10+ years’experience in this capacity with 5+ years in a lead role.

Required Technical Skills:

• Java (latest would be ideal), Spring Boot, Microservices, REST APIs,AWS (ECS/Fargate, IAM, ALB, RDS, CloudWatch, Secrets Manager),OpenSearch/Elasticsearch, Docker, CI/CD, GitHub, Distributed Systems, CloudArchitecture, Observability, DevOps, Infrastructure as Code, SQL/NoSQLdatabases, Event-Driven Architecture, API Integration, PerformanceOptimization, and AI-assisted Development Tools.

Soft Skills:

• Strong technical leadership, communication, stakeholder management,mentoring and coaching, collaboration, problem solving, critical thinking,decision making, ownership, conflict resolution, adaptability, and the abilityto influence cross-functional teams while driving successful delivery ofcomplex cloud-native solutions.