Lead Software Engineer

Lead Software Engineer About the Team The Group Benefits API Team is responsible for building and operating APIs and integrations that support Guardian’s Group Business. We enable core business capabilities such as Quote, Policy, Customer, Eligibility, and Claims through scalable, secure, and production‑ready APIs. Our APIs power end‑to‑end Group Business intake channels, including customer‑facing portal applications, call center platforms, IVR systems, and conversational interfaces such as chatbots—delivering a unified and seamless customer experience. Our team is growing, and we are seeking a Lead Software Engineer who is passionate about building robust platforms, enabling Agentic AI solutions, and creating meaningful impact through high‑quality software. You Are An experienced backend Lead Java Engineer with a proven track record of leading high‑performing teams and delivering high‑quality software at speed A hands‑on technologist with a strong foundation in computer science fundamentals and software development lifecycle (SDLC) best practices A collaborative leader who can work effectively across the enterprise with Architecture, Product, Platform, Security, and Production Support teams to deliver customer‑centric solutions You Will Lead an agile delivery team as part of an Agile Release Train (ART) Design and build well‑engineered, scalable, and production‑ready integration solutions Develop and enable APIs, events, and messaging‑based integrations using modern integration patterns Build and support robust MCP (Model Context Protocol) servers and API platforms that enable Agentic AI solutions within the insurance domain Collaborate closely with Business Partners and Solution Architects to align delivery with product roadmaps and architectural blueprints Mentor and coach engineers and analysts, assign work, conduct code reviews, and uphold engineering excellence Triage and resolve end‑to‑end system and integration issues across applications, middleware, and infrastructure You Have Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or a related field 15+ years of experience as a Java / J2EE software engineer Strong understanding of Agile and SAFe methodologies Expertise in Java Spring Boot, GraphQL, and Python Hands‑on experience delivering Agentic AI applications, including building scalable and resilient MCP servers Deep experience with RESTful API design, data‑driven design, microservices architecture, event‑driven architecture, and enterprise integration patterns Experience designing intuitive and developer‑friendly APIs using OpenAPI / Swagger specifications Experience integrating with messaging platforms such as ActiveMQ and IBM MQ Experience with Docker and AWS Cloud services, including S3, Lambda, SQS/SNS, and Redis Experience working with both SQL and NoSQL databases Hands‑on experience with Apache Camel, TIBCO BusinessWorks, MuleSoft, or similar EAI frameworks Experience with rules engines such as OpenL, Drools, or Blaze Strong experience with version control and CI/CD automation tools, including Git, Bitbucket, Jenkins, and Maven Experience implementing API security and access control using OAuth 2.0, JWT, and token‑based authentication Experience with monitoring and observability tools such as AppDynamics and Zenoss Salary Range: $118,980.00 - $195,465.00 The salary range reflected above is a good faith estimate of base pay for the primary location of the position. The salary for this position ultimately will be determined based on the education, experience, knowledge, and abilities of the successful candidate. In addition to salary, this role may also be eligible for annual, sales, or other incentive compensation. Our Promise At Guardian, you’ll have the support and flexibility to achieve your professional and personal goals. Through skill-building, leadership development and philanthropic opportunities, we provide opportunities to build communities and grow your career, surrounded by diverse colleagues with high ethical standards. Inspire Well-Being As part of Guardian’s Purpose – to inspire well-being – we are committed to offering contemporary, supportive, flexible, and inclusive benefits and resources to our colleagues. Explore our company benefits at Benefits apply to full-time eligible employees. Interns are not eligible for most Company benefits. Equal Employment Opportunity Guardian is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to age, race, color, creed, religion, sex, affectional or sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, marital status, disability, military or veteran status, or any other classification protected by applicable law. Accommodations Guardian is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. Guardian also provides reasonable accommodations to qualified job applicants (and employees) to accommodate the individual's known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, unless doing so would create an undue hardship. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact View email address on click.appcast.io. Please note: this resource is for accommodation requests only. For all other inquires related to your application and careers at Guardian, refer to the Guardian Careers site. Visa Sponsorship Guardian is not currently or in the foreseeable future sponsoring employment visas. In order to be a successful applicant. you must be legally authorized to work in the United States, without the need for employer sponsorship. Notice Regarding Guardian’s Use of Artificial Intelligence in Recruitment As part of Guardian’s job application process, Guardian may use artificial intelligence tools (“AI Tools") to automate the sorting and filtering of information provided by applicants as part of its preliminary screening. This preliminary screening may be used to help identify applicant materials and resumes relative to their indication that the applicant meets the requirements for the specific job for which they are applying, as specified in the listing posted on Guardian’s jobs website (Careers at Guardian at At Guardian, we do not use AI Tools to substantially assist or replace human judgment or discretionary decision making in our hiring process. All hiring decisions will be made by Guardian colleagues. Please be aware that if you apply for a specific position with Guardian, you will have the choice of opting out of Guardian’s use of AI Tools during the job application process. If you would like to request an alternative process that does not utilize AI Tools or would like to request a reasonable accommodation, within ten business days of your position application, you must email your request to View email address on click.appcast.io, making sure to provide your name and job requisition identification number. Guardian will retain your applicant materials and resume and all information therefrom in accordance with Guardian’s document retention policy, a copy of which you may request via View email address on click.appcast.io. Additionally, at applicable times, Guardian will make public the most recent bias audit results for such AI tools, which may be found here. Current Guardian Colleagues: Please apply through the internal Jobs Hub in Workday. Every day, Guardian helps our 29 million customers realize their dreams through a range of insurance and financial products and services. Our Purpose, to inspire well-being, guides our dedication to the colleagues, consumers, and communities we serve. We know that people count, and we go above and beyond to prepare them for the life they want to live, focusing on their overall well-being — mind, body, and wallet. As one of the largest mutual insurance companies, we put our customers first. Behind every bright future is a GuardianTM. Learn more about Guardian at guardianlife.com. Visa Sponsorship: Guardian Life is not currently or in the foreseeable future sponsoring employment visas. In order to be a successful applicant, you must be legally authorized to work in the United States, without the need for employer sponsorship.