Senior Java Architect: Scalable Backend & Microservices Lead

Techstra Solutions; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Techstra Solutions is seeking a senior backend engineer to lead design of cross-functional, multi-platform web systems. You will shape architecture, define components, platforms, and development tools, and guide mapping across technology stacks.

Expect 6–8 years of experience, strong Java with Spring, microservices, and API design. Collaboration with product, QA, and DevOps is essential to ensure reliability and security.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, or related field (Master's degree preferred).
• Strong Java development experience (17/21) with Spring and Spring Boot.
• Experience with microservices, event streaming (Kafka), and BPMN tools (Flowable/Camunda).
• Proficiency in designing REST APIs and enterprise integration patterns.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement backend services, APIs, and integrations with scalable architecture.
• Write clean, testable backend code and optimize data access and service performance.
• Design and consume REST APIs with clear contracts, versioning, and backward compatibility.
• Ensure production readiness with automated tests, debugging, and incident resolution.
• Collaborate with product, QA, DevOps, and other engineers; mentor junior staff.

Skills

Java

Spring

Spring Boot

DB (RDBMS/NoSQL)

Flowable/Camunda

Microservices

Kafka/Event Streaming

REST API Design

IDE for Coding

CI/CD

Angular

Java 21/17

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/IS/Engineering

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Flowable

Camunda

Kafka

Git

IDE

Job description

Role Overview
Leads in the overall design of cross-functional, multi-platform, and Web-based application systems; oversees all application system processes. Develops application architecture and blueprints aimed at reflecting enterprise business logic. Defines application components, platforms, interfaces, and development tools. Directs mapping activities on specific technology platforms. Skills: Design Machine Learning Competitive Advantages Customer Solutions Technical Knowledge Risk Assessments Enterprise Architecture Framework Experience: 6-8 years of experience required.
Key Responsibilities

• Design and implement backend services, APIs, and integrations. Apply sound systemdesign principles for performance, scalability, reliability, and security. Write clean, efficient, and testable backend code following best practices. Optimize data access and service performance; troubleshoot complex backend issues. Ensure data consistency, proper error handling, and robust service communication.

API & Integration Ownership:

• Design and consume REST or between frontend API based interfaces and backend systems. Ensure clear API contracts, proper versioning, and backward compatibility. Work closely with other teams on service integrations and shared data flows.

Code Quality & Engineering Excellence:

• Write highquality, readable, and maintainable code across the stack. Perform thorough code reviews and provide constructive feedback to peers. Champion best practices in testing, documentation, and refactoring. Balance feature delivery with managing and reducing technical debt.

Testing, Reliability & Production Readiness:

• Implement automated tests across frontend and backend layers. Participate in debugging and resolving production issues. Ensure applications meet nonfunctional requirements such as performance, resilience, and security. Contribute to postincident analysis and continuous improvement efforts.

Communication & Technical Influence:

• Collaborate effectively with product managers, designers, QA, DevOps, and other engineers. Clearly communicate technical designs, risks, and tradeoffs to both technical and nontechnical stakeholders. Participate actively in sprint planning, estimation, and delivery commitments. Mentor junior and midlevel engineers through code reviews, design discussions, and guidance. Act as a role model for engineering best practices and professional behavior.

Role Overview
Leads in the overall design of cross-functional, multi-platform, and Web-based application systems; oversees all application system processes. Develops application architecture and blueprints aimed at reflecting enterprise business logic. Defines application components, platforms, interfaces, and development tools. Directs mapping activities on specific technology platforms. Skills: Design Machine Learning Competitive Advantages Customer Solutions Technical Knowledge Risk Assessments Enterprise Architecture Framework Experience: 6-8 years of experience required.
Key Responsibilities

• Design and implement backend services, APIs, and integrations. Apply sound systemdesign principles for performance, scalability, reliability, and security. Write clean, efficient, and testable backend code following best practices. Optimize data access and service performance; troubleshoot complex backend issues. Ensure data consistency, proper error handling, and robust service communication.

API & Integration Ownership:

• Design and consume REST or between frontend API based interfaces and backend systems. Ensure clear API contracts, proper versioning, and backward compatibility. Work closely with other teams on service integrations and shared data flows.

Code Quality & Engineering Excellence:

• Write highquality, readable, and maintainable code across the stack. Perform thorough code reviews and provide constructive feedback to peers. Champion best practices in testing, documentation, and refactoring. Balance feature delivery with managing and reducing technical debt.

Testing, Reliability & Production Readiness:

• Implement automated tests across frontend and backend layers. Participate in debugging and resolving production issues. Ensure applications meet nonfunctional requirements such as performance, resilience, and security. Contribute to postincident analysis and continuous improvement efforts.

Communication & Technical Influence:

• Collaborate effectively with product managers, designers, QA, DevOps, and other engineers. Clearly communicate technical designs, risks, and tradeoffs to both technical and nontechnical stakeholders. Participate actively in sprint planning, estimation, and delivery commitments. Mentor junior and midlevel engineers through code reviews, design discussions, and guidance. Act as a role model for engineering best practices and professional behavior.

Required Qualifications/Skills

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, or related field (Master's degree preferred).
• Java (21), Spring, Spring Boot, DB (RDBMS or No SQL), Flowable/Camunda, Microservices, event streaming (Kafka/any other queueing), IDE installed for coding exercise.
• Spring Batch, Angular.
• Communication skills (both tech and business), design work.
• Strong Java development experience (primary requirement)v17/v21
• Spring Bootexpertise

Preferred Qualifications

• Java 21/Spring, Oracle, No-sql DB, Kafka, DevOps CI/CD, Git
• Flowable or any BPMN tool

Locations: Pittsburgh, PA

AboutTechstraSolutions
Techstra Solutions is a certified woman-owned (WBENC) management consulting firm specializing in strategy, technology, and implementation services for large organizations undergoing digital and talent transformation. Our experienced team partners with clients to co-create innovative solutions in applications, data, AI, and automation that accelerate measurable, sustainable change. From advisory consulting through technical execution, we are dedicated to driving world-class business solutions that fit your strategic requirements and deliver results. For more information: www.techstrasolutions.com

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Techstra Solutions is an equal opportunity employer. The Company makes its decisions on merit, and its policy of equal opportunity prohibits discrimination in all phases of the employment process, including, but not limited to, recruitment, hiring, promotion, selection, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, compensation, benefits, and other terms and conditions of employment. The policy of equal opportunity applies without regard to race, color, creed, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identification, pregnancy, marital status, national origin, ancestry, age, disability that can reasonably be accommodated without undue hardship, military status, veteran status, genetic predisposition or carrier status, alienage or citizenship, domestic partnership status, arrest or conviction record, status as a victim of domestic violence, or any other protected categories under federal, state, or local law. The Company also prohibits discrimination or harassment based upon the perception that a person has, or is associated with a person who has, any of these characteristics.

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