Lead Software Engineer (Java / AWS)

Compunnel, Inc.; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Compunnel, Inc. in Chicago is seeking a Lead Software Engineer to provide technical leadership for cloud-native backends using Java, Spring Boot, and AWS.

You will architect scalable distributed systems, mentor engineers, and drive best practices across cloud-native development. Responsibilities include leading Java/AWS development, building microservices, designing REST APIs, and guiding CI/CD and observability initiatives to ensure reliability and performance.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of software engineering experience.
• 3+ years of technical leadership or team lead experience preferred.
• Experience building enterprise‑scale backend applications.
• No degree required.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and development of Java‑based cloud‑native applications on AWS.
• Build scalable microservices using Spring Boot.
• Design and implement RESTful APIs and event‑driven services.
• Architect highly available, fault‑tolerant distributed systems.
• Develop asynchronous messaging solutions using Kafka or similar technologies.
• Design cloud infrastructure leveraging AWS managed services.
• Implement Infrastructure as Code and CI/CD best practices.
• Lead technical design discussions, architecture reviews, and code reviews.
• Improve system observability through logging, metrics, monitoring, and distributed tracing.
• Troubleshoot production issues and optimize application performance.
• Collaborate with Product Owners, Architects, and cross‑functional engineering teams.
• Mentor engineers and establish engineering standards and best practices.

Skills

AWS Cloud Architecture

Java

Spring Boot

Microservices Architecture

REST API Development

OpenAPI / Swagger

SQL & Relational Databases

NoSQL Databases (DynamoDB, MongoDB,-C*

Kafka or Event‑Driven Messaging

CI/CD Pipelines

Cloud‑Native Development

Observability (Logging, Metrics, Trac*

Production Support & Performance Tuni

Job description

JOB SUMMARY

We are seeking an experienced Lead Software Engineer to provide technical leadership in designing and developing cloud-native backend applications using Java, Spring Boot, and AWS. This is a hands‑on engineering role responsible for architecting scalable distributed systems, leading technical decisions, mentoring engineers, and driving best practices across cloud-native application development.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design and development of Java‑based cloud‑native applications on AWS.
• Build scalable microservices using Spring Boot.
• Design and implement RESTful APIs and event‑driven services.
• Architect highly available, fault‑tolerant distributed systems.
• Develop asynchronous messaging solutions using Kafka or similar technologies.
• Design cloud infrastructure leveraging AWS managed services.
• Implement Infrastructure as Code and CI/CD best practices.
• Lead technical design discussions, architecture reviews, and code reviews.
• Improve system observability through logging, metrics, monitoring, and distributed tracing.
• Troubleshoot production issues and optimize application performance.
• Collaborate with Product Owners, Architects, and cross‑functional engineering teams.
• Mentor engineers and establish engineering standards and best practices.

Required Qualifications

• 10+ years of software engineering experience.
• 3+ years of technical leadership or team lead experience preferred.
• Strong experience building enterprise‑scale backend applications.
• No degree required.

Required Technical Skills

• AWS Cloud Architecture
• Java (Advanced) and/or Kotlin
• Spring Boot
• Microservices Architecture
• REST API Development
• OpenAPI / Swagger
• SQL & Relational Databases
• NoSQL Databases (DynamoDB, MongoDB, Cassandra)
• Kafka or Event‑Driven Messaging
• CI/CD Pipelines
• Build & Deployment AutomationDistributed Systems
• Cloud‑Native Development
• Observability (Logging, Metrics, Tracing)
• Production Support & Performance Tuning

Preferred Qualifications

• Designing highly available distributed systems.
• Infrastructure as Code.
• Event‑driven architecture.
• Cloud‑native application modernization.
• Technical architecture and solution design.
• Agile/Scrum development environment.

Soft Skills

• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
• Strong technical leadership and ownership.
• Analytical problem‑solving abilities.
• Ability to mentor engineers and drive architectural decisions.
• Comfortable working in Agile teams.
• Ability to balance technical excellence with business priorities.

Typical Work Breakdown

• 45–55% Hands‑on Java/AWS development
• 15–20% Production support and troubleshooting
• 15–20% Code reviews and technical design
• 5–10% Cross‑team technical collaboration
• 5–10% Agile ceremonies and sprint activities

What You'll Be Working On

You’ll help design and build mission‑critical cloud-native backend platforms that power enterprise applications. This role offers the opportunity to influence architecture, establish engineering standards, and develop scalable, secure, and highly available systems using modern AWS technologies.

Top Skills

• AWS Cloud Architecture
• Java & Spring Boot
• Microservices & Distributed Systems

Must‑Have Keywords

• Java, AWS, Spring Boot, Microservices, REST APIs, Kafka, SQL, DynamoDB, MongoDB, Cassandra, CI/CD, Cloud Native, Distributed Systems, OpenAPI, Swagger, Event‑Driven Architecture, Observability, Logging, Metrics, Tracing, Infrastructure as Code, Production Support, Performance Tuning, Agile, Technical Leadership.