Principal Java Engineering Lead (FTE / Hybrid) at NTT DATA, Inc. in San Leandro, US-CA, United States

Job description

• The Principal Engineer will provide technical leadership in the design, development, and operationalisation of enterprise software platforms, with a focus on Java Full Stack engineering, API and microservices architecture, and cloud-native development. Responsibilities include leading the development of scalable, secure solutions, integrating AI-powered tools, and ensuring compliance with enterprise standards. The role requires over 10 years of software engineering experience, 8+ years with RESTful APIs and microservices, and expertise in Java/J2EE, Spring Boot, Spring Framework, cloud platforms, and CI/CD. Candidates must have hands-on experience with AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud, containerisation, orchestration, and Agile methodologies. Preferred qualifications include experience with AWS EKS, Apigee, Oracle, Generative AI, and advanced integration patterns.
• Req ID: 390363
• NTT DATA strives to hire exceptional, innovative and passionate individuals who want to grow with us. If you want to be part of an inclusive, adaptable, and forward-thinking organization, apply now.
• We are currently seeking a Principal Java Engineering Lead (FTE / Hybrid) to join our team in San Leandro, California (US-CA), United States (US).
• The Principal Engineer provides hands-on technical leadership for the design, development, integration, and operationalization of enterprise software platforms, with primary emphasis on Java Full Stack engineering, API and microservices architecture, cloud-native development, and modern DevSecOps practices. This role also drives the adoption of Generative AI and AI-assisted engineering capabilities across the Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC), serving as a technical leader for innovation while ensuring alignment with enterprise architecture, security, compliance, and operational standards.
• The ideal candidate is a seasoned engineer and architect with deep expertise in Java, Spring Boot, REST APIs, microservices, cloud platforms, CI/CD, and modern application development frameworks. Additionally, the candidate should possess experience integrating AI-powered developer productivity tools, automation platforms, and emerging AI engineering capabilities to enhance software delivery, quality, and operational efficiency.

Responsibilities

• Java Full Stack Architecture & Engineering Leadership
• Lead the design, development, testing, deployment, and support of enterprise-scale Java Full Stack applications, APIs, and microservices.
• Architect and implement scalable, secure, resilient, and high-performing solutions using Java/J2EE, Spring Boot, Spring Framework, and cloud-native technologies.
• Define and enforce engineering standards, coding practices, reusable frameworks, reference architectures, and implementation patterns.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to gather requirements, estimate work, refine user stories, and translate business needs into technical solutions.
• Design and develop RESTful APIs, service integrations, and enterprise application interfaces.
• Partner with front-end teams to deliver seamless integration between user interfaces and backend services.
• Ensure API design follows industry best practices, including documentation, governance, security, versioning, monitoring, and observability.
• Lead architecture reviews, technical design sessions, solution validation, and production readiness activities.
• Mentor engineers and provide technical leadership across development teams.
• Application Development & Delivery
• Develop, test, deploy, and maintain enterprise applications using Java 8+, Spring Boot, Spring Batch, and microservices architecture.
• Design and implement microservice patterns including API gateways, service discovery, configuration management, and distributed system integrations.
• Build integrations using messaging and event-driven platforms such as Kafka, RabbitMQ, ActiveMQ, or AMQP.
• Develop innovative and reusable software components that improve development efficiency and maintainability.
• Troubleshoot complex production issues and drive root-cause analysis and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Manage code quality, security, and technical debt through automated testing and code review practices.
• AI Engineering & Developer Productivity Enablement
• Support the adoption and integration of Generative AI, AI-assisted software engineering tools, and developer productivity platforms across the SDLC.
• Evaluate and implement AI-enabled engineering capabilities that improve quality, productivity, testing, documentation, and delivery outcomes.
• Help define enterprise integration patterns for AI engineering tools, APIs, agent-based automation platforms, and Model Context Protocol (MCP) services.
• Collaborate with architecture, platform engineering, security, and development teams to operationalize AI-enabled workflows.
• Identify opportunities to leverage AI technologies for automation, code generation, testing acceleration, documentation, and engineering efficiency.
• Ensure AI-enabled solutions align with enterprise security, governance, compliance, and risk management requirements.
• Quality Engineering, Security & Governance
• Champion Test-Driven Development (TDD), automated testing, and quality-first engineering practices.
• Develop and execute unit, integration, functional, performance, and end-to-end test strategies.
• Utilize tools and frameworks including JUnit, Mockito, Cucumber, Test API, FitNesse, Protractor, and related testing platforms.
• Implement secure coding standards and ensure compliance with enterprise security policies.
• Drive security integration across the SDLC through code scanning, vulnerability management, and software supply chain governance.
• Partner with cybersecurity, risk, compliance, and operations teams to ensure production-ready solutions.
• Cross-Functional Leadership
• Act as a trusted technical advisor to engineering leadership, architects, product teams, and business stakeholders.
• Influence enterprise technology strategy, modernization initiatives, architecture standards, and engineering best practices.
• Facilitate architecture discussions and drive alignment across development, operations, infrastructure, security, and governance teams.
• Communicate complex technical concepts, risks, architecture decisions, and recommendations to both technical and executive audiences.
• Mentor senior engineers and contribute to engineering communities of practice.

