Senior Software Engineer - Python, Java & SQL

Cognizant; Pleasanton (CA); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Life Insurance

401(k) Plan

Parental Leave

Job summary

Cognizant is seeking a Senior Software Engineer to design and deliver scalable enterprise applications using Python, Java, and SQL in a microservices architecture. You will collaborate with product owners, architects, and platform teams to build secure, reliable solutions for complex business needs.

The role may require in-person interviews at Cognizant offices or client locations. A hybrid schedule is supported with three days per week in Pleasanton, CA, and must be legally eligible to work in

Qualifications

• Extensive hands-on experience designing production-grade microservices for distributed enterprise applications.
• Strong proficiency in Python for backend services, automation, scripting, or data-processing workflows.
• Solid Java development experience with resilient services and API/messaging integration.
• Advanced SQL knowledge including relational modeling, query optimization, and performance tuning.
• Experience with version control, CI/CD, automated testing, and code reviews.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and enhance scalable microservices and backend applications using Python and Java.
• Create optimized SQL queries, stored procedures, and data-access solutions for transactional and analytical workloads.
• Integrate services with enterprise platforms, APIs, and messaging systems with attention to security, logging, and observability.
• Improve application quality and reliability through automated testing, code reviews, and performance tuning.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to refine requirements and deliver high-value features iteratively.

Skills

Python

Java

SQL

Microservices

Backend

Job description

Senior Software Engineer, Python, Java & SQL

About the role

As a Senior Software Engineer, you will make an impact by designing and delivering scalable enterprise applications using Python, Java, SQL, and microservices architecture. You will be a valued member of the engineering team and collaborate with product owners, architects, platform teams, and fellow engineers to build secure, reliable, and maintainable solutions that support complex business needs.

Please note: A few of our roles may require in-person interviews at Cognizant offices or client locations, depending on project or client needs.

Candidate must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for employer sponsorship, now or at any time in the future

In this role, you will:

• Design, develop, and enhance scalable microservices and backend applications using Python and Java.
• Create optimized SQL queries, stored procedures, and data-access solutions for transactional and analytical workloads.
• Integrate services with enterprise platforms, APIs, and messaging systems while maintaining security, error handling, logging, and observability.
• Improve application quality and reliability through automated testing, code reviews, performance tuning, root-cause analysis, and production support.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to refine requirements, estimate effort, document technical solutions, and deliver high-value features through iterative development.

We believe hybrid work is the way forward as we strive to provide flexibility wherever possible. Based on this role’s business requirements, this is a hybrid position requiring 3 days a week in a client office in Pleasanton CA.

Regardless of your working arrangement, we are here to support a healthy work-life balance through our various wellbeing programs.

The working arrangements for this role are accurate as of the date of posting. This may change based on the project you’re engaged in, as well as business and client requirements. Rest assured, we will always be clear about role expectations.

What you need to have to be considered

• Extensive hands-on experience designing and delivering production-grade microservices for distributed enterprise applications.
• Strong proficiency in Python for backend services, automation, scripting, or data-processing workflows.
• Solid Java development experience, including building resilient services and integrating with APIs or messaging platforms.
• Advanced SQL knowledge, including relational data modeling, query optimization, and database performance tuning.
• Experience with software engineering practices such as version control, continuous integration, continuous delivery, automated testing, and code reviews.

These will help you stand out

• Experience troubleshooting production issues and improving the scalability, performance, and reliability of distributed applications.
• Knowledge of deployment pipelines, monitoring platforms, logging, metrics, dashboards, and alerting.
• Experience modernizing legacy applications and reducing operational effort through automation.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, documentation, and cross-functional communication skills.
• Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities, and deliver reliable outcomes in a hybrid environment.

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.

Compensation

The annual salary for this position ranges from $120,000 to $140,000, depending on experience and qualifications. This role is also eligible for Cognizant’s discretionary annual incentive program, subject to performance and applicable plan terms.

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.

We're excited to meet people who share our mission and can make an impact in a variety of ways.