Java Backend Developer - Hybrid Lisbon/Braga/Coimbra (1 day/week on-site)

ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY

Join a global technology consulting leader working on enterprise-scale backend systems built with modern cloud-native technologies and microservices architectures. This role offers the opportunity to work with Google Cloud Platform, Kubernetes, and sophisticated search capabilities using Elasticsearch while developing RESTful APIs that power critical business applications. Operating with exceptional flexibility requiring only 1 day per week on-site (choice of Lisbon, Braga, or Coimbra offices, you'll work in Agile environments alongside talented engineers building scalable, high-performance backend solutions. As a Java Backend Developer, you'll leverage Spring Boot to create robust microservices, deploy applications on Kubernetes using Helm, and optimize search functionality with Elasticsearch while maintaining SQL databases like PostgreSQL. This position combines deep technical work with modern DevOps practices including CI/CD pipelines and containerization, offering the chance to grow your expertise across the full backend technology stack serving enterprise clients.

PROJECT & CONTEXT

You'll design, develop, and maintain backend services and microservices using Java and Spring Boot within a Google Cloud Platform environment. Your work will focus on building scalable RESTful APIs that serve various client applications, implementing sophisticated search functionality using Elasticsearch for indexing, querying, and optimization, and working with PostgreSQL databases to ensure data integrity and performance. Operating in a microservices architecture, you'll deploy and manage applications on Kubernetes clusters using Helm for package management and configuration, containerize applications with Docker for consistent deployment across environments, and participate in CI/CD pipeline development ensuring automated testing and deployment. The role requires strong understanding of distributed systems, API design principles following REST best practices, database optimization for high-throughput applications, and Agile development methodologies working in sprints with cross-functional teams. You'll collaborate closely with frontend developers, DevOps engineers, and product teams to deliver features aligned with business requirements while maintaining code quality, performance standards, and operational excellence. 

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR (Required)

• Java Backend Experience: 5+ years proven experience developing backend applications with Java in production environments
• Spring Boot Expertise: Strong hands-on experience with Spring Boot framework for building enterprise applications and microservices
• Google Cloud Platform: Proven practical experience with GCP services and cloud-native development patterns
• Microservices Architecture: Solid understanding of microservices design principles, patterns, and best practices
• Kubernetes Proficiency: Hands-on experience deploying, managing, and troubleshooting applications on Kubernetes clusters
• Helm Experience: Working knowledge of Helm for Kubernetes package management and application deployment
• Elasticsearch Skills: Practical experience with Elasticsearch including indexing strategies, query optimization, and search relevance tuning
• REST API Design: Strong experience designing and implementing RESTful APIs following industry best practices
• PostgreSQL Expertise: Proficiency with SQL databases, particularly PostgreSQL, including query optimization and database design
• Docker Containerization: Hands-on experience containerizing applications with Docker for deployment and local development
• Agile Methodology: Experience working in Agile development environments with Scrum or Kanban
• CI/CD Pipelines: Familiarity with continuous integration and deployment practices and tools
• Problem-Solving: Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills for complex backend systems
• Code Quality: Writing clean, maintainable, well-tested code following SOLID principles and design patterns
• Language: C1 English (Advanced) - fluent communication required for client and team collaboration
• Location: Currently living in Portugal with availability for hybrid work in Lisbon, Braga, or Coimbra (1 day/week on-site, or fully remote if needed)

NICE TO HAVE (Preferred)

• Additional GCP Services: Cloud Storage, Cloud SQL, Pub/Sub, Cloud Functions, Cloud Run
• Monitoring & Observability: Prometheus, Grafana, ELK Stack, or Google Cloud Operations Suite
• Message Queues: RabbitMQ, Kafka, or Google Pub/Sub for event-driven architectures
• Caching Strategies: Redis, Memcached, or similar caching solutions
• API Gateway: Experience with API management platforms and gateway solutions
• Security Best Practices: OAuth 2.0, JWT, API security, and authentication/authorization patterns
• Performance Optimization: Application performance tuning, profiling, and optimization techniques
• Testing Frameworks: JUnit, Mockito, TestContainers, or similar testing tools
• NoSQL Databases: MongoDB, Cassandra, or other NoSQL database experience
• Infrastructure as Code: Terraform, Pulumi, or similar IaC tools for GCP
• Service Mesh: Istio, Linkerd, or similar service mesh technologies
• Design Patterns: Deep knowledge of enterprise integration patterns and architectural styles
• Distributed Systems: Understanding of CAP theorem, eventual consistency, and distributed transactions
• GitOps Practices: ArgoCD, Flux, or similar GitOps deployment tools
• Additional Languages: Kotlin, Golang, or Python for polyglot development
• GraphQL: Experience with GraphQL APIs as alternative to REST
• Domain-Driven Design: DDD principles and implementation patterns

Location: Lisbon, Braga, or Coimbra, Portugal (Hybrid - 1 day/week on-site, or fully remote