Java Lead Software Engineer - Kafka

JPMorgan Chase; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 138,000 - 185,000; Full time

Job summary

JPMorganChase, within the Commercial & Investment Bank - Payment Platform team in Chicago, is seeking a Lead Software Engineer who will contribute as a core technical member to build, improve, and deliver scalable, secure software solutions.

You will lead a team of engineers from junior to mid levels, drive architecture and design, and advance AI-assisted development practices, while ensuring code quality, testing, and operational stability.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of software engineering experience.
• Experience leading teams using AI-assisted development tools.
• Strong understanding of secure, resiliency-focused engineering practices.
• Hands-on experience in system design, development, testing, and operations.
• Proficient across the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC).
• Proficient in Java, REST, and microservices, with Kafka experience.
• Experience with Spring Framework, Spring Boot, and cloud infrastructure.

Responsibilities

• Execute creative software solutions and troubleshoot complex issues.
• Lead and inspire a team of engineers across levels.
• Oversee architecture and design for scalable, high-quality software.
• Produce design artifacts and ensure constraints are met in development.
• Analyze large datasets to support product improvements and reporting.
• Identify and automate remediation for recurring issues to improve stability.
• Lead architecture discussions with vendors and internal teams on best-fit solutions.
• Foster communities of practice and promote adoption of leading-edge technologies.
• Drive AI-assisted engineering practices to improve code quality and delivery speed.

Skills

Team leadership

CI/CD

Secure coding

Java

REST

Microservices

Kafka

Spring Framework

Spring Boot

Cloud infrastructure

AI-assisted development

Education

Formal training/certification in Software Engineering

Tools

Docker

Kubernetes

ECS

Job description

We have an opportunity to impact your career and provide an adventure where you can push the limits of what's possible.

As a Lead Software Engineer at JPMorganChase within the Commercial & Investment Bank - Payment Platform team, you are an integral part of an agile team that works to enhance, build, and deliver trusted market-leading technology products in a secure, stable, and scalable way. As a core technical contributor, you are responsible for conducting critical technology solutions across multiple technical areas within various business functions in support of the firm's business objectives.

Job responsibilities

• Executes creative software solutions, design, development, and technical troubleshooting with ability to think beyond routine or conventional approaches to build solutions or break down technical problems

• Lead and inspire a team of entry-level to mid-level software engineers, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and excellence

• Oversee technical design, architecture, and implementation to ensure high-quality, scalable solutions

• Produce architecture and design artifacts for complex applications, ensuring that design constraints are met during software code development

• Gather, analyze, synthesize, and develop visualizations and reporting from large, diverse data sets to support continuous improvement of software applications and systems

• Identifies opportunities to eliminate or automate remediation of recurring issues to improve overall operational stability of software applications and systems

• Leads evaluation sessions with external vendors, startups, and internal teams to drive outcomes-oriented probing of architectural designs, technical credentials, and applicability for use within existing systems and information architecture

• Leads communities of practice across Software Engineering to drive awareness and use of new and leading-edge technologies

• Drives team adoption of enterprise-authorized AI-assisted engineering practices within the work environment to improve code quality, delivery speed, and operational outcomes (e.g., AI-assisted code review/refactoring, test strategy acceleration, incident/root-cause analysis support), while establishing consistent validation standards (secure coding, peer review, automated testing) and promoting reuse of effective patterns across the team

• Applies knowledge of tools within the Software Development Life Cycle toolchain, including enterprise-authorized AI-assisted development and automation capabilities, to improve the value realized by automation

Required qualifications, capabilities, and skills

• Formal training or certification on Software Engineering concepts and 8+ years applied experience

• Demonstrated experience leading effective use of approved AI-assisted software development tools (e.g., for coding, code review, test acceleration, troubleshooting) with the ability to set team expectations for validating AI outputs for correctness, performance, and security

• Strong understanding of responsible AI use in engineering workflows, including data sensitivity considerations, secure handling of inputs/outputs, and adherence to resiliency and security expectations; experience coaching engineers on safe, compliant adoption within delivery practices

• Hands-on practical experience delivering system design, application development, testing, and operational stability

• Proficient in all aspects of the Software Development Life Cycle

• Advanced understanding of agile methodologies such as CI/CD, Application Resiliency, and Security

• Demonstrated proficiency in software applications and technical processes within a technical discipline (e.g., cloud, artificial intelligence, machine learning, mobile, etc.)

• Ability to tackle design and functionality problems independently with little to no oversight

• Proficiency in Java, REST, and microservices, with experience building event-driven microservices and Kafka streaming

• Experience with Spring Framework, Spring Boot, and public or private cloud infrastructure

• Proven record of providing end-user support with excellent problem-solving abilities

Preferred qualifications, capabilities, and skills

• Exposure to AI - using python, AI, Copilot in VScode/Intellij

• knowledge of Containerization and Container Runtime/Orchestration platforms (Docker/Kubernetes/ECS etc)

• knowledge about messaging - Kafka

• knowledge about Relational/NoSQL databases

JPMorganChase, one of the oldest financial institutions, offers innovative financial solutions to millions of consumers, small businesses and many of the world's most prominent corporate, institutional and government clients under the J.P. Morgan and Chase brands. Our history spans over 200 years and today we are a leader in investment banking, consumer and small business banking, commercial banking, financial transaction processing and asset management.

We offer a competitive total rewards package including base salary determined based on the role, experience, skill set and location. Those in eligible roles may receive commission-based pay and/or discretionary incentive compensation, paid in the form of cash and/or forfeitable equity, awarded in recognition of individual achievements and contributions. We also offer a range of benefits and programs to meet employee needs, based on eligibility. These benefits include comprehensive health care coverage, on-site health and wellness centers, a retirement savings plan, backup childcare, tuition reimbursement, mental health support, financial coaching and more. Additional details about total compensation and benefits will be provided during the hiring process.

We recognize that our people are our strength and the diverse talents they bring to our global workforce are directly linked to our success. We are an equal opportunity employer and place a high value on diversity and inclusion at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of any protected attribute, including race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital or veteran status, pregnancy or disability, or any other basis protected under applicable law. We also make reasonable accommodations for applicants' and employees' religious practices and beliefs, as well as mental health or physical disability needs. Visit our FAQs for more information about requesting an accommodation.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including Disability/Veterans

Base Pay/Salary

Chicago,IL $137,750.00 - $185,000.00 / year