Lead Backend Engineer (Java, Python & AWS)

Lead Backend Engineer (Java, Python & AWS) Long-term B2B Contract | Remote within EU Role Overview We are looking for an experienced Java Tech Lead / Lead Backend Engineer who combines strong hands-on backend engineering with technical leadership and architectural ownership. You will work on cloud-native, distributed systems, taking ownership of complex technical problems from design through implementation and production. This is a hands-on engineering role: you will actively develop software while helping shape architecture, engineering standards and technical direction across the team. The environment is best suited to someone who enjoys solving difficult backend and platform problems, working across team boundaries, mentoring other engineers and taking responsibility for the long-term quality, scalability and reliability of the systems they build. Key Responsibilities: Design, develop and evolve backend services using Java and modern JVM technologies Remain hands-on with implementation, testing, debugging and production problem-solving Own technical design and architecture decisions for complex backend and distributed systems Design scalable microservices, APIs and event-driven architectures Contribute to services, automation or data workflows using Python Build and operate applications in AWS and Kubernetes-based environments Take ownership of systems throughout their lifecycle, from initial design through production operation Identify performance, scalability, reliability and maintainability improvements Establish strong engineering practices around automated testing, integration testing and code quality Review code and technical designs and provide clear technical guidance to other engineers Mentor engineers and help raise engineering standards across the team Collaborate closely with Product, Platform and other engineering teams Communicate technical decisions, trade-offs and risks clearly to technical and non-technical stakeholders Contribute to CI/CD, observability and production-readiness practices Requirements: 5+ years of professional software engineering experience Excellent, recent hands-on Java development experience Strong experience with Spring / Spring Boot Professional production experience with Python Strong experience designing microservices and distributed systems Experience with event-driven architectures and technologies such as Kafka Strong commercial experience with AWS Hands-on experience with Kubernetes and Docker Experience designing and integrating REST APIs Strong knowledge of relational databases and SQL Experience with CI/CD and modern software delivery practices Strong automated testing practices, including unit and integration testing Proven experience making meaningful architecture and system-design decisions Experience mentoring engineers, conducting code/design reviews or acting as a technical lead Experience owning complex features or services end-to-end, including their operation in production Strong communication skills and confidence working across teams and with stakeholders Fluent English (C1+) Nice to have: Experience with Azure alongside AWS Experience building or integrating AI-enabled products Knowledge of analytics, data-processing or event-driven systems Experience working in an international, distributed engineering environment Previous experience supporting several engineering teams or product areas What's on Offer: Long-term B2B engagement Hands-on role with genuine influence over technical direction Opportunity to work on AI-powered systems used internationally Collaboration with experienced, multidisciplinary engineering teams More than 20 days of paid time off Apple equipment Training and professional-development budget Diversity and Inclusion Commitment We are dedicated to creating and sustaining an inclusive, respectful workplace for all -regardless of gender, ethnicