Senior Backend Java Engineer with AI / LLM

job summary:

We are seeking a Senior Backend Java Engineer to join a large enterprise technology team in Bentonville, AR. This is a contract-to-hire opportunity with a hybrid/on-site presence required at the corporate headquarters.

This role combines strong Java/Spring Boot backend engineering with hands-on Generative AI and Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) development. You'll build scalable backend services while integrating LLMs, vector search, and AI orchestration capabilities into enterprise applications.

location: Bentonville, Arkansas

job type: Contract

salary: $60 - 65 per hour

work hours: 9am to 5pm

education: Bachelors

responsibilities:

• Design and build scalable backend services using Java 17+ and Spring Boot
• Build and integrate RAG pipelines and LLM-powered application capabilities
• Develop event-driven services and streaming solutions using Apache Kafka
• Work with NoSQL databases such as Cassandra, MongoDB, Cosmos DB, or similar
• Implement embeddings, vector search, semantic retrieval, and contextual grounding
• Design REST APIs and cloud-native services deployed in Azure or Google Cloud Platform
• Write clean, testable code and support CI/CD, observability, performance, and security
• Collaborate with engineering and product teams to deliver production-ready AI solutions

qualifications:

6+ years of professional software development experience

Strong hands-on experience with Java and Spring Boot

Experience building microservices, REST APIs, and distributed systems

Strong experience with Apache Kafka or similar event-driven technologies

Hands-on experience with NoSQL databases

Production experience integrating LLMs such as OpenAI, Azure OpenAI, Anthropic, or open-source models

Experience building Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) solutions

Familiarity with vector databases/vector search, such as Pinecone, Milvus, Qdrant, ChromaDB, or pgvector

Experience with cloud platforms, preferably Azure or Google Cloud Platform

Experience with Docker, Kubernetes, CI/CD, Git, and modern DevOps practices

skills:

DynamoDB,Apache,Kafka,Apache Kafka,Maven,OpenAI API,AI,AI capabilities,backend services,backend,build tools,caching,Cassandra,cloud,modern cloud,containerization,CI/CD,Cosmos DB,Couchbase,Cursor,data stores,Databases,Docker,Event-Driven Architecture,fault-tolerant,Generative AI,Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG),Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) pipelines,Git version control,GitHub Copilot,GitHub Actions,Gradle,Computer Science,Java,Core Java,Java applications,Jenkins,Kubernetes,LLM,Large Language Models,LLMs,model fine-tuning,asynchronous messaging,microservices,Azure,Microsoft Azure,MongoDB,AI Orchestration,NoSQL,NoSQL databases,open-source,productivity tools,prompt engineering,RESTful APIs,search algorithms,semantic search,software development,Software Engineering,Spring Boot,integrating,unstructured data,high-performance,architecture,architecting,automation,E-Commerce,infrastructure,pub/sub,Retail,security,Semantic,Backend Java,testable code,supply chain,System Design,Tooling

Equal Opportunity Employer: Race, Color, Religion, Sex, Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, National Origin, Age, Genetic Information, Disability, Protected Veteran Status, or any other legally protected group status.

At Randstad Digital, we welcome people of all abilities and want to ensure that our hiring and interview process meets the needs of all applicants. If you require a reasonable accommodation to make your application or interview experience a great one, please contact


Pay offered to a successful candidate will be based on several factors including the candidate's education, work experience, work location, specific job duties, certifications, etc. In addition, Randstad Digital offers a comprehensive benefits package, including: medical, prescription, dental, vision, AD&D, and life insurance offerings, short-term disability, and a 401K plan (all benefits are based on eligibility).

This posting is open for thirty (30) days.