Sr. Java / Python Developer

Motion Recruitment; Pasadena (CA); Hybrid; USD 96,000 - 152,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Dental & Orthodontia

Vision Benefits

Health Savings Account

401(k) with match

Paid Sick Time

Pre-tax Commuter Benefit

Job summary

Motion Recruitment is seeking a Senior Backend Engineer to join a hybrid team in Pasadena, CA. The role emphasizes building scalable Java/Spring Boot backends, Kafka data pipelines, and AWS cloud integrations for enterprise-scale applications.

The ideal candidate has 10+ years in backend engineering, strong leadership, and hands-on experience with cloud services and AI-enabled workflows. Onsite presence in Pasadena is required three days per week, with a contract duration of 9+ months.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of professional software development experience with a strong focus on backend engineering.
• Extensive experience designing and building scalable backend applications and distributed systems.
• Strong hands-on development experience with Java 17/21.
• Experience developing RESTful backend services using Spring Boot.
• Strong experience with Apache Kafka and high-throughput, low-latency data pipelines.
• Experience developing cloud-based applications using AWS.
• Experience with AWS services such as Lambda, ECS/Fargate, API Gateway, CloudWatch, Secrets Manager, and IAM.
• Professional development experience with Python.
• Experience working with both SQL and NoSQL databases.
• Experience providing technical leadership and helping engineering teams solve complex development challenges.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop scalable backend applications and services.
• Build RESTful services using Java and Spring Boot.
• Develop and maintain high-volume, low-latency data pipelines using Apache Kafka.
• Design cloud-based solutions leveraging AWS infrastructure and services.
• Work with SQL and NoSQL data stores supporting enterprise applications.
• Collaborate with engineers on backend architecture and distributed system design.
• Provide technical guidance and leadership when solving complex engineering problems.
• Develop unit and integration tests to improve application quality and reliability.
• Participate throughout the software development lifecycle, including design, development, testing, deployment, and ongoing enhancement.
• Apply AI-assisted development tools to improve engineering productivity and software delivery.
• Work with the team onsite in Pasadena three days per week.

Skills

Java 17/21

Spring Boot

Apache Kafka

AWS

Python

RESTful APIs

SQL & NoSQL

Distributed systems

Unit & integration tests

Technical leadership

Tools

Databricks

Job description

Senior Backend Engineer / Java, Kafka & AWS / Hybrid / Pasadena, CA

Our client is a large technology-driven organization developing scalable enterprise applications and data platforms. Based out of Pasadena, CA, they are looking to hire a Senior Backend Engineer on a contract basis.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced backend engineer who wants to work at the intersection of large-scale distributed systems, cloud engineering, and emerging AI technologies. The team is looking for a highly experienced, hands-on engineer who can design complex backend solutions while providing technical leadership to other developers. You'll work with a modern Java, Kafka, Python, and AWS stack while gaining exposure to AI-powered applications, LLMs, and intelligent agents.

Contract Duration

9+ Months

Required Skills & Experience

• 10+ years of professional software development experience with a strong focus on backend engineering
• Extensive experience designing and building scalable backend applications and distributed systems
• Strong hands‑on development experience with Java 17/21
• Experience developing RESTful backend services using Spring Boot
• Strong experience with Apache Kafka and high-throughput, low-latency data pipelines
• Experience developing cloud-based applications using AWS
• Experience with AWS services such as Lambda, ECS/Fargate, API Gateway, CloudWatch, Secrets Manager, and IAM
• Professional development experience with Python
• Experience working with both SQL and NoSQL databases
• Experience providing technical leadership and helping engineering teams solve complex development challenges
• Strong understanding of software engineering development lifecycles
• Experience developing meaningful unit and integration tests
• Experience incorporating AI tools into day‑to‑day software engineering workflows
• Ability to work onsite in Pasadena three days per week

Desired Skills & Experience

• Experience developing AI‑powered applications
• Hands‑on experience with LLMs, generative AI, AI agents, or conversational AI
• Experience with Databricks or comparable cloud data platforms
• Strong background designing distributed systems and large‑scale data solutions

What You Will Be Doing

Tech Breakdown

• Java 17/21 and Spring Boot
• Python
• Apache Kafka
• AWS cloud services
• RESTful APIs and microservices
• SQL and NoSQL databases
• Distributed and event‑driven systems
• AI/LLM technologies
• Databricks or similar data platforms

Daily Responsibilities

• Design and develop scalable backend applications and services
• Build RESTful services using Java and Spring Boot
• Develop and maintain high‑volume, low‑latency data pipelines using Apache Kafka
• Design cloud‑based solutions leveraging AWS infrastructure and services
• Work with SQL and NoSQL data stores supporting enterprise applications
• Collaborate with engineers on backend architecture and distributed system design
• Provide technical guidance and leadership when solving complex engineering problems
• Develop unit and integration tests to improve application quality and reliability
• Participate throughout the software development lifecycle, including design, development, testing, deployment, and ongoing enhancement
• Apply AI‑assisted development tools to improve engineering productivity and software delivery
• Work with the team onsite in Pasadena three days per week

You will receive the following benefits:

• Medical Insurance - Four medical plans to choose from for you and your family
• Dental & Orthodontia Benefits
• Vision Benefits
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Health and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
• Voluntary Life Insurance, Long‑Term & Short‑Term Disability Insurance
• Hospital Indemnity Insurance
• 401(k) including match with pre and post‑tax options
• Paid Sick Time Leave
• Legal and Identity Protection Plans
• Pre‑tax Commuter Benefit
• 529 College Saver Plan

Motion Recruitment Partners (MRP) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All applicants must be currently authorized to work on a full‑time basis in the country for which they are applying, and no sponsorship is currently available. Employment is subject to the successful completion of a pre‑employment screening. Accommodation will be provided in all parts of the hiring process as required under MRP’s Employment Accommodation policy. Applicants need to make their needs known in advance.