Senior Java Engineer – Agentic AI

United States Digital Space LLC; United States; Hybrid; USD 82,656 - 92,299; Full time

Job summary

United States Digital Space LLC is seeking a hands-on Senior Java Engineer to lead agentic AI initiatives in a hybrid Toronto environment. The role spans architecture, backend Java development, and end-to-end delivery with minimal direction, tackling un predefined architectures and evaluating technologies.

You will design scalable systems using Java, Spring Boot, and microservices, collaborate with product teams, and leverage AI tools like GitHub Copilot and Claude to accelerate development

Qualifications

• 8+ years of hands-on Java backend development experience.
• Strong expertise in Java, Spring Boot, and Microservices.
• Proven experience in software design, architecture, and end-to-end implementation.
• Hands-on experience with GitHub Copilot and/or Claude as part of the software development lifecycle.
• Good understanding of AI/ML concepts and AI-assisted software development.
• Experience working with Agentic AI, AI agents, workflows, skills, or AI-powered coding tools.

Responsibilities

• Design, architect, develop, test, and implement Java-based backend solutions.
• Own features from concept through implementation without requiring detailed technical direction.
• Evaluate and recommend the best technologies, frameworks, and architectural approaches for each solution.
• Build scalable, secure, and high-quality applications using modern engineering practices.
• Work closely with engineering and product teams to transform ideas into working solutions.
• Leverage AI-powered development tools to improve engineering productivity and software quality.
• Contribute to technology evaluations and innovation initiatives while ensuring compliance and engineering best practices.

Skills

Java backend

Spring Boot

Microservices

Software design

Architecture

GitHub Copilot

Claude

AI/ML concepts

Agentic AI

Independent work

Communication

Tools

AWS

Databricks

Job description

Senior Java Engineer – Agentic AI

Location: Toronto, ON (Hybrid – 3 days/week onsite)

Duration: 6-month contract (extension possible up to 1 year) or FTE

About the Role

We are looking for highly experienced, hands‑on Senior Java Engineers (Architects /Technical Leads with strong hands‑on Software Engineering background) to join an innovation-focused on Agentic AI initiatives.

This is not a traditional feature development role. We are looking for engineers who are independent thinkers—professionals who can take an idea or problem statement, evaluate multiple technology options, design the solution, build it, and deliver an end‑to‑end outcome with minimal direction.

You will work in an environment where the destination is known, but the path is not. There is no predefined architecture, framework, or implementation approach. Your ability to evaluate technologies, make sound technical decisions, and deliver quality solutions will be critical.

What You'll Do

The team works across two key streams:

Technology Evaluation

• Evaluate emerging technologies, frameworks, AI tools, and development approaches.
• Build proof‑of‑concepts and prototypes.
• Recommend Go/No‑Go decisions based on technical feasibility, scalability, and compliance.

Product Evaluation

• Partner with product teams to develop early‑stage products and services.
• Design, develop, test, and integrate beta solutions.
• Support pilot releases, collect feedback and usage data, and help determine product readiness for production.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, architect, develop, test, and implement Java‑based backend solutions.
• Own features from concept through implementation without requiring detailed technical direction.
• Evaluate and recommend the best technologies, frameworks, and architectural approaches for each solution.
• Build scalable, secure, and high‑quality applications using modern engineering practices.
• Work closely with engineering and product teams to transform ideas into working solutions.
• Leverage AI‑powered development tools to improve engineering productivity and software quality.
• Contribute to technology evaluations and innovation initiatives while ensuring compliance and engineering best practices.

Required Skills

• 8+ years of hands‑on Java backend development experience.
• Strong expertise in Java, Spring Boot, and Microservices.
• Proven experience in software design, architecture, and end‑to‑end implementation.
• Hands‑on experience with GitHub Copilot and/or Claude as part of the software development lifecycle.
• Good understanding of AI/ML concepts and AI‑assisted software development.
• Experience working with Agentic AI, AI agents, workflows, skills, or AI‑powered coding tools.
• Strong system design and problem‑solving skills.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
• Ability to work independently in ambiguous environments with minimal supervision.

Nice to Have

• Hands‑on experience developing AI/ML solutions.
• Experience with AWS.
• Experience with Databricks.
• Experience building proof‑of‑concepts, prototypes, or innovation‑focused solutions.

What We're Looking For

The ideal candidate is someone who:

• Is a hands‑on engineer first, with architecture and technical leadership capabilities.
• Thinks independently and takes ownership from problem statement to solution delivery.
• Can evaluate multiple technologies and determine the best implementation approach.
• Is comfortable working without predefined designs or frameworks.
• Uses AI tools effectively to improve development speed and quality.
• Communicates effectively, collaborates well, and influences through technical expertise rather than authority.

This Role Is NOT For Someone Who

• Requires detailed user stories and implementation guidance for every task.
• Primarily produces architecture documents without hands‑on development.
• Waits for direction instead of driving technical solutions.
• Focuses only on coding individual components without understanding the overall solution.

This Role Is Ideal For Someone Who

• Enjoys solving complex engineering problems.
• Can take a feature or product idea and independently determine the architecture, technology stack, implementation strategy, and delivery approach.
• Thrives in R&D, innovation, and experimentation environments.
• Wants to work on cutting‑edge Agentic AI initiatives while remaining deeply hands‑on with Java development and software architecture.

Pay

$60.00-$67.00 per hour

Experience

• AI/Agentic: 3 years (required)
• Java: 10 years (required)
• Spring Boot and Microservices: 10 years (required)
• AWS and Databricks: 6 years (required)

Work Location

Hybrid remote in Toronto, ON M6H 1S1