Java Software Engineer Java, Integration, Kafka

Location: London, United Kingdom (Hybrid - Minimum 2 days onsite/week)?? Start Date: Immediate? Engagement Type: Contract - Outside IR35, 12-month initial term (with potential for extension or permanent employment) Industry: Financial Services / Technology Consulting

We are seeking a highly skilled Backend Engineer to join a newly established Centre of Excellence (CoE) focused on delivering secure, scalable, and production-grade digital solutions for the financial services sector.

This is a hands-on engineering role ideal for someone with deep expertise in Java, Spring Boot, and secure API design, and who thrives in fast-paced, client-facing environments. The successful candidate will play a key role in shaping backend architecture, driving secure service delivery, and contributing to engineering standards across engagements.

• Design and develop backend services using Java and Spring Boot
• Architect and implement secure APIs using OAuth2, FAPI, OpenID Connect
• Ensure backend services are performant, scalable, and resilient
• Collaborate with frontend, DevOps, and QA teams to deliver integrated solutions
• Participate in architecture reviews, technical design sessions, and stakeholder workshops
• Champion modern engineering practices including Agile, CI/CD, and DevSecOps
• Contribute to the development of reusable backend assets and CoE standards

• Extensive hands-on experience with Java and Spring Boot in enterprise environments
• Proven expertise in designing and delivering secure APIs (OAuth2, FAPI, OpenID Connect)
• Strong understanding of microservices architecture and distributed systems
• Experience working in regulated environments (banking, fintech, insurance)
• Familiarity with CI/CD pipelines, Docker, and cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure)
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills
• Experience working in or contributing to a Centre of Excellence team
• Consulting experience or a strong consulting mindset is highly desirable

• Experience with event-driven architectures and messaging systems (e.g., Kafka)
• Exposure to Infrastructure as Code (e.g., Terraform, Ansible)
• Familiarity with observability tools and performance tuning
• Ability to mentor junior engineers and lead backend design initiatives

• Outside IR35
• 12-month initial contract with potential for extension or permanent employment
• Hybrid working model: minimum 2 days onsite in London, with flexibility to travel to other UK client sites as required
• Part of a long-term strategic capability within a joint consulting and technology delivery partnership
• This is a strategic, reusable engineering role

• A high-impact role within a purpose-built Centre of Excellence
• Opportunities to work on complex, high-value projects in the financial services sector
• A collaborative, delivery-focused culture committed to engineering excellence
• Long-term career development within a respected and expanding consulting capability

Interested? Apply now or reach out directly for a confidential conversation.