Senior Backend Engineer (Java/Kotlin)

Come build the future of software development with AI as your co-pilot.

If you're tired of legacy codebases, bureaucratic processes, and "good enough" solutions, we want to talk. Our client is looking for a senior backend developer who gets excited about clean architecture, AI-enhanced development workflows, and shipping features that actually move the needle for our clients.

What We're Really Looking For

Someone who doesn't just write code—you architect solutions. You see a feature request and think about scalability, performance, and maintainability from day one. You're curious about AI tooling and want to be at the forefront of how it transforms software development.

You're the developer who:

• Ships features ahead of schedule while others are still debating architecture
• Proactively identifies technical debt before it becomes a problem
• Gets genuinely excited about optimizing database queries and API performance
• Wants to experiment with AI-powered development tools and integration strategies

What You'll Actually Do

• Drive AI Integration: Lead our experiments with AI-enhanced development, prompt engineering, and multi-provider testing (OpenAI, Anthropic, etc.)
• Own Backend Architecture: Build scalable Spring Boot/Kotlin services for funded startups and growing companies
• Optimize Performance: Design database schemas and queries that perform at scale (millions of users, complex data relationships)
• Ship Complete Features: Take ownership from requirements to deployment, not just "throw code over the wall"
• Collaborate Globally: Work with our distributed team across time zones on high-impact client projects

Requirements

• 5+ years building production systems with Java/Kotlin and Spring Boot
• Database Expert: PostgreSQL, MySQL, or Oracle - you understand indexing, query optimization, and schema design
• AI Curiosity: Experience with or strong interest in prompt engineering, AI integration, or ML-powered features
• API Design: RESTful services, performance considerations, and scalable architecture patterns
• Independent Execution: You can take a feature from concept to production with minimal hand-holding

What Makes You Stand Out

• Full-Stack Capabilities: TypeScript and Vue experience (major bonus)
• Cloud/DevOps: AWS, Docker, Kubernetes experience
• Startup DNA: You've worked in fast-paced environments where shipping matters more than perfect documentation

Benefits

• Work remotely Monday - Friday, 40 hours a week (no weekends)
• Vacation: 10 business days a year
• Holidays: 5 National Holidays a year
• Company Holidays: 5 Company Holidays a year (Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve, New Year's Day, Zipdev Day)
• Parental Leave
• Health Care Reimbursement
• Active Lifestyle Reimbursement
• Quarterly Home Office Reimbursement
• Payroll Deduction Purchase Plans
• Longevity Bonus
• Continuous Learning Bonus
• Access to Training and Professional Development Platforms
• Did we mention it's REMOTE?!!

One of our core values at Zipdev is "Be authentic." that's why we encourage you to answer the application form in your own words; we are interested in getting to know you, not a digital assistant.

Wondering how our remote environment or our payment method work? We've put together some helpful answers in our FAQs at the bottom our our career site. Take a look and let us know if you have any other questions!