At a Glance
- Tasks: Optimise performance of complex distributed systems in the utilities sector.
- Company: Dynamic UK-based tech company focused on innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive pay up to €60/h, fully remote work, and flexible engagement.
- Other info: Join a challenging project with potential for future engagements.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on critical production systems while working with cutting-edge technology.
- Qualifications: Extensive Scala experience and expert knowledge of the Akka ecosystem required.
The predicted salary is between 50 - 60 € per hour.
We are looking for a Senior / Principal Akka Consultant for a short-term consulting project with a UK-based technology company in the utilities sector. The role focuses on performance analysis and optimization of a complex distributed system supporting electricity, gas, and water markets. The client’s systems handle tens of millions of metering points and process millions of records daily, requiring high performance, reliability, and scalability. This is ideal for an experienced freelancer ready to make a real impact on a critical production system.
Responsibilities
- Conduct independent audits, profiling, and performance optimization of distributed systems
- Identify and eliminate bottlenecks, memory leaks, and CPU issues
- Refactor technical debt and resolve architectural problems
- Modernize legacy code patterns, such as implementing Akka Typed
- Implement basic monitoring and improve observability
- Mentor the client’s development team, guiding them in best practices for working with Akka
Requirements
Must-Have
- Extensive commercial experience in Scala
- Expert knowledge of the Akka ecosystem, including Akka Actors (including older Classic 2.6.x versions), Akka Persistence, and Akka Cluster
- Strong skills in multithreading, dispatcher configuration, and serialization
- Experience in systems processing large volumes of background data
- Ability to profile JVM applications (Java 8 / Java 11+)
- Consulting experience and independence - capable of acting as the main problem-solver, proactively delivering value, and advising on architectural solutions
- Excellent communication skills in English, essential for daily collaboration with business and technical stakeholders
Nice-to-Have
- Experience with Akka 3 (Akka Workflows) or Apache Pekko
- Knowledge of AWS (EC2) for diagnosing infrastructure-level performance issues
Project Details
- Location: 100% Remote
- Client: UK
- Rate: up to €60/h
- Start: ASAP
- Engagement: preferably full-time (minimum 0.5 FTE)
- Duration: 1–3 months, with possible occasional returns to the project
This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced consultant or freelancer to join a technically challenging project and make a real impact on the performance of a critical production system. If this sounds like you, don’t hesitate – apply now!
Senior / Principal Akka Consultant employer: Scalac
Join a forward-thinking UK-based technology company in the utilities sector, where your expertise as a Senior / Principal Akka Consultant will be valued and impactful. Enjoy the flexibility of remote work while collaborating with a dynamic team dedicated to optimising critical systems that support essential services like electricity, gas, and water. With opportunities for professional growth and the chance to mentor others, this role offers a rewarding environment for those looking to make a significant difference in a high-performance setting.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior / Principal Akka Consultant
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the tech industry, especially those who work with Akka or in the utilities sector. A friendly chat can lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Prepare a portfolio or case studies showcasing your experience with performance analysis and optimisation. When you get the chance to chat with potential clients, let them see how you’ve tackled similar challenges before.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! If you spot any issues or areas for improvement in a company’s current systems during your research, mention them in your conversations. This shows you’re already thinking about how to add value before you even start.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We make it super easy for you to find roles that match your skills. Plus, we’re always on the lookout for top talent like you, so don’t miss out on the chance to land that dream project!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior / Principal Akka Consultant
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV highlights your extensive experience with Scala and the Akka ecosystem. We want to see how your skills align with the performance analysis and optimization tasks mentioned in the job description.
Showcase Your Consulting Experience:Since this role requires independence and problem-solving skills, include examples of past consulting projects where you’ve made a significant impact. We love seeing how you've guided teams and resolved architectural issues!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to tell us why you're the perfect fit for this role. Mention your experience with multithreading and JVM profiling, and how you can help modernise legacy code patterns. Make it personal and engaging!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Scalac
✨Know Your Akka Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of the Akka ecosystem, especially Akka Actors and Akka Persistence. Be ready to discuss how you've tackled performance issues in the past and share specific examples of optimising distributed systems.
✨Showcase Your Consulting Experience
Highlight your independence and problem-solving skills during the interview. Prepare to discuss situations where you've proactively delivered value and advised on architectural solutions, as this will demonstrate your capability to mentor the client’s development team effectively.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect deep technical questions about multithreading, dispatcher configuration, and JVM profiling. Practise explaining complex concepts clearly, as excellent communication is key when collaborating with both business and technical stakeholders.
✨Demonstrate Your Impact
Be ready to talk about your previous projects and the tangible impacts you've made, especially in terms of performance optimisation and scalability. Use metrics or outcomes to illustrate your contributions, as this will help you stand out as a candidate who can make a real difference.
