Senior Backend Engineer: Java, Kafka & AWS (Hybrid)

Motion Recruitment; Pasadena (CA); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Dental & Orthodontia

Vision Benefits

HSA

401(k) match

Job summary

Motion Recruitment Partners is seeking a Senior Backend Engineer to design and lead scalable backend systems in Pasadena, CA. You will work with Java 17/21, Spring Boot, Kafka, Python, and AWS in a hybrid setup, driving high-throughput data pipelines and AI-enabled applications.

The role emphasizes technical leadership, hands-on development, and collaboration across teams, with a focus on cloud-based architectures and robust testing practices.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of professional software development with a backend focus.
• Experience with Java 17/21 and Spring Boot in scalable systems.
• Proven ability to lead engineering teams and solve complex problems.
• Experience with Kafka, AWS, RESTful services, and data pipelines.
• Onsite work in Pasadena three days per week.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop scalable backend applications and services.
• Build RESTful services using Java and Spring Boot.
• Develop and maintain high-volume data pipelines with Apache Kafka.
• Architect cloud-based solutions leveraging AWS offerings.
• Work with SQL and NoSQL databases in enterprise apps.
• Provide technical guidance and leadership to the team.
• Create unit and integration tests to improve quality.
• Contribute to all SDLC phases from design to deployment.

Skills

Backend engineering

Distributed systems

Java

Spring Boot

Kafka

AWS

Python

SQL/NoSQL

Technical leadership

Unit tests

Tools

Java 17/21

Spring Boot

Apache Kafka

AWS

Python

RESTful APIs

SQL

NoSQL

Databricks

LLMs/AI tools

Job description

Senior Backend Engineer / Java, Kafka & AWS / Hybrid / Pasadena, CA

Our client is a large technology-driven organization developing scalable enterprise applications and data platforms. Based out of Pasadena, CA, they are looking to hire a Senior Backend Engineer on a contract basis.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced backend engineer who wants to work at the intersection of large-scale distributed systems, cloud engineering, and emerging AI technologies. The team is looking for a highly experienced, hands-on engineer who can design complex backend solutions while providing technical leadership to other developers. You'll work with a modern Java, Kafka, Python, and AWS stack while gaining exposure to AI-powered applications, LLMs, and intelligent agents.

Contract Duration

· 9+ Months

Required Skills & Experience

• 10+ years of professional software development experience with a strong focus on backend engineering
• Extensive experience designing and building scalable backend applications and distributed systems
• Strong hands-on development experience with Java 17/21
• Experience developing RESTful backend services using Spring Boot
• Strong experience with Apache Kafka and high-throughput, low-latency data pipelines
• Experience developing cloud-based applications using AWS
• Experience with AWS services such as Lambda, ECS/Fargate, API Gateway, CloudWatch, Secrets Manager, and IAM
• Professional development experience with Python
• Experience working with both SQL and NoSQL databases
• Experience providing technical leadership and helping engineering teams solve complex development challenges
• Strong understanding of software engineering development lifecycles
• Experience developing meaningful unit and integration tests
• Experience incorporating AI tools into day-to-day software engineering workflows
• Ability to work onsite in Pasadena three days per week

Desired Skills & Experience

• Experience developing AI-powered applications
• Hands-on experience with LLMs, generative AI, AI agents, or conversational AI
• Experience with Databricks or comparable cloud data platforms
• Strong background designing distributed systems and large-scale data solutions

What You Will Be Doing

Tech Breakdown

• Java 17/21 and Spring Boot
• Python
• Apache Kafka
• AWS cloud services
• RESTful APIs and microservices
• SQL and NoSQL databases
• Distributed and event-driven systems
• AI/LLM technologies
• Databricks or similar data platforms

Daily Responsibilities

• Design and develop scalable backend applications and services
• Build RESTful services using Java and Spring Boot
• Develop and maintain high-volume, low-latency data pipelines using Apache Kafka
• Design cloud-based solutions leveraging AWS infrastructure and services
• Work with SQL and NoSQL data stores supporting enterprise applications
• Collaborate with engineers on backend architecture and distributed system design
• Provide technical guidance and leadership when solving complex engineering problems
• Develop unit and integration tests to improve application quality and reliability
• Participate throughout the software development lifecycle, including design, development, testing, deployment, and ongoing enhancement
• Apply AI-assisted development tools to improve engineering productivity and software delivery
• Work with the team onsite in Pasadena three days per week

You will receive the following benefits:

• Medical Insurance - Four medical plans to choose from for you and your family
• Dental & Orthodontia Benefits
• Vision Benefits
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Health and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
• Voluntary Life Insurance, Long-Term & Short-Term Disability Insurance
• Hospital Indemnity Insurance
• 401(k) including match with pre and post-tax options
• Paid Sick Time Leave
• Legal and Identity Protection Plans
• Pre-tax Commuter Benefit
• 529 College Saver Plan

Motion Recruitment Partners (MRP) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All applicants must be currently authorized to work on a full-time basis in the country for which they are applying, and no sponsorship is currently available. Employment is subject to the successful completion of a pre-employment screening. Accommodation will be provided in all parts of the hiring process as required under MRP’s Employment Accommodation policy. Applicants need to make their needs known in advance.