Java Technical Lead

Sysco Corporation; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Sysco Corporation seeks a senior software leader to own end-to-end Java backend delivery for mission-critical systems. You will guide a distributed team, design scalable architectures, and ensure secure, high-performance solutions across core business ops.

You’ll mentor engineers, drive CI/CD with modern tooling, and collaborate with product, UX, QA, and DevOps to meet enterprise goals while advancing technical excellence and customer value.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or equivalent experience.
• 5–8 years in full-stack software development, with at least 2 years in a dev-focused leadership role.
• 8+ years Java development experience in high-volume backend systems.
• Strong Java, Spring Framework, microservices, and database design.
• RESTful API design, Kafka, and cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, Azure).
• Experience with React and full-stack development.
• Experience with distributed teams and cross-time-zone delivery.

Responsibilities

• Drives technical priorities and owns end-to-end delivery and support for Java-based backend solutions used in core business operations.
• Leads agile development activities for Java platforms, including the design and implementation of architectures, patterns, and security practices.
• Provides hands-on technical leadership guiding backend development for scalable data processing and API performance.
• Oversees project timelines, resource allocation, and team performance to ensure successful delivery.
• Mentors engineers across distributed teams and conducts code reviews to foster continuous learning.
• Coordinates cross-team dependencies across Product, UX, QA, and Backend teams for scalable outcomes.
• Engages with Enterprise Architecture, DevOps, and operations to ensure CI/CD for backend services (Git, Jenkins, test automation).
• Facilitates estimation of work items and aligns with business goals.

Skills

Java

Spring Boot

Microservices

RESTful APIs

CI/CD

Agile

React

Kafka

Cloud Platforms

Distributed Systems

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or equivalent

Tools

Git

Jenkins

JUnit

Mockito

SQL/NoSQL databases

Job description

Company:
US6469 Sysco Payroll, Division of Sysco Resources Services, LLC

Sales Territory:
None

Zip Code:
77077

Travel Percentage:
0

COMPENSATION INFORMATION:

The pay range provided is not indicative of Sysco’s actual pay range but is merely algorithmic and provided for generalized comparison. Factors that may be used to determine rate of pay include specific skills, work location, work experience and other individualized factors

Job Summary

Fluent across the full technology stack with specialized expertise in Java development; owns delivery and support responsibility for a product or platform team, with a focus on building enterprise-grade, high-performing server-side solutions. Drives technical priorities and supports delivery efforts through advisory, coaching, and hands-on execution. Leads a distributed team of software engineers, providing mentorship and ensuring technical excellence. Develops and leads people with a focus on skills, quality delivery, and customer alignment. Regularly engages with internal and external stakeholders to ensure delivery of robust, scalable, and reliable applications tailored for mission-critical, high-volume environments.

Responsibilities

• Drives technical priorities and owns end-to-end delivery and support for Java-based backend solutions used in core business operations.
• Leads agile development activities for Java platforms, including the design and implementation of best-in-class architectures, patterns, and security practices.
• Provides hands-on technical leadership by guiding backend development with a focus on scalable data processing, high availability, and API performance.
• Accountable for overseeing project timelines, resource allocation, and team performance to ensure successful delivery.
• Mentors and technically guides engineers across geographically distributed teams across geographies, conducts code reviews and fosters a culture of continuous improvement and learning.
• Coordinates cross-team dependencies and collaborates across Product, UX, QA, and Backend teams to ensure scalable and reliable outcomes.
• Engages with enterprise architecture, DevOps, and operational teams to ensure seamless integration and CI/CD pipelines for backend services (using tools such as Git, Jenkins, and test automation).
• Facilitates estimation of work items, ensures alignment with business goals, and incorporates diverse perspectives in planning and delivery.
• Ensures compliance with agile, DevOps, and security best practices while driving technical innovation through evaluation of emerging Java and backend technologies.
• Partners with stakeholders to align technical deliverables with business needs, ensuring solutions contribute to operational efficiency and KPIs.
• Maintains production readiness via automated testing, monitoring, and support strategies; utilizes frameworks such as JUnit and Mockito.
• Demonstrates ability to gather domain knowledge in logistics operations and apply it to Java backend solution design.
• Creates and manages delivery timelines, ensures environments and teams are scoped effectively, and supports high-stakes production deployments.
• Maintains composure and analytical perspective during technical escalations and leads crisis resolution when necessary.
• Uses data and metrics to support business planning, staffing, and risk mitigation decisions.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or equivalent work experience.
• 5-8 years of experience in full-stack software development, including a minimum of 2 years in a dev-focused leadership role.
• 8 years of Java development experience, building high-volume backend applications in logistics, or field service industries.
• Strong experience with Java and the Spring Framework (especially Spring Boot), microservices architecture, and database design (SQL and NoSQL).
• Proven experience in RESTful API design and development, asynchronous messaging (e.g., Kafka), and cloud platforms (AWS, Google Cloud Platform, Azure).
• Proven experience with event-driven architecture.
• Demonstrated proficiency in Agile methodologies and CI/CD best practices.
• Experience with full-stack development, including front-end frameworks like React.
• Experience working with distributed teams and managing cross-time-zone delivery.

Competencies

• Demonstrated an "agile-development" mindset with strong customer focus and results orientation.
• Deep hands-on expertise in Java system architecture, performance optimization, and distributed system design.
• Strong technical and analytical skills to identify problems, architect solutions, and drive technical strategy.
• Full-stack knowledge to guide both front-end (e.g., React) and back-end development.
• Demonstrated competence in designing and implementing event-driven architectures.
• Excellent communication and leadership skills to manage stakeholder relationships and foster team growth.
• Passion for continuous improvement, innovation, and staying current with Java and backend tech trends.
• Experience with Python is a plus and a polyglot mindset is highly valued.
• Understanding of and passion for emerging technologies, including Generative AI.

BENEFITS INFORMATION:
For information on Sysco’s Benefits, please visit ;br

OVERVIEW:

Sysco is the global leader in foodservice distribution. With over 71,000 colleagues and a fleet of over 13,000 vehicles, Sysco operates approximately 333 distribution facilities worldwide and serves more than 700,000 customer locations.

We offer our colleagues the opportunity to grow personally and professionally, to contribute to the success of a dynamic organization, and to serve others in a manner that exceeds their expectations. We’re looking for talented, hard-working individuals to join our team. Come grow with us and let us show you why Sysco is at the heart of food and service.

AFFIRMATIVE ACTION STATEMENT:

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States.

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity and Affiantive Action employer, and consider qualified applicants without regard to race, color, creed, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, veteran status or any other protected factor under federal, state or local law.

This opportunity is available through Sysco Corporation, its subsidiaries and affiliates.