Staff Engineer (Java)

Job Description

• Job Details (Candidate Facing)Need senior level developer / junior architect level candidate
  
  Contract to Hire that can work out of:
  • Manassas VA
  • Wilmington DE
  • Urbandale IA
  The selected staff engineer is the continuation of an individual contributor role that begins to focus on the scaling of engineering. The person in this role is responsible for the design, development, modification, analysis and implementation of software programming applications for the various subsidiaries of the corporation. They are responsible for updating and/or enhancing existing software capabilities applying principles and techniques of computer science, engineering, and mathematical analysis. Key
  Core Responsibilities:
  • Perform code review upholding best practices and architectural patterns (25%)
  • Design new software engineering implementation patterns for consumption at scale (25%)
  • Solving complex business challenges leveraging new and existing technology (35%)
  • Creating system documentation and mentoring junior team members (10%)
  • Perform recruiting screening and technical assessments of incoming candidates (5%)
  Other Duties:
  • Promote innovation with the courage to challenge norms.
  • Tackle complex problems using simplification and experimentation.
  • Guard product quality through diligence in security, performance, and observability.
  • Aggressively seek out technical debt, in both process and code, and ideate on faster delivery.
  • Maintain and refine metrics for engineering success. Advocate for these through code review.
  • Invest in mentoring team members. Nurture growth in autonomy through critical thinking, problem analysis, and technical maturity.
  • Proposes software solutions.
  • Develops, designs and edits original applications, or modifies third-party applications.
  • Tests and approves applications.
  • Analyze and define software requirements to determine specifications and standards; provides feedback on business requirements to fully leverage technology to improve business functions.
  • Produces significant new system functionality or defect resolution with minimal direction.
  • Can perform adequate peer review on any changes in the system.
  • Can be consulted to provide recommendations to solve business issues based on experience and knowledge of current technology.
  • May provide rotating on-call support of production systems.
  • Partner with the various subsidiaries to create a vision for future advancement of our applications.
  • Travel for this position is approximately 5-10%.
  Education Requirement
  Bachelor’s degree with emphasis in related field or equivalent experience.
  Qualifications
  • 7+ years’ experience in java or object-oriented programming
  • 2+ years’ experience in an agile environment
  • 3+ years’ experience in integrating systems through APIs
  • Ability to communicate complex ideas into technical implementation requirements
  • Experience working in an agile environment focusing on iterative delivery
  • Ability to convey complex problems (technical or organizational) concisely, accompanied by thoughtfully proposed solutions
  • Performs work independently.
  • Uses advanced techniques, theories, and processes to complete work.
  • Software Development Life Cycle experience.
  • Ability to thrive and produce results with little or no supervision in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment.
  • Excellent communication skills with ability to interact seamlessly at all levels with both technical and business stakeholders.
  • Superior problem solving and analytical skills.
• Public Job DescriptionStaff Engineer (Java)
  Contract to Hire
  4 days onsite - Wilmington DE, Urbandale, IA or Manassas, VA
  
  The selected Staff Engineer is a senior individual contributor role focused on designing and scaling enterprise engineering solutions. This role is responsible for leading API-first architecture initiatives, defining best practices, and guiding the evolution of software systems across multiple subsidiaries. The position balances hands-on development with strategic architectural leadership, ensuring long-term scalability, maintainability, and integration across a complex application ecosystem.Core Responsibilities
  • Design and implement scalable API architectures and integration patterns across multiple applications and business units.
  • Lead code reviews ensuring adherence to architectural patterns, best practices, and API governance.
  • Solve complex business and technical challenges leveraging modern and legacy technologies.
  • Contribute to system documentation and define standards for reusable components and services.
  • Partner with stakeholders and subsidiaries to define strategic technology directions and system evolution.
  • Ability to mentor junior team members.
  Approximate Focus:
  • API architecture & design – 35%
  • Solving complex enterprise challenges – 35%
  • Code review and enforcement of architectural patterns – 25%
  • Mentoring and documentation – 10%
  Other Duties
  • Promote innovation and challenge established norms.
  • Identify and reduce technical debt in both code and processes.
  • Ensure product quality through attention to security, performance, and observability.
  • Test, approve, and refine software solutions; provide consultation for solving business problems leveraging current technology.
  • Provide occasional production system support as part of a rotating on-call schedule.
  • Travel required: ~5–10%.
  Education & Experience Requirements
  • Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related field, or equivalent experience.
  • 7+ years of experience in Java (preferred) or object-oriented programming.
  • 3+ years of API architecture or system integration experience. Rest API.
  • 2+ years of experience working in an agile environment, delivering iteratively.
  • Demonstrated ability to design scalable systems and make architectural decisions for complex enterprise ecosystems.
  • Experience mentoring junior developers and influencing technical direction.
  • Strong communication skills to translate complex technical ideas into actionable implementation requirements.
  • Proven track record of solving complex business challenges through technology.
  • Ability to operate independently in a fast-paced environment and thrive under ambiguity.
  Qualifications / Key Attributes
  • Deep understanding of API-first design principles and scalable enterprise architecture.
  • Proficiency in Java and object-oriented programming with modern development frameworks.
  • Experience with integration across multiple systems and legacy modernization projects.
  • Strong problem-solving and analytical skills, able to evaluate trade-offs and recommend solutions.
  • Hands-on experience with software development lifecycle (SDLC) best practices.
  • Ability to influence technical strategy and enforce architectural standards across teams.