Lead Java Developer with AWS

Job Title: Lead Java Developer with AWS

Location: Chicago, IL

Work Model: Hybrid (3 days/week onsite)

Duration: 12 Months

Job Overview

Caterpillar is seeking an experienced Lead Software Engineer to provide technical leadership in designing and developing cloud-native backend applications using Java, Spring Boot, and AWS. This is a hands-on engineering role responsible for architecting scalable distributed systems, leading technical decisions, mentoring engineers, and driving best practices across cloud-native application development.

Interview Process

• Technical Screening
• 2-hour Technical Panel Interview (In-person for local candidates)

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design and development of Java-based cloud-native applications on AWS.
• Build scalable microservices using Spring Boot.
• Design and implement RESTful APIs and event-driven services.
• Architect highly available, fault-tolerant distributed systems.
• Develop asynchronous messaging solutions using Kafka or similar technologies.
• Design cloud infrastructure leveraging AWS managed services.
• Implement Infrastructure as Code and CI/CD best practices.
• Lead technical design discussions, architecture reviews, and code reviews.
• Improve system observability through logging, metrics, monitoring, and distributed tracing.
• Troubleshoot production issues and optimize application performance.
• Collaborate with Product Owners, Architects, and cross-functional engineering teams.
• Mentor engineers and establish engineering standards and best practices.

Required Qualifications

• 10+ years of software engineering experience.
• 3+ years of technical leadership or team lead experience preferred.
• Strong experience building enterprise-scale backend applications.
• No degree required.

Required Technical Skills

• AWS Cloud Architecture
• Java (Advanced) and/or Kotlin
• Spring Boot
• Microservices Architecture
• REST API Development
• OpenAPI / Swagger
• SQL & Relational Databases
• NoSQL Databases (DynamoDB, MongoDB, Cassandra)
• Kafka or Event-Driven Messaging
• CI/CD Pipelines
• Build & Deployment Automation
• Distributed Systems
• Cloud-Native Development
• Observability (Logging, Metrics, Tracing)
• Production Support & Performance Tuning

Preferred Experience

• Designing highly available distributed systems.
• Infrastructure as Code.
• Event-driven architecture.
• Cloud-native application modernization.
• Technical architecture and solution design.
• Agile/Scrum development environment.

Soft Skills

• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
• Strong technical leadership and ownership.
• Analytical problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to mentor engineers and drive architectural decisions.
• Comfortable working in Agile teams.
• Ability to balance technical excellence with business priorities.

Typical Work Breakdown

• 45–55% Hands-on Java/AWS development
• 15–20% Production support and troubleshooting
• 15–20% Code reviews and technical design
• 5–10% Cross-team technical collaboration
• 5–10% Agile ceremonies and sprint activities

What You''ll Be Working On

You''ll help design and build mission-critical cloud-native backend platforms that power enterprise applications. This role offers the opportunity to influence architecture, establish engineering standards, and develop scalable, secure, and highly available systems using modern AWS technologies.

Top Skills

• AWS Cloud Architecture
• Java & Spring Boot
• Microservices & Distributed Systems

Must-Have Keywords

Java, AWS, Spring Boot, Microservices, REST APIs, Kafka, SQL, DynamoDB, MongoDB, Cassandra, CI/CD, Cloud Native, Distributed Systems, OpenAPI, Swagger, Event-Driven Architecture, Observability, Logging, Metrics, Tracing, Infrastructure as Code, Production Support, Performance Tuning, Agile, Technical Leadership.

Screening Notes

• Stable employment history is required (avoid frequent job changes).
• Candidates must be able to work onsite in Chicago, IL three days per week.