Backend Java Developer - Birmingham • Hybrid • £50–65k • Not London
Backend Java Developer - Birmingham • Hybrid • £50–65k • Not London

Backend Java Developer - Birmingham • Hybrid • £50–65k • Not London

Full-Time 50000 - 65000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
NextWave Consulting

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Build core backend services in Java for data governance and query manipulation.
  • Company: Innovative tech firm based in Birmingham with a hybrid work model.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, and opportunities for professional growth.
  • Other info: Dynamic environment with a focus on performance and reliability.
  • Why this job: Join a cutting-edge team and work on impactful data infrastructure projects.
  • Qualifications: Strong Java experience and knowledge of SQL parsing and optimization.

The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.

Location: Birmingham (Hybrid)

Employment: Fixed Term Contract

Salary: £50,000 – £65,000 base (dependent on experience)

If your idea of backend engineering is more than CRUD APIs and microservices boilerplate — this role is for you. We’re building the core backend services of a Data Fabric platform that governs data access, entitlements, and query policy enforcement across distributed enterprise data systems. This is platform engineering: deterministic rule engines, SQL planning/interception, and high-throughput services that sit on the critical path of data access. This is deep backend + data infrastructure work.

What You’ll Do

  • Build core backend services in Java (17/21) for access control and query manipulation
  • Implement deterministic policy / rule engines for data governance
  • Work on SQL parsing, planning, validation, and transformation (e.g., Calcite or similar planners)
  • Integrate with distributed data platforms / query engines (e.g., Starburst or similar)
  • Own API contracts with living documentation in CI/CD
  • Build production-grade, testable pipelines
  • Drive observability, reliability, and performance
  • Contribute to architecture decisions (modularity, DI, extensibility)

What You Bring (Must-Have)

  • Strong hands-on experience in Java (17/21) + Spring
  • Deep understanding of JDBC, SQL parsing/validation, query planning/optimization
  • Experience with SQL planners or query transformation layers
  • Strong grounding in data structures, algorithms, and backend performance
  • Production-grade testing using JUnit 5, Mockito
  • Experience with clean architecture, DI, modular design
  • Comfortable owning CI/CD, code quality, observability
  • Familiarity with Docker, Maven, Jenkins

Nice to Have

  • Apache Calcite
  • Starburst or federated query engines
  • JVM performance tuning
  • High-throughput service interfaces (REST/gRPC)
  • Data governance or policy enforcement layers

This Role Is Ideal If You’ve Worked On

  • Data platforms, governance layers, query engines, or SQL planners
  • Backend/platform services that sit in the critical path of data access
  • Systems where correctness, determinism, and performance matter

Backend Java Developer - Birmingham • Hybrid • £50–65k • Not London employer: NextWave Consulting

Join a forward-thinking company in Birmingham that values innovation and technical excellence, offering a hybrid work environment that promotes work-life balance. With competitive salaries and a focus on employee growth, you'll have the opportunity to work on cutting-edge backend services while collaborating with a talented team dedicated to pushing the boundaries of data infrastructure. Experience a culture that encourages creativity, continuous learning, and meaningful contributions to impactful projects.
NextWave Consulting

Contact Detail:

NextWave Consulting Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Backend Java Developer - Birmingham • Hybrid • £50–65k • Not London

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the tech world, especially those who work in backend development. Attend meetups or webinars related to Java and data platforms; you never know who might have a lead on that perfect job!

Tip Number 2

Show off your skills! Create a GitHub repository showcasing your projects, especially those involving Java, SQL parsing, or backend services. This gives potential employers a taste of what you can do and sets you apart from the crowd.

Tip Number 3

Prepare for technical interviews by brushing up on your Java and SQL knowledge. Practice coding challenges and system design questions that focus on backend architecture. We recommend using platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to sharpen your skills.

Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search!

We think you need these skills to ace Backend Java Developer - Birmingham • Hybrid • £50–65k • Not London

Java (17/21)
Spring
JDBC
SQL Parsing
Query Planning
Query Optimization
Data Structures
Algorithms
Production-grade Testing (JUnit 5, Mockito)
Clean Architecture
Dependency Injection (DI)
Modular Design
CI/CD
Docker
Maven
Jenkins

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Off Your Java Skills: Make sure to highlight your hands-on experience with Java, especially versions 17 and 21. We want to see how you've tackled backend challenges and built robust services, so don’t hold back on the details!

Talk About Your Data Experience: Since this role dives deep into data governance and query manipulation, share any relevant projects or experiences you’ve had with SQL parsing, planning, or working with distributed data platforms. We love seeing how you’ve made an impact in these areas!

Keep It Clean and Structured: We appreciate a well-organised application! Use clear headings and bullet points to make your skills and experiences stand out. This shows us you value clean architecture and modular design, which is exactly what we’re looking for.

Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we love seeing candidates who follow instructions!

How to prepare for a job interview at NextWave Consulting

Know Your Java Inside Out

Make sure you brush up on your Java skills, especially versions 17 and 21. Be ready to discuss your hands-on experience with Spring and how you've tackled complex backend challenges in previous roles.

Understand the Data Landscape

Familiarise yourself with SQL parsing, planning, and validation. Be prepared to talk about any experience you have with SQL planners or query transformation layers, as this will be crucial for the role.

Showcase Your Testing Skills

Highlight your experience with production-grade testing using JUnit 5 and Mockito. Bring examples of how you've ensured code quality and reliability in your past projects.

Be Ready for Architecture Discussions

Think about your contributions to architecture decisions in previous roles. Be prepared to discuss modularity, dependency injection, and extensibility, as these are key aspects of the position.

Backend Java Developer - Birmingham • Hybrid • £50–65k • Not London
NextWave Consulting

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