Java Backend Lead Developer

Cognizant; Sunnyvale (CA); Hybrid; USD 68,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/Dental/Vision/Life Insurance

Paid holidays plus Paid Time Off

401(k) plan and contributions

Long-term/Short-term Disability

Paid Parental Leave

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Job summary

Cognizant in Sunnyvale, CA seeks a Java Backend Lead Developer to design and deliver scalable, cloud-based backend systems and analytics solutions using Java, Spring, and cloud technologies.

You will provide technical leadership across the software lifecycle, promote cloud-native practices, and ensure production readiness while collaborating with program managers, leads, and developers to translate business needs into reliable solutions.

Qualifications

• 9+ years of software development experience, advanced Java/Spring expertise.
• Designing and developing scalable backend applications for high-volume environments.
• Hands-on experience with Kafka or similar messaging tech.
• Experience deploying applications on a major cloud platform.
• CI/CD pipelines, Kubernetes, and modern deployment practices.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and development of scalable backend applications and analytics solutions.
• Partner with TPMs, tech leads, and stakeholders to evaluate requirements and guide solutions.
• Develop high-quality features with coding standards, unit testing and coverage.
• Provide technical guidance to developers and document specifications and designs.
• Oversee testing, deployment, and production readiness with monitoring and observability.

Skills

Java

Spring

Spring Boot

Spring Data JPA

Kafka

Cloud platforms

CI/CD

Kubernetes

Agile Scrum

Tools

Kafka

Kubernetes

Job description

About the role

As a Java Backend Lead Developer, you will make an impact by designing and delivering scalable, cloud-based applications and analytics solutions using modern Java technologies. You will be a valued member of the engineering team and work collaboratively with technical program managers, technology leads, developers, and other stakeholders to translate business requirements into reliable solutions.

In this role, you will provide technical leadership throughout the software development lifecycle while promoting engineering quality, cloud‑native practices, and successful production delivery.

Work model

This is a hybrid role based on business requirements in Sunnyvale, CA. Regardless of work arrangement, we support a healthy work–life balance through our wellbeing programs.

The working arrangements for this role are accurate as of the date of posting. This may change based on the project you’re engaged in, as well as business and client requirements. Rest assured; we will always be clear about role expectations.

Important Disclaimers:

**Please note: A few of our roles may require in‑person interviews at Cognizant offices or client locations, depending on project or client needs.**

**Candidate must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for employer sponsorship, now or at any time in the future**

In this role, you will:

• Lead the design and development of scalable backend applications and analytics solutions using Java, Spring, Spring Boot, and cloud technologies.


• Partner with technical program managers, technology leads, and business stakeholders to evaluate requirements, recommend solutions, and guide technical conversations.


• Develop high‑quality application features in accordance with established coding standards, including unit testing and project‑defined code coverage requirements.


• Provide technical guidance to developers and support the preparation of functional specifications, technical specifications, service documentation, and solution designs.


• Oversee application testing, deployment, and production readiness, including the implementation of appropriate monitoring and observability solutions.

What you need to have to be considered

• 9+ years of software development experience, with advanced expertise in Java, Spring, Spring Boot, and Spring Data JPA.


• Strong experience designing and developing scalable backend applications, preferably in high-volume or large-scale environments.


• Hands‑on experience with Apache Kafka or another enterprise messaging or queueing technology.


• Experience developing and deploying applications on a major cloud platform.


• Experience with continuous integration and continuous delivery pipelines, Kubernetes, and modern application deployment practices.


• Demonstrated ability to lead technical discussions, guide developers, and collaborate effectively in an Agile Scrum environment.

These will help you stand out

• Hands‑on experience with Microsoft Azure.


• Experience designing or deploying analytics solutions and models on Microsoft Azure or Google Cloud Platform.


• Knowledge of cloud‑native monitoring, application observability, and production support practices.


• Experience documenting service specifications, solution designs, and technical architecture for complex applications.


• Proven success supporting production deployments for large-scale or high-volume applications.

Salary and Other Compensation:

The annual salary for this position is between $68,000 – $130,000 depending on experience and other qualifications of the successful candidate.

This position is also eligible for Cognizant’s discretionary annual incentive program, based on performance and subject to the terms of Cognizant’s applicable plans.

Benefits:

• Medical/Dental/Vision/Life Insurance


• Paid holidays plus Paid Time Off


• 401(k) plan and contributions


• Long‑term/Short‑term Disability


• Paid Parental Leave


• Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Disclaimer:

The salary, other compensation, and benefits information is accurate as of the date of this posting. Cognizant reserves the right to modify this information at any time, subject to applicable law.

The working arrangements for this role are accurate as of the date of posting. This may change based on the project you’re engaged in, as well as business and client requirements. Rest assured; we will always be clear about role expectations.

Applicants may be required to attend interviews in person or by video conference. In addition, candidates may be required to present their current state or government issued ID during each interview.