Senior Java Developer

We are seeking a Senior Java Developer to join our Enterprise Applications team. This role is suited for an experienced engineer with a strong Java background who is also curious, forward-thinking, and eager to explore emerging technologies such as AI-driven solutions.

You will be involved across the full software development lifecycle 1 from requirements gathering and system design through to development, testing, deployment, and production support of business-critical applications. The role also includes 2nd line support responsibilities and maintaining live environments.

Beyond delivering high-quality Java solutions, we are looking for an engineer who actively looks for better ways of solving problems, experiments with new tools and approaches, and is ready to apply AI and automation concepts where they add value. Critically, we want this person to be a catalyst for the wider team 1 demonstrating what is possible with AI-assisted development and mentoring others to adopt these new ways of working.

Responsibilities

• Participate in requirements analysis, system design, development, testing, and deployment of enterprise applications
• Develop and maintain high-quality, scalable Java/J2EE applications across our estate, including legacy Java 6/8 systems and modern Java 21 Spring Boot services
• Provide 2nd line support for business-critical systems, including live environment maintenance
• Lead a structured knowledge transfer from our retiring lead developer, capturing architectural decisions and institutional context
• Contribute to system documentation (HLD, LLD) and performance analysis
• Collaborate with cross-functional IT teams and business stakeholders
• Explore, evaluate, and experiment with new technologies, including AI-assisted development tools and automation where appropriate
• Champion adoption of AI coding tools (such as Claude and GitHub Copilot) within the team, sharing findings and building practical guidelines for effective use
• Mentor junior to mid-level developers across both core Java skills and AI-assisted development practices, through pair programming, code reviews, and knowledge-sharing sessions

Requirements

• AI Mindset 1 you have genuinely changed the way you work because of AI tools 1 and you can help others do the same.
• Strong experience with Java (1.6 / 1.7 / 1.8) 1 and comfortable working across the full range up to Java 21
• Spring Boot, J2EE, EJB, JSF
• RESTful web services
• Maven, Nexus, Jenkins
• SQL and relational databases
• J2EE Application Servers
• Build tools such as Ant

Desirable / Willing to Learn

• Application servers such as Tomcat or GlassFish
• Eclipse and/or IntelliJ IDEA
• Performance and profiling tools (JProfiler, VisualVM)
• Source control tools (Bitbucket, Subversion)
• Exposure to AI-assisted tools, automation, or data-driven solutions is a plus 1 hands-on experience with tools such as GitHub Copilot, Claude, or similar is strongly preferred