Principal Engineer/Architect- Node JS and Java-Legacy Code Migration Specialist -REMOTE

Cognizant North America; Durham (NC); Remote; USD 153,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Super Senior Node.js and Java Developer to lead legacy code migration and modernization initiatives. This role demands over 20 years of experience in software development, with a focus on transforming monolithic applications into scalable microservices architectures. The ideal candidate will leverage their expertise in cloud computing, database modernization, and DevOps practices to ensure seamless transitions. Join a forward-thinking team that values technical leadership and innovation, and contribute to projects that redefine the future of technology solutions.

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

Qualifications

• 20+ years in software development focused on Java and Node.js.
• Expertise in legacy system migrations and cloud platforms.
• Strong knowledge of CI/CD and Infrastructure as Code.

Responsibilities

• Lead modernization strategies for legacy applications.
• Migrate to microservices-based cloud-native architectures.
• Provide technical leadership and mentoring to development teams.

Skills

Java (Spring, Hibernate, JPA)

Node.js (Express.js, Nest.js)

Legacy system migrations

Cloud computing (AWS, Azure)

Database modernization

API modernization

DevOps practices

Performance optimization

Tools

Docker

Kubernetes

Jenkins

GitHub Actions

GitLab CI/CD

Terraform

Ansible

CloudFormation

Job description

Job Description: Super Senior(3x) Node.js & Java Developer - Legacy Code Migration Specialist

Looking for Super Senior/Extremely experienced Node.js and Java Developer with more than 20 years of experience specializing in legacy system modernization and migration. The ideal candidate will have deep expertise in Java, Node.js, microservices, cloud computing, and database modernization, with a strong background in migrating monolithic applications to modern architectures. This role requires technical leadership, hands-on expertise, and strategic planning to ensure seamless transitions from legacy systems to scalable, high-performance solutions.

Key Responsibilities:

- Assess, Analyse, and design modernization strategies for legacy NodeJS/Java applications, monolithic architectures, and outdated database systems.

- Lead the migration of legacy applications to microservices-based, cloud-native architectures using Java (Spring Boot, Hibernate) and Node.js (Express/Nest.js).

- Refactor and rewrite legacy codebases to improve scalability, maintainability, and performance.

- Implement automated migration tools, API gateways, and middleware solutions to ensure smooth integration with modern applications.

- Collaborate with business stakeholders, architects, and DevOps teams to define migration roadmaps, ensuring minimal disruption to business operations.

- Enhance legacy systems with event-driven architectures (Pulsar/Kafka) for real-time processing.

- Implement cloud-native solutions on AWS leveraging containerization (Docker, Kubernetes) and serverless technologies.

- Establish CI/CD pipelines, automated testing frameworks, and DevSecOps practices to accelerate modernization efforts.

- Provide technical leadership, mentoring, and best practice guidance to development teams during the transition.

Required Skills and Experience:

- More than 20 years of experience in software development with a strong background in Java (Spring, Hibernate, JPA) and Node.js (Express.js, Nest.js).

- Expertise in legacy system migrations, including monolithic-to-microservices transformations.

- Strong knowledge of cloud computing platforms (AWS, Azure) and serverless computing.

- Hands-on experience in database modernization, schema refactoring, and ETL pipeline development.

- Experience with API modernization, including RESTful APIs, GraphQL, and event-driven patterns.

- Deep understanding of DevOps, CI/CD pipelines (Jenkins, GitHub Actions, GitLab CI/CD), and Infrastructure as Code (Terraform, Ansible, CloudFormation).

- Strong experience in performance optimization, security hardening, and system reliability improvements.

- Proven ability to reverse-engineer complex legacy systems, understand business logic, and design modern replacements.

- Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and stakeholder management skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

- Experience with AI-driven code refactoring tools and automated legacy code analysis.

- Experience in Cold Storage & Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) & Automated Retrievals and Storage systems

- Supply chain logistics, inventory management, and warehouse automation

- Experience with low-code/no-code platforms for rapid modernization.

• Contributions to open-source modernization frameworks or cloud migration tools.

• The annual salary for this position is between $153K - $180K 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: Cognizant offers the following benefits for this position, subject to applicable eligibility requirements:

• 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.
  Applications will be accepted until April 20, 2025