Requirements

• 10+ years of experience in software engineering, application architecture, and enterprise application development.
• 8+ years of hands-on experience designing and developing RESTful APIs and microservices using Java/J2EE and Spring technologies.
• Java 8+ / J2EE
• Spring Boot, Spring Framework, Spring Batch
• REST API development and integration
• Microservices architecture
• SQL and relational databases
• Cloud-native application development
• Strong experience with API lifecycle management, API gateways, Swagger/OpenAPI documentation, and service integration.
• Hands-on experience with AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud Platform environments.
• Experience with containerization and orchestration technologies including Docker and Kubernetes.
• Experience implementing CI/CD pipelines and DevSecOps practices.
• Expertise with Git, Jira, Jenkins, SonarQube, Fortify, Black Duck, and related engineering tools.
• Strong understanding of distributed systems, event-driven architectures, and messaging platforms such as Kafka, RabbitMQ, AMQP, or ActiveMQ.
• Experience working in Agile and Scrum environments.
• Strong problem-solving, architectural design, and technical leadership skills.
• Experience with AWS EKS, Apigee/API Gateway, OAuth2, TLS/mTLS, API security, and enterprise integration patterns.
• Experience with Oracle, DB2, Cassandra, or other enterprise database platforms.
• Knowledge of Generative AI, Large Language Models (LLMs), AI-powered developer tools, and AI-assisted software engineering platforms.
• Experience integrating AI coding assistants, autonomous software engineering agents, or AI-enabled developer productivity solutions.
• Familiarity with Model Context Protocol (MCP), agent orchestration frameworks, and enterprise AI architecture patterns.
• Experience with observability and monitoring platforms such as Splunk, AppDynamics, and related operations tools.
• Experience delivering technology solutions within highly regulated enterprise environments.
• Proven ability to define enterprise standards, reusable frameworks, architecture patterns, and modernization roadmaps.
• Excellent communication, executive presentation, stakeholder management, and mentoring skills.

Skills

Required

• Java 8+ / J2EE
• REST API development and integration
• Microservices architecture
• SQL and relational databases
• Cloud-native application development
• AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud Platform
• Docker and Kubernetes
• CI/CD pipelines and DevSecOps practices
• Agile and Scrum

Benefits

• This position is eligible for company benefits including medical, dental, and vision insurance with an employer contribution, flexible spending or health savings account, life and AD\&D insurance, short and long term disability coverage, paid time off, employee assistance, participation in a 401k program with company match, and additional voluntary or legally-required benefits.
• NTT DATA provides a reasonable range of compensation for U.S.-based positions. The starting pay range for this role is $128,344.00 - $213,906.00. Actual compensation will depend on a number of factors, including the candidate’s relevant experience, technical skills, and other qualifications.
• This position may also be eligible for incentive compensation based on individual and/or company performance.