Arlington , Virginia
|Hybrid
|Contract
Arlington, Virginia
|Hybrid
|Contract
We’re looking for a hands-on technical leader to help modernize and deliver enterprise-scale Java microservices solutions in a cloud-native environment. This role blends architecture, client-facing consulting, and engineering execution to support a high-impact modernization initiative focused on performance, resilience, and an improved user experience.
Responsibilities
- Lead the design, development, testing, deployment, and ongoing support of Java-based microservices and REST APIs.
- Contribute directly to architecture decisions, technical design documents, API contracts, and solution approach discussions.
- Guide modernization efforts across multiple services and business capabilities, balancing scalability, security, reliability, and maintainability.
- Partner with stakeholders to translate business needs into technical plans, estimates, risks, and measurable outcomes.
- Support discovery sessions, technical workshops, demos, and solution walkthroughs with client teams and internal partners.
- Serve as a technical escalation point for complex integration, cloud, and production issues, including root cause analysis and remediation.
- Mentor engineers through code reviews, design feedback, pairing, and structured problem-solving.
- Help drive quality and production readiness through testing, CI/CD practices, monitoring, and operational excellence.
- Support modernization approaches that use AI-assisted tools with human review, accountability, and validation.
- Collaborate effectively with distributed teams across different time zones and functions.
Skills
- Strong hands-on experience with Java, Spring Boot, Spring Cloud, REST APIs, and microservices architecture.
- Experience designing enterprise-scale solutions, including technical trade-offs, integration patterns, and non-functional requirements.
- Working knowledge of AWS and cloud-native application delivery.
- Experience with Docker and Kubernetes, including containerized deployment practices.
- Background in Kafka or other event-driven messaging patterns.
- Ability to communicate clearly with technical and non-technical stakeholders.
- Proven ability to lead delivery discussions, manage risks, and contribute to realistic estimates.
- Strong problem-solving, ownership, and decision-making skills.
- Experience supporting code quality, testing, and secure engineering practices.
- Ability to remain hands-on while guiding teams and driving technical outcomes.
Preferred Skills
- Experience in travel and hospitality or other large enterprise environments.
- Familiarity with Jenkins, GitHub workflows, SonarQube, and observability tools.
- Experience with AWS services such as Lambda, RDS, DynamoDB, or similar platforms.
- Knowledge of Terraform, Helm, OpenTelemetry, Prometheus, or Grafana.
- Exposure to IBM MQ, MuleSoft, API gateways, or enterprise integration patterns.
- Experience with cloud migration, platform modernization, or legacy-to-modern application programs.
- Comfort working in a consulting environment with frequent collaboration and stakeholder engagement.
- Experience using AI-enabled engineering tools in a thoughtful, controlled, and validated way.
- Background in technical mentorship, interviewing, or capability development.
Horizontal Talent is committed to building inclusive teams and fostering a workplace where people of different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives can contribute and succeed. We value equity, respect, and belonging, and we welcome candidates who are excited to grow in a collaborative environment.
By applying for this position, you acknowledge and agree that Horizontal Talent may contact you regarding your application using automated technology, including phone calls, SMS/text messages, or email, which may be delivered by our virtual AI recruiter, Alex.
Please apply through this online posting or by visiting our Job Board at www.horizontaltalent.com/job-board. Applications will be accepted for 4 weeks. For those that join the team, we offer competitive compensation and benefits including medical, dental, vision, and retirement. Check out all we have to offer and how you can become part of the Horizontal Talent Team. The pay range for this role is $37 - $71 per hour based on qualifications and experience.
Horizontal is committed to taking affirmative action to employ and advance in employment qualified individuals with disabilities and protected veterans. If you are an individual with a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to complete any part of the application process or participate in the interview process, click here to request accommodation assistance.
All applicants applying must be legally authorized to work in the country of employment.