Backend Architect

Backend Solution Architect

Onsite in Cincinnati, OH

We are seeking a Backend Solution Architect with strong expertise in Java Spring Boot, AWS cloud services, OpenShift container platforms. This role is responsible for designing, implementing, and scaling enterprise-grade backend services that run in cloud-native and hybrid infrastructures. The architect will guide teams in building secure, resilient, and high-performance microservices while ensuring alignment with enterprise standards and compliance requirements. This is a primary hands-on keyboard role.

Due to client requirements, applicants must be willing and able to work on a W2 basis. For our W2 consultants, we offer a great benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision benefits, 401k with company matching, and life insurance.

Rate: $86 - $96 / hr. W2

Responsibilities

• Define and implement microservice-based backend architectures using Java and Spring Boot.
• Design RESTful and event-driven APIs for enterprise applications.
• Establish domain-driven design (DDD) practices to ensure modular, maintainable, and business-aligned solutions.
• Optimize backend performance through caching, load balancing, and resilient service patterns.
• Architect and deploy services to AWS (ECS/EKS, Lambda, API Gateway, S3, RDS/DynamoDB, IAM).
• Leverage OpenShift/Kubernetes for container orchestration, service mesh, and workload scalability.
• Drive adoption of infrastructure as code (Terraform, CloudFormation, Helm) for repeatable, automated provisioning.
• Ensure services are designed for multi-AZ availability, failover, and disaster recovery.
• Implement security best practices: IAM roles, OAuth2/OIDC, mTLS, data encryption at rest/in transit.
• Ensure compliance with enterprise and industry regulations (SOC1/2, PCI, GDPR/CCPA).
• Build CI/CD pipelines with automated testing, security scans, and deployment gates.
• Partner with enterprise architects, cloud engineers, and security teams to align backend designs with organizational strategy.
• Mentor developers and DevOps engineers on Spring Boot, AWS, OpenShift, and Linux best practices.
• Facilitate architecture reviews and guide decision-making on backend modernization and cloud migration.

Experience Requirements

Technical Skills

• Java & Spring Boot: 10+ years of backend engineering experience with strong expertise in Spring Boot, Spring Cloud, Spring Security.
• Cloud (AWS): Hands-on experience with ECS/EKS, Lambda, S3, API Gateway, RDS/DynamoDB, CloudWatch, IAM.
• Containers (OpenShift/Kubernetes): Proven experience designing and deploying containerized workloads on OpenShift (Operators, ConfigMaps, secrets, service mesh).
• Linux: Strong background in Linux administration, shell scripting, troubleshooting, and performance tuning.
• Data & Messaging: Familiarity with RDBMS, NoSQL, Kafka, RabbitMQ, or SQS.
• DevOps: Experience with CI/CD pipelines, container registries, and infrastructure automation.

Soft Skills

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills for complex backend challenges.
• Ability to communicate effectively across engineering, operations, and executive stakeholders.
• Proven leadership in guiding cross-functional teams toward modernization and cloud-native adoption.

Preferred Experience

• Modernizing legacy applications into cloud-native Java microservices.
• Operating hybrid cloud architectures combining AWS and on-premises OpenShift.
• Delivering backend systems in regulated industries requiring high availability, auditability, and compliance.
• Experience in large-scale transaction systems or event-driven backend platforms.

Education Requirements

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related field.

Preferred Certifications:

AWS Solutions Architect (Associate/Professional)

Red Hat OpenShift Specialist / Kubernetes CKA

Linux Professional Institute Certification (LPIC) or RHCSA/RHCE