Senior Java Developer

Job Description

Job Description

About Us

For more than three decades, Strategic Data Systems (SDS) has been a software consultancy firm specializing in strategy, technology, and business transformation for Fortune 100 companies, mid-sized firms, and startups. At SDS, we empower our development teams to address our clients’ critical business challenges by leveraging cutting edge technologies. If you seek a workplace where your contributions are truly appreciated, then SDS is the company for you. Join us today to work alongside fellow development specialists and become a crucial part of our dynamic and cohesive community.

Role Overview

We are seeking a Senior Software Engineer with strong Java, Spring Boot, Vue.js, and PrimeVue experience to support a cloud-native software development environment and help advance AI-assisted engineering practices. This is a hands-on, full-stack development position for an experienced engineer who can contribute across complex applications while providing technical guidance, mentorship, and leadership within collaborative engineering teams.

Java, Spring Boot, and Vue.js are core technical priorities, with particular emphasis on PrimeVue experience for front-end development. We are particularly interested in engineers who are AI-forward, actively incorporating AI-assisted development and agentic coding tools into their professional workflows. Claude Code experience is highly preferred, along with GitHub Copilot.

The right person will be comfortable working across large, polyglot codebases, embracing Extreme Programming (XP) practices, and helping teams adopt modern engineering approaches. This role requires someone who can independently solve complex technical problems while influencing how software is designed, developed, tested, and delivered.

What You'll Do

• Design, develop, test, and maintain cloud-native applications using Java, Spring Boot, Vue.js, and PrimeVue.
• Build and support backend services, APIs, and full-stack application functionality.
• Develop reusable front-end components and application interfaces using Vue.js and PrimeVue.
• Contribute to large, complex codebases involving multiple programming languages, frameworks, and architectural patterns.
• Collaborate closely with engineers, architects, and technical leaders to establish architectural patterns, design principles, and implementation standards.
• Apply AI-assisted development tools throughout the software engineering lifecycle to improve productivity, code quality, and delivery.
• Champion AI-first engineering practices, including agentic development approaches, emerging tools, and responsible implementation standards.
• Help establish repeatable practices and guardrails for AI-assisted software development.
• Participate in collaborative engineering practices, including pair programming, Test-Driven Development (TDD), and continuous feedback.
• Design, implement, and maintain unit tests, acceptance tests, and automated testing solutions.
• Troubleshoot complex application and production issues using logs, metrics, and other diagnostic information.
• Contribute to CI/CD pipelines and automated deployment processes using GitHub Actions and related tools.
• Work with relational databases, NoSQL databases, and supporting technologies such as Redis and RabbitMQ.
• Support applications running on cloud-native platforms such as Azure, Kubernetes, or Tanzu Application Service.
• Research complex technical challenges, evaluate potential solutions, and make informed architectural and implementation decisions.
• Provide technical mentorship and knowledge sharing to other engineers.
• Help teams adopt new technologies, development practices, and AI-enabled workflows.
• Partner with stakeholders to understand business requirements, define technical solutions, and estimate development work.
• Take ownership of technical deliverables while adapting to changing priorities and project needs.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum 8 years of professional software development experience, with 8–10+ years preferred.
• Strong hands-on Java development experience.
• Strong hands-on Spring Boot experience.
• Strong Vue.js development experience.
• Experience developing modern front-end applications using PrimeVue.
• Strong backend development experience with the ability to contribute across the full application stack.
• Experience developing, maintaining, and troubleshooting complex enterprise applications.
• Ability to navigate large, polyglot codebases and contribute effectively across different technologies.
• Experience with cloud-native application development and modern software engineering practices.
• Experience using AI-assisted development tools within professional engineering workflows.
• Strong understanding of software architecture, design principles, and development best practices.
• Experience with automated testing and willingness to embrace Test-Driven Development.
• Experience with Git, collaborative development workflows, and CI/CD practices.
• Strong troubleshooting, analytical, and problem-solving capabilities.
• Ability to independently research complex problems and translate findings into actionable solutions.
• Experience providing technical mentorship or guidance to other engineers.
• Strong communication, collaboration, and feedback skills.
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities, emerging technologies, and evolving engineering practices.

Highly Preferred Qualifications

• Claude Code experience, particularly agentic development workflows.
• GitHub Copilot experience, including CLI-based workflows.
• Experience using AI tools strategically across design, development, testing, debugging, and delivery.
• Experience with Extreme Programming (XP) practices.
• Experience working in pair programming environments.
• Hands-on Test-Driven Development (TDD) experience.
• Experience with Azure, Kubernetes, Pivotal Cloud Foundry, or Tanzu Application Service.
• Experience building and maintaining CI/CD pipelines using GitHub Actions.
• Experience with Redis, RabbitMQ, relational databases, or NoSQL databases.
• Experience establishing architectural standards and improving engineering practices across teams.
• Experience influencing technical decisions and driving adoption of new development approaches.

Nice to Have

• Python development experience.
• Professional experience within the insurance industry.
• Experience working across both Java/Spring Boot and .NET application environments.
• Experience with IntelliJ, VS Code, Visual Studio, ReSharper, or Rider.
• Experience supporting complex distributed systems.
• Experience mentoring engineers through technology or process changes.
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or equivalent professional experience.

What Makes Someone Successful in This Role?

This position is particularly well suited for an experienced software engineer who enjoys building applications hands-on while helping other engineers improve how they work.

You should be comfortable moving between backend Java/Spring Boot development and front-end Vue.js/PrimeVue development, understanding how application components fit together, and making sound technical decisions across the full stack.

We want someone who sees AI as a meaningful evolution in software engineering rather than simply another productivity tool. Engineers who can demonstrate how they've used Claude Code, GitHub Copilot, or agentic AI workflows to improve development efficiency, testing, troubleshooting, or delivery will stand out.

The ideal candidate embraces collaboration, pair programming, continuous feedback, and modern testing practices. You should be willing to challenge established approaches constructively, experiment with emerging technologies, and help colleagues become more effective.

The goal is not simply to bring in a senior developer who can deliver features independently. We need someone who can combine strong Java/Spring Boot and Vue.js/PrimeVue development skills with AI-forward thinking, technical mentorship, and the ability to influence how engineering teams build software.

What You’ll Get

SDS, Inc. provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.

• Competitive base salary
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage
• Optional life and disability insurance provided
• 401(k) with a company match and optional profit sharing
• Paid vacation time
• Paid Bench time
• Training allowance offering
• You’ll be eligible to earn referral bonuses!

Location: Hybrid – 2 days per week onsite in downtown, cincinnati

Work Authorization: U.S. Citizens, Green Card holders, or OPT. H1-B requires leadership approval. No C2C.