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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Build and deploy cutting-edge APIs and microservices using modern Java.
- Company: Join a diverse tech company that values innovation and collaboration.
- Benefits: Competitive daily rate, remote work flexibility, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Embrace a culture of respect and inclusivity while advancing your career.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by engineering solutions in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Hands-on experience with Java 17/21+, Spring Boot, and CI/CD practices.
Rate: £500 - £575 a day pay inside
Location: Remote, with expectations to attend onsite meetings when required (1-2 a month)
Duration: 6 months+
We are looking for a hands-on Senior Backend Java Engineer with recent experience building, testing, and deploying production-grade APIs and microservices. This is a coding-first backend role. We want someone actively engineering in their current or most recent role, not someone whose recent experience is mainly support, coordination, architecture-only, or line management.
Essential skills and experience
- Strong hands-on commercial coding experience with modern Java (Java v17 min, v21 LTS or newer preferred)
- Strong experience with Spring Boot
- Experience building REST APIs / microservices from scratch
- Strong testing skills using JUnit, Mockito, and ideally TDD
- Experience with PostgreSQL or another relational SQL database
- Experience with Docker
- Experience with CI/CD pipelines (e.g. Jenkins, GitHub Actions, GitLab CI, Azure DevOps)
- Comfortable working in agile, cross-functional teams
- Has current SC clearance, or is willing and eligible to undergo SC clearance
Desirable
- OpenAPI / Swagger
- Liquibase or Flyway
- Gradle
- Kafka
- Observability / monitoring experience
- Exposure to Kubernetes
- Some awareness of React / TypeScript
What we need from candidates
- Built backend services or APIs themselves
- Worked on microservice-based systems
- Written automated tests as part of delivery
- Used Docker and CI/CD in practice
- Stayed technically current with modern Java and Spring Boot
Non-negotiables
- Recent hands-on Java backend coding experience
- Built Spring Boot APIs/services from scratch
- Used Java 17/21+ in recent roles
- Written unit/integration tests
- Worked with SQL databases
- Used Docker and CI/CD
- Has SC clearance, or is willing and eligible to obtain it
- Ability to complete a practical coding assessment
Profiles unlikely to be a fit
- Production support / L3 support
- Bug fixing only
- Release or process coordination
- Line management with limited coding
- Architecture / governance without recent delivery
- Legacy Java maintenance without clear modern backend engineering experience
Recruiter screening questions
- What Java version has the candidate used most recently?
- Are they currently hands-on coding?
- Have they built a Spring Boot API/service from scratch in the last 5 years?
- What testing do they write personally?
- What database have they used most recently?
- Have they used Liquibase or Flyway?
- What CI/CD tooling have they used hands-on?
- Have they used Docker hands-on?
- Have they worked mainly on microservices or monoliths?
- Do they already hold SC clearance, or are they willing and eligible to obtain it?
- Are they comfortable with a practical coding exercise?
Short recruiter summary
We need a genuinely hands-on Senior Backend Java Engineer with recent Java 17/21+ and Spring Boot experience, who has built APIs/microservices from scratch, writes automated tests, has worked with PostgreSQL, Docker, and CI/CD, and either already holds SC clearance or is willing and eligible to obtain it.
Reasonable Adjustments:
Respect and equality are core values to us. We are proud of the diverse and inclusive community we have built, and we welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and perspectives. Our success is driven by our people, united by the spirit of partnership to deliver the best resourcing solutions for our clients.
If you need any help or adjustments during the recruitment process for any reason, please let us know when you apply or talk to the recruiters directly so we can support you.
Senior Backend Java Engineer in London employer: Sanderson
Contact Detail:
Sanderson Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Backend Java Engineer in London
✨Tip Number 1
Get your coding skills sharp! Since this role is all about hands-on Java and Spring Boot, make sure you're up to speed with the latest versions. Brush up on building REST APIs and microservices, as you'll want to showcase your practical experience during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice makes perfect! Before your interview, try out some coding challenges or mock assessments. This will not only help you get comfortable with the practical coding assessment but also boost your confidence when discussing your recent projects.
✨Tip Number 3
Network like a pro! Connect with other backend engineers and industry professionals on platforms like LinkedIn. Engaging in discussions about modern Java practices or sharing your experiences can open doors and lead to potential job opportunities.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We love seeing candidates who are genuinely interested in joining us. Make sure to highlight your hands-on experience with Java, Spring Boot, and CI/CD tools in your application, so we can see how you fit into our team.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Backend Java Engineer in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Coding Skills: Make sure to highlight your hands-on experience with Java, especially versions 17 or 21. We want to see that you've been actively coding and building APIs or microservices, so don’t hold back on showcasing your recent projects!
Be Specific About Your Experience: When detailing your experience, focus on the specifics of what you’ve built. Mention the frameworks you’ve used, like Spring Boot, and any testing methodologies you’ve applied, such as TDD. This helps us understand your technical depth.
Don’t Forget the Tools: List out the tools and technologies you’ve worked with, especially Docker and CI/CD pipelines. We love seeing candidates who are comfortable with modern development practices, so make sure these are front and centre in your application.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Sanderson
✨Know Your Java Inside Out
Make sure you're up to speed with the latest Java versions, especially 17 and 21. Brush up on your coding skills and be ready to discuss your recent hands-on experience with Java in detail. They’ll want to know how you’ve applied it in real projects.
✨Showcase Your API Building Skills
Prepare to talk about specific APIs or microservices you've built from scratch. Be ready to explain the challenges you faced and how you overcame them. If you can, bring examples of your work or even a demo to show off your skills.
✨Testing is Key
Since testing is a big part of this role, be prepared to discuss your experience with JUnit, Mockito, and TDD. Have some examples ready where you wrote automated tests and how they improved the quality of your code.
✨Familiarise Yourself with CI/CD Tools
Get comfortable discussing your experience with CI/CD pipelines like Jenkins or GitHub Actions. Be ready to explain how you’ve integrated these tools into your workflow and how they’ve helped streamline your development process.