Java Architect

Job Title: Java Architect (Kafka)

Location: Chicago, IL
Experience: 15+ Years

Job Summary

We are seeking an experienced Java Architect with strong expertise in Apache Kafka and event-driven architectures . The ideal candidate will lead the design and development of scalable, high-performance distributed systems using modern Java technologies and streaming platforms.

Key Responsibilities

1. Architecture & Design

• Design and implement scalable, distributed, and event-driven architectures using Java and Kafka.
• Define system architecture, integration patterns, and microservices design.
• Lead technical decision-making and provide architectural guidance to development teams.

2. Backend Development

• Develop and optimize backend services using Core Java, Spring Boot, and Microservices architecture .
• Build high-performance, fault-tolerant systems for real-time data processing.

3. Kafka & Streaming

• Design and implement Kafka-based streaming solutions .
• Develop producers, consumers, and stream processing applications.
• Ensure data reliability using partitioning, replication, and fault tolerance strategies .
• Work with Kafka ecosystem tools (Kafka Streams, Connect, Schema Registry).

4. Integration & APIs

• Design and build RESTful APIs and event-driven integrations .
• Integrate with external systems, databases, and third-party services.

5. Performance & Scalability

• Optimize application performance and ensure scalability of distributed systems.
• Conduct performance tuning, load testing, and capacity planning.

6. DevOps & Deployment

• Implement CI/CD pipelines and manage deployments.
• Work with containerization tools such as Docker and Kubernetes .
• Ensure monitoring, logging, and observability of applications.

7. Leadership & Collaboration

• Mentor and guide development teams.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to translate business requirements into technical solutions.
• Drive best practices in coding, architecture, and system design.

Required Skills & Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in Java development and architecture
• Strong expertise in:
  • Core Java, Spring Boot, Microservices
  • Apache Kafka (producers, consumers, streams)
• Experience with:
  • Event-driven and distributed systems architecture
  • REST APIs and system integrations
  • SQL/NoSQL databases
• Hands-on experience with:
  • Docker, Kubernetes
  • CI/CD pipelines
  • Performance tuning and troubleshooting

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Kafka Streams, KSQL, or Confluent platform
• Exposure to cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP)
• Knowledge of event sourcing and CQRS patterns
• Experience in high-volume, real-time systems (finance, e-commerce, etc.)