Sr. Java / Python Devleoper

Kelly Services; Pasadena (CA); Hybrid; USD 160,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Dental & Orthodontia Benefits

Vision Benefits

HSA

401(k) including match

Paid Sick Time

Pre-tax Commuter Benefit

Job summary

Kelly Services is seeking a Senior Backend Engineer in Pasadena to own design and delivery of scalable backend services. You will work with Java, Spring Boot, Kafka, and AWS in a hybrid onsite role, leading technical efforts and mentoring peers.

The role emphasizes cloud-based architectures, high-throughput data pipelines, and AI-assisted development with a strong testing mindset. Pasadena onsite presence is required three days weekly.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of backend development experience with focus on scalable systems.
• Designing and building distributed backend applications and services.
• Hands-on Java 17/21 development and Spring Boot.
• RESTful services, Kafka data pipelines, and AWS cloud usage.
• Experience with SQL/NoSQL databases and testing.

Responsibilities

• Design and deliver scalable backend applications and services.
• Build RESTful services using Java and Spring Boot.
• Develop high-volume, low-latency data pipelines with Kafka.
• Design AWS-based cloud solutions using Lambda, ECS/Fargate, API Gateway.
• Lead engineering efforts and mentor teammates.
• Create and maintain unit/integration tests for quality.
• Support AI-assisted development workflows.

Skills

Java 17/21

Spring Boot

Apache Kafka

AWS

Python

RESTful APIs

SQL

NoSQL

Distributed systems

AI tools / LLMs

Unit tests

Leadership

Pasadena onsite

Tools

Databricks

Job description

$80

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.