Lead Backend Developer
We are seeking an experienced Lead Backend Developer to deliver enterprise-grade backend services for a mobile banking platform. This role uniquely combines hands-on technical development with team leadership, requiring a seasoned professional who can architect robust APIs whilst guiding a distributed development team to success.
Responsibilities
- Design and develop backend APIs and microservices for payment workflows utilizing Java and Spring Boot
- Migrate and refactor existing APIs to cloud-native architectures, ensuring API contract compatibility is maintained
- Implement security frameworks, authentication flows and Strong Customer Authentication (SCA) standards
- Ensure comprehensive error handling, data validation, effective caching strategies and seamless integration with external systems
- Conduct code reviews and establish backend development standards aligned with enterprise architecture
- Coordinate backend development activities, ensuring one-sprint lead ahead of frontend for API delivery
- Collaborate with Frontend Lead, QA Lead and Delivery Manager on cross-functional delivery
- Lead and mentor a team of backend developers across distributed locations
- Facilitate knowledge sharing, provide technical guidance and support team professional development
- Proactively identify and escalate blockers, ensuring backend deliverables are aligned to enable successful frontend integration
Requirements
- 8-10 years of experience in software development with minimum of 5 years of backend development in Java
- Expert-level proficiency in Java, Spring Boot and microservices architecture
- 3+ years of proven track record leading backend development teams in Agile/Scrum environments
- Enterprise API development experience in regulated industries (banking, financial services, or similar)
- Strong communication skills with the ability to balance technical delivery and team development
- Deep understanding of RESTful API design, security patterns and cloud-native development
- Experience with authentication frameworks, OAuth, JWT and Strong Customer Authentication (SCA)
- Proficiency with Git, CI/CD pipelines, containerisation (Docker/Kubernetes) and modern development tooling
- Knowledge of caching strategies, message queuing (Kafka preferred) and database integration
Nice to have
- Experience in banking domain workflows
- Experience migrating monolithic applications to a cloud-native microservices architecture
- Understanding of payment platforms, limits frameworks and product rules engines
We offer
- EPAM Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP)
- Protection benefits including life assurance, income protection and critical illness cover
- Private medical insurance and dental care
- Employee Assistance Program
- Competitive group pension plan
- Cyclescheme, Techscheme and season ticket loans
- Various perks such as free Wednesday lunch in-office, on-site massages and regular social events
- Learning and development opportunities including in-house training and coaching, professional certifications, over 22,000 courses on LinkedIn Learning Solutions and much more
- If otherwise eligible, participation in the discretionary annual bonus program
- If otherwise eligible and hired into a qualifying level, participation in the discretionary Long-Term Incentive (LTI) Program
- *All benefits and perks are subject to certain eligibility requirements