Sr. Software Development Engineer - Distributed Systems ( Java/ Scala)

About The Role We are looking for a full stack Software Development Engineer with a strong backend focus to join the App Hub team. In this role, you will spend the majority of your time designing, building, and operating production microservices on AWS and Kubernetes that serve as the foundation for Workday's Extend developer ecosystem. You will own services end-to-end, from design and implementation through production reliability, and build frontend interfaces where the work requires it. Responsibilities Collaborate with peers, product owners, and designers to design, build, test, and deliver high-quality software to Workday's growing developer community Design and implement scalable, resilient microservices on AWS with Kubernetes Write clear, efficient, and maintainable code and participate actively in design and code reviews Build frontend interfaces as required to deliver complete, production-ready features Own services through their full lifecycle, including incident response, root cause analysis, and ongoing reliability improvements Discover and troubleshoot issues with existing architecture and code Support release planning by providing detailed estimates of effort, risk, and priority in an agile environment Contribute to team productivity, tooling, and process improvements About You This section highlights the core attributes and experience you bring to the team. Basic Qualifications Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or equivalent practical experience. 8+ years of professional software engineering experience, with a focus on designing, building, and maintaining scalable, high-availability distributed backend systems, complemented by hands‑on proficiency in modern frontend frameworks like React. 8+ years of experience with object-oriented or functional design and programming with Java or Go. 5+ years of experience building, operating, and optimizing products in cloud environments (AWS preferred/GCP/Azure), including expertise with cloud development tools (e.g., S3, Lambda, EC2, CloudFront, SQS, SNS, DynamoDB, and MySQL) and Kubernetes. 5+ years of hands‑on experience with containerization and orchestration technologies, specifically Docker and Kubernetes. 5+ years of experience delivering and supporting cloud-based production services.

1. years experience with AI‑assisted development tools (e.g., Cursor, Claude Code, GitHub Copilot), including the ability to direct, review, and validate AI‑generated code.
2. years of full‑stack experience, including hands‑on development of modern frontend user interfaces using frameworks like React, Angular, or Vue.

1+ years experience driving innovation by integrating AI capabilities and applying Responsible AI principles to build scalable software solutions. 1+ years experience with modern architectural standards, including Model Context Protocol (MCP), to support a spec‑driven development approach. Other Qualifications Advanced Backend Programming: Strong proficiency in Java, with a deep understanding of core design patterns, clean code practices, and distributed systems. High Availability & Distributed Architecture: Proven ability to design and maintain resilient, highly available distributed subsystems, ensuring strong operational performance and reliability. API Development & Spec‑Driven Development: Deep expertise in API development and contract management, alongside a good understanding of modern architectural standards and protocols (such as Model Context Protocol (MCP)) to support a spec‑driven development approach. Algorithmic Thinking & Complex Problem Solving: Strong algorithmic thinking and analytical skills, with a proven track record of translating complex product requirements into optimized, scalable code. Full‑Stack Competency: Strong working knowledge of modern frontend architectures and state management patterns (e.g., in React or TypeScript), allowing for seamless full‑stack feature delivery. Passion for Service Ownership: A strong technical stewardship mindset, taking pride in end‑to‑end service ownership, test automation, and the operational health of your services in production. AI Integration & Productivity: Hands‑on experience integrating AI capabilities into software solutions, coupled with a high proficiency in utilizing AI‑augmented development workflows to accelerate delivery. CI/CD & Automation: Experience building and maintaining modern CI/CD pipelines, automated end‑to‑end (E2E) testing frameworks, and cloud‑native monitoring/observability tools. Product Collaboration: Proven ability to partner closely with Product Managers, UX designers, and engineering peers to refine requirements and break down complex features into actionable sprint tasks. Effective Communication: Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to articulate technical trade‑offs clearly to both technical teammates and non‑technical stakeholders. Agile Execution: Success navigating and delivering high‑quality software features within fast‑paced, collaborative, and agile engineering environments. Cloud Infrastructure & Efficiency: Lead cloud infrastructure efficiency and cost optimization initiatives, particularly across large‑scale AWS & GCP deployments, ensuring architectural decisions balance high performance with financial scalability. Workday Pay Transparency Statement The annualized base salary ranges for the primary location and any additional locations are listed below. Workday pay ranges vary based on work location. As a part of the total compensation package, this role may be eligible for the Workday Bonus Plan or a role‑specific commission/bonus, as well as annual refresh stock grants. Each candidate’s compensation offer will be based on multiple factors including, but not limited to, geography, experience, skills, job duties, and business need, among other things. For more information regarding Workday’s comprehensive benefits, please click here. Primary Location: USA.GA.Atlanta Primary Location Base Pay Range: $168,500 USD - $252,700 USD Additional US Location(s) Base Pay Range: $160,100 USD - $285,100 USD Our Approach to Flexible Work With Flex Work, we’re combining the best of both worlds: in‑person time and remote. Our approach enables our teams to deepen connections, maintain a strong community, and do their best work. We know that flexibility can take shape in many ways, so rather than a number of required days in‑office each week, we simply spend at least half (50%) of our time each quarter in the office or in the field with our customers, prospects, and partners (depending on role). This means you'll have the freedom to create a flexible schedule that caters to your business, team, and personal needs, while being intentional to make the most of time spent together. Those in our remote "home office" roles also have the opportunity to come together in our offices for important moments that matter. Pursuant to applicable Fair Chance law, Workday will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. Workday is an Equal Opportunity Employer including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans. At Workday, we are committed to providing an accessible and inclusive hiring experience where all candidates can fully demonstrate their skills. If you require assistance or an accommodation at any point, please email View email address on click.appcast.io. #J-18808-Ljbffr Workday