Senior Java Full Stack Engineer

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Role Purpose:
Lead the design, development, and optimization of Java-based services and cloud-native solutions on AWS. Provide technical leadership, mentor engineers, establish engineering standards, and ensure the delivery of secure, scalable, and maintainable digital services aligned with DDaT engineering principles.

Key Outcomes & Responsibilities

• Technical Leadership: Set engineering standards, lead design reviews, influence solution architecture, and guide teams in modern Java engineering practices.
• Java Engineering: Build high-quality, performant Java microservices using Spring Boot, applying clean coding, SOLID principles, and industry best practices.
• Cloud Engineering (AWS): Design and deliver cloud-native workloads using AWS services (e.g., Lambda, ECS, EKS, API Gateway, DynamoDB, S3, RDS). Ensure architectures are resilient, secure, and cost-efficient.
• API & Platform Ownership: Define and maintain RESTful APIs, integration patterns, and service-to-service communication models across distributed systems.
• Quality Engineering: Drive automated testing (unit, integration, contract), performance optimization, and maintain robust CI/CD pipelines.
• Distributed Systems: Design scalable and event-driven architectures using SNS/SQS, Kafka/Kinesis, or streaming platforms.
• DevOps Alignment: Collaborate closely with DevOps teams to optimize pipelines, support Infrastructure as Code, and ensure production readiness.
• Mentoring & Capability Building: Coach junior engineers, champion best practices, review code, and support engineering capability growth.
• Documentation & Governance: Ensure technical designs, code artefacts, and operational documentation comply with DDaT and organizational governance standards.

Essential Skills (Must Have)

• Advanced Java development expertise, Java 17+ is preferred.
• Strong experience with Spring Boot, RESTful APIs, and microservice patterns.
• Expertise in Postgres SQL, AWS RDS, JCache
• Hands-on AWS experience across core compute, networking, and managed services.
• Deep understanding of distributed systems, asynchronous processing, and cloud-native design.
• Strong automated testing practices: JUnit, Mockito, integration/contract testing.
• Experience with CI/CD tools (GitHub Actions, Jenkins, GitLab, etc.).
• Ability to lead technical design, troubleshoot complex issues, and make architectural decisions.
• Strong Git and branching strategy experience.

Desirable Skills (Nice to Have)

• Infrastructure as Code experience (Terraform, AWS CDK, CloudFormation).
• Event-streaming experience (Kafka).
• Containerization skills - Docker, ECS, EKS, Kubernetes.
• Observability tooling experience: CloudWatch, ELK, Prometheus, Grafana, Splunk Open Telemetry.
• Experience working in regulated industries or UK government environments.
• Knowledge of security best practices (OWASP, AWS security patterns).

Experience

• Significant experience designing and delivering Java-based platforms at scale.
• Proven track record leading engineering teams or owning major technical components.
• Strong background in Agile delivery and product-led engineering.
• Experience building secure, resilient, highly available cloud services.

Ways of Working

• Lead and contribute to Agile ceremonies, technical planning, and design reviews.
• Champion continuous improvement and engineering excellence.
• Collaborate closely with multidisciplinary teams (Product, DevOps, QA, Architecture, UX).

Location & Security
UK-based, hybrid working as agreed with the client; BPSS or SC clearance may be required (TBC).

The Cognizant community:
We are a high caliber team who appreciate and support one another. Our people uphold an energetic, collaborative and inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive.

• Cognizant is a global community with more than 300,000 associates around the world.
• We don't just dream of a better way - we make it happen.
• We take care of our people, clients, company, communities and climate by doing what's right.
• We foster an innovative environment where you can build the career path that's right for you.

About us:
Cognizant is one of the world's leading professional services companies, transforming clients' business, operating, and technology models for the digital era. Our unique industry-based, consultative approach helps clients envision, build, and run more innovative and efficient businesses. Headquartered in the U.S., Cognizant (a member of the NASDAQ-100 and one of Forbes World's Best Employers 2025) is consistently listed among the most admired companies in the world. Learn how Cognizant helps clients lead with digital at www.cognizant.com

Cognizant is an equal opportunity employer. Your application and candidacy will not be considered based on race, color, sex, religion, creed, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

Disclaimer:
Compensation 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.

Applicants may be required to attend interviews in person or by video conference. In addition, candidates may be required to present their current state or government issued ID during each interview.