Senior Principal Back End Engineer
Modus Create is seeking a Principal Java Software Engineer to lead the design and delivery of complex, high‑performance backend systems. The role focuses on owning green‑field Spring Framework components from architecture through production, setting technical direction for the engineering team while remaining hands‑on with critical implementation work. It is suited for a deeply experienced Java architect capable of navigating ambiguity, mentoring engineers, and delivering production‑grade systems that handle extreme scale and throughput demands.
Requirements
* 15+ years of professional Java development experience, with demonstrated mastery of the Spring Framework ecosystem
* 10+ years of hands‑on experience designing and implementing green‑field Spring Framework applications at scale
* Deep expertise in JVM configuration, tuning, and optimization for high‑volume, heavy‑load systems
* Proven ability to architect complex, multi‑component systems for performance, scalability, and maintainability
* Strong track record mentoring and managing engineers; experience building and scaling technical teams
* Experience creating AI‑powered applications, integrating with AI tools and services, or creating/using MCP servers
* Strong collaborative mindset; comfortable operating in flat team structures and advocating for technical decisions without requiring process scaffolding
* Hands‑on cloud platform experience—deploying, configuring, troubleshooting, and optimizing applications in production cloud environments
* Excellent communication skills with the ability to manage client stakeholder relationships and translate technical complexity into clear guidance
* Demonstrated collaborative approach to team leadership—balancing autonomy with clear architectural direction
Responsibilities
* Lead technical architecture and design decisions for a complex, multi‑team consulting engagement; define application structure, component boundaries, and integration patterns
* Scaffold green‑field Spring Framework application components; establish coding standards, best practices, and architectural patterns that the team will follow
* Design and implement high‑performance, heavy‑load Spring Framework components; apply advanced JVM tuning, caching strategies, and concurrency patterns to meet demanding operational requirements
* Mentor junior and mid‑level engineers on technical problem‑solving, code quality, and architectural thinking; conduct code reviews and provide constructive feedback
* Partner with product leaders to refine features, stories, and technical requirements; translate business needs into sound technical solutions
* Shape the team's delivery schedule and quality standards; ensure code meets performance benchmarks and architectural standards before production
* Troubleshoot and resolve complex technical challenges—both in code and in team dynamics—that block progress
You’ll Love
* Building sophisticated, high‑performance Spring Framework systems from the ground up and watching them scale
* Working with a team of talented engineers who respect deep technical expertise and are eager to learn from you
* Solving hard JVM and architecture problems—concurrency, performance tuning, distributed system coordination
* Having the autonomy to make significant technical decisions while also knowing your guidance directly shapes how your team thinks about code and design
* Seeing junior engineers level up through your mentorship and start solving complex problems independently
How You Work
* You lead through technical credibility and clear reasoning, not authority; your team trusts your judgment because you make sound decisions and explain your thinking
* You’re comfortable with ambiguity early in a project and can scaffold solutions incrementally as requirements clarify; you balance high standards with pragmatism
* You know when to refactor and when to move forward; you’re direct in giving feedback and open to receiving it; you see code review as a collaborative learning opportunity
* You stay connected to the code; you don’t delegate all technical work upward
What Success Looks Like
* The team ships clean, performant, maintainable Spring Framework code that meets or exceeds performance and architectural standards
* Junior engineers are visibly leveling up in their technical problem‑solving and architectural thinking through your mentorship
* The project's technical foundation is sound enough that future teams can build on it without major rework
* Client stakeholders understand the technical decisions you’ve made and trust your guidance on scope, risk, and timeline
* The team operates with clear architectural direction while maintaining the autonomy to solve problems creatively
Apply now and show us you’ve got what it takes to take your consulting skills to the next level with Modus Create.
#J-18808-Ljbffr