Java Lead Software Engineer - Kafka

Next Frontier Capital; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

JPMorganChase is seeking a Lead Software Engineer to join the Commercial & Investment Bank’s Payment Platform team. You will be a core technical contributor, driving secure, scalable solutions across multiple functions and serving as a senior mentor for engineers.

The role emphasizes architecture leadership, end-to-end delivery, and collaboration with cross-functional teams to advance market-leading technology platforms with resilient operations.

Qualifications

• Formal training or certification on Software Engineering concepts and 8+ years applied experience.
• Strong experience leading AI-assisted software development tools and ensuring correct, secure outputs.

Responsibilities

• Executes creative software solutions, design, development, and technical troubleshooting with ability to think beyond routine approaches.
• Lead and inspire a team of engineers, fostering collaboration and excellence.
• Oversee design, architecture, and implementation for high‑quality, scalable solutions.
• Produce architecture/design artifacts ensuring design constraints are met.
• Analyze data to support continuous improvement of software applications.
• Identify opportunities to automate remediation for stability.
• Lead evaluation sessions with external vendors and internal teams.

Skills

Java

REST APIs

Microservices

Kafka streaming

Spring Framework

Education

Software Engineering degree

Tools

Docker

Kubernetes

CI/CD tools

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

J.P. Morgan’s Commercial & Investment Bank is a global leader across banking, markets, securities services and payments. Corporations, governments and institutions throughout the world entrust us with their business in more than 100 countries. The Commercial & Investment Bank provides strategic advice, raises capital, manages risk and extends liquidity in markets around the world. Carry out critical tech solutions across multiple technical areas as an integral part of an agile team.