Java Tech Lead

This is a 6-month contract position for a Java Technical Lead to drive backend engineering, API architecture, and automation initiatives. Based in Dallas, Texas, the role offers remote work flexibility and is focused on leading technical design, implementation, and quality engineering of scalable microservices and reusable automation utilities in support of enterprise airline operations.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end design and technical delivery of scalable, resilient, and distributed backend services and REST APIs using Java and Spring / Spring Boot.
• Design and implement complex business capabilities and airline domain rules across multi-system enterprise integrations.
• Architect and maintain event-driven, cloud-native workflows on AWS leveraging Lambda, DynamoDB, S3, SQS, SNS, EventBridge, and CloudWatch.
• Design, build, and maintain scalable, reusable Java-based test utilities and automation frameworks to optimize consistency, efficiency, and reliability of API testing across teams.
• Architect comprehensive API test suites using Postman, Newman, JavaScript (Pre-request/Test scripts), REST, JSON, and OAuth.
• Establish automated test pipelines integrating JUnit/TestNG, Gradle, and CI/CD tools (Jenkins, GitLab CI).
• Lead code reviews and enforce object-oriented design standards, robust exception handling, and secure coding practices.
• Oversee root-cause analysis (RCA), production troubleshooting, and observability using CloudWatch, SSH/on-premises log inspection, and distributed request-ID tracing.
• Champion Agile/Scrum ceremonies, technical mentoring, and seamless collaboration across DevOps, QA, and development teams.

Qualifications

• Required
  • 12+ years of hands-on software development experience with Java (Core Java, OOP, Exception Handling, Concurrency) and functional knowledge of Spring / Spring Boot.
  • Deep expertise in RESTful API design, microservices architecture, and distributed enterprise systems.
  • Advanced hands-on experience with Postman, Newman, and JavaScript scripting for comprehensive API collection definitions, dynamic test data injection, and validations.
  • Strong proficiency with automated testing frameworks (JUnit, Mockito, TestNG) and dependency management via Gradle.
  • Practical experience with AWS cloud services: Lambda, DynamoDB, S3, SQS, SNS, EventBridge, and CloudWatch.
  • Proficiency in building and maintaining CI/CD pipelines using Jenkins or GitLab.
  • Experience with Linux/Shell scripting and Git.
  • Experience with API authentication and authorization mechanisms (e.g., OAuth).
  • Strong background in log analysis, request tracing, and diagnostics across cloud environments (AWS) as well as on-premises systems via SSH.
• Preferred
  • Prior experience in the aviation/airline industry, specifically around Trip Management, Reservations, Ticketing/Booking, Flight Operations, Schedules, Check-in, Boarding, Baggage handling, Loyalty/Rewards, Pricing/Fares, and Passenger Name Record (PNR) integrations.
  • Proven track record leading technical teams or driving architectural transitions in large enterprise environments.
  • Excellent technical leadership, code-review, and mentoring abilities.
  • Strong cross-functional collaboration and communication skills.
  • Problem-solving mindset with an emphasis on automation, scalability, and code reusability.