Sr. Backend Engineer – Python/Java & Kafka C2C contract

Tech Mirrors; Bellevue (WA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Tech Mirrors in Bellevue, WA is seeking a Sr. Backend Engineer specializing in Python/Java with Kafka to design and implement scalable backend services. The role focuses on building microservices and REST APIs, ensuring secure communication and robust data processing.

Applicants should be proficient with UNIX/Linux, Bash scripting, GitLab CI/CD, and container orchestration with Docker and Kubernetes. Experience with observability tools and modern AI workflows is a plus.

Qualifications

• Proficiency with Kafka messaging and event-driven systems.
• Expert-level proficiency in Python and Java object-oriented programming.
• Hands-on UNIX/Linux environments and Bash scripting.
• Experience building scalable REST APIs and microservices.
• Knowledge of TLS/SSL encryption and SASL authentication for securing Kafka.
• Experience with GitLab and CI/CD automation.
• Strong SQL experience with relational databases.

Skills

Kafka

Python

Java

Microservices

CI/CD

UNIX/Linux Bash

REST APIs

Docker

Kubernetes

Git/GitLab

SQL

Observability

AI productivity tools

Tools

Docker

Kubernetes

GitLab

Git

CI/CD tooling

SQL clients

Job description

Role- Sr. Backend Engineer – Python/Java & Kafka

Location- Bellevue, WA

12 +Months

Mandatory Areas

• Kafka


• Python


• Java


• Microservices


• CICD

Skill Focus:Core (~70%): Kafka, Programming, Infrastructure Supporting (~20%): Architecture, Data Engineering Adjunct(~10%): Observability, AI/Modern tooling

Must Have Skills

• Proficiency with messaging and event-driven systems such as Kafka


• Expert-level proficiency in Python and Java object-oriented programming


• Strong experience with Python or Java object-oriented programming


• Hands-on experience with UNIX/Linux environments and expert-level Bash


• shell scripting for automation and pipeline orchestration


• Automate manual processes and operational workflows using Bash shell scripting in UNIX environments


• Build responsive, accessible, and performant applications, delivering end-to-end features across API and data layers


• Experience building scalable REST APIs and microservices


• Knowledge of TLS/SSL encryption and SASL authentication for securing Kafka clusters


• Experience with Git, GitLab, and CI/CD automation


• Experience working with relational databases and writing complex SQL


• Experience with containerization and orchestration tools such as Docker and Kubernetes


• Experience using observability and telemetry tools such as Splunk, AppDynamics, or Grafana


• Hands-on experience with AI productivity tools (Claude and Cursor or similar IDE) and working knowledge of foundation models, prompt engineering, retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), and AI agent development.

Nice to Have

• Experience with Databricks, Snowflake, or cloud-based data platforms


• Network Domain experience


• Experience working in cloud-native environments (Azure, AWS, or GCP)


• Experience contributing to system architecture or platform-level design decisions