Senior Software Development Engineer

MetLife; Cary (NC); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/dental/vision insurance

Disability insurance

Retirement plan + 401(k) with match

Paid time off & holidays

Tuition assistance

EAP and mental health programs

Job summary

MetLife is seeking a Senior Software Java Development Engineer to lead design, development, and maintenance of scalable enterprise apps. You’ll mentor peers, drive architectural decisions, and contribute to modernization with cloud, microservices, and DevOps initiatives.

Role requires deep Java expertise, Spring/Hibernate mastery, and hands-on Docker/Kubernetes, plus cloud delivery across AWS/Azure/GCP. Hybrid in-office collaboration is expected.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in computer science or a related technical field.
• 5+ years of professional software development experience primarily in Java.
• Core Java fundamentals including multithreading, concurrency, and JVM tuning.
• Mastery of Spring Framework (Boot, MVC, Security) and Hibernate/JPA.
• Hands-on Docker/Kubernetes and cloud platforms (AWS/Azure/GCP).
• Experience building AI-enabled applications and ML/Generative AI concepts.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and architecture of high‑performance, modular Java systems.
• Develop features end‑to‑end from analysis to production release.
• Mentor junior engineers and enforce engineering best practices.
• Collaborate in Agile/Scrum ceremonies; improve CI/CD pipelines.
• Troubleshoot, optimize performance, and ensure system reliability.

Skills

Java

Spring Framework

Hibernate/JPA

Docker

Kubernetes

Cloud platforms

SQL

JUnit/Mockito

REST APIs

Multithreading

AI/Generative AI

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in CS

Tools

Docker

Kubernetes

CI/CD tools (Azure Pipelines, etc.)

Cloud (AWS/Azure/GCP)

Job description

When you join MetLife’s Global Technology team, you’ll be part of a forward-thinking group dedicated to shaping the future of digital solutions for customers worldwide. You’ll develop, maintain and support technology applications and delivery, leveraging AI, automation, and contemporary ways of working to enhance experiences and drive business outcomes. Your work will simplify complex processes, improve tech resiliency, and ensure high-performing, seamless solutions that power life’s most important moments. In this dynamic environment, you’ll collaborate with talented peers across teams and functions, expanding your skills in impactful ways. Ready to push boundaries and set new industry standards? Join us and help drive the future of technology forward.

The Opportunity

We are seeking a seasoned Senior Software Java Development Engineer to lead the design, development, and maintenance of high-performance, scalable enterprise applications. In this role, you will serve as a hands‑on technical leader, driving architectural decisions and delivering innovative solutions that support critical business capabilities. You will collaborate closely with architects, product owners, and cross‑functional teams to translate complex business requirements into robust technical solutions. This position offers the opportunity to influence enterprise‑wide modernization initiatives, including cloud adoption, microservices architecture, and DevOps transformation.

As a senior member of the team, you will mentor and guide junior developers, promote engineering best practices, and ensure high standards of code quality, performance, and reliability. You will play a key role in shaping the technical direction of the platform while contributing to continuous improvement and innovation across the organization.

Key Responsibilities

• System Architecture: Lead the design and architecture of complex, modular, and secure software systems using Java 8+ and modern frameworks.
• Feature Development: Write clean, efficient, and well‑documented code while leading the development of new features from analysis to production release.
• Mentorship: Provide technical guidance, perform code reviews, and mentor junior engineers to foster a culture of technical excellence.
• Agile Collaboration: Participate in all Agile/Scrum ceremonies, collaborating with cross‑functional teams to translate business requirements into technical solutions (enhance CI/CD pipelines to automate the build, test, and deployment).
• System Optimization: Troubleshoot and resolve complex defects, optimize application performance, and ensure applications remain fit‑for‑purpose as the business.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in computer science or a related technical field.
• 5+ years of professional software development experience primarily in Java.
• Core Java: Deep expertise in Java fundamentals, including multithreading, concurrency, and/or JVM tuning.
• Frameworks: Mastery of Spring Framework (Spring Boot, Spring MVC, Spring Security) and/or Hibernate/JPA.
• Cloud & DevOps: Hands‑on experience with Docker, Kubernetes, and cloud platforms like AWS, Azure, or GCP.
• Strong Hands‑On Development: experience in Agile‑based code development.
• Databases: Proficiency in SQL optimization for relational databases (e.g., PostgreSQL, MySQL, Oracle).
• Testing: Strong skills in automated testing using JUnit 5, Mockito, and/or Testcontainers.
• Experience building applications using modern AI technologies, including generative AI and machine learning.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with front‑end technologies such as React or Angular.
• Working knowledge of Azure Pipelines.
• Knowledge in API/Microservices‑based development using the latest Java releases is a plus.
• Knowledge of Generative AI integration (e.g., LangChain4j).

Location Expectation

This is a hybrid role requiring a minimum of 3 days per week in office.

The expected salary range for this position is $90,000 - $120,000. This role may also be eligible for annual short‑term incentive compensation and stock‑based long‑term incentives. All incentives and benefits are subject to the applicable plan terms.

Benefits We Offer

• medical/prescription drug and vision
• dental insurance
• no‑cost short‑and long‑term disability
• company‑paid life insurance and legal services
• a retirement pension funded entirely by MetLife
• 401(k) with employer matching
• group discounts on voluntary insurance products including auto and home
• pet
• critical illness
• hospital indemnity
• accident insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and digital mental health programs
• parental leave
• paid time off
• paid holidays
• volunteer time off
• tuition assistance
• much more!

About MetLife

Recognized on Fortune magazine's list of the "World's Most Admired Companies", Fortune World’s 25 Best Workplaces™, as well as the Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For®, MetLife, through its subsidiaries and affiliates, is one of the world’s leading financial services companies; providing insurance, annuities, employee benefits and asset management to individual and institutional customers. With operations in more than 40 markets, we hold leading positions in the United States, Latin America, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.

As part of our New Frontier strategy, MetLife is building an AI‑enabled, people‑centered future. We’re looking for people who bring curiosity, adaptability, and a growth mindset as we use AI to enhance how we serve customers, support communities, and evolve the way work gets done. At MetLife, AI is a responsible partner that supports human judgment, creativity, and continuous improvement while helping us build trust, inclusion, and long‑term value.

Our purpose is simple - to help our colleagues, customers, communities, and the world at large create a more confident future. United by purpose and guided by our core values - Win Together, Do the Right Thing, Deliver Impact Over Activity, and Think Ahead - we’re inspired to transform the next century in financial services. At MetLife, it’s #AllTogetherPossible. Join us!

MetLife is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All employment decisions are made without regards to race, color, national origin, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, marital or domestic/civil partnership status, genetic information, citizenship status (although applicants and employees must be legally authorized to work in the United States), uniformed service member or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law (“protected characteristics”).

If you need an accommodation due to a disability, please email us at [e-mail]. This information will be held in confidence and used only to determine an appropriate accommodation for the application process.

MetLife maintains a drug‑free workplace.

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liabilities.

This posting is for a current vacancy and is anticipated to remain open for at least 90 days from the listed posting date.