Senior Java Full Stack Engineer

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.

• 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, Dynamo
  
  DB, 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.
• Dev Ops Alignment:
  Collaborate closely with Dev Ops teams to optimise 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 organisational governance standards.

• 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 (Git Hub Actions, Jenkins, Git Lab, etc.).
• Ability to lead technical design, troubleshoot complex issues, and make architectural decisions.
• Strong Git and branching strategy experience.

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

• 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.

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

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

We are a high‑calibre 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.

Cognizant is one of the world's leading professional services companies, transforming clients' business, operating, and technology models for the digital era. Our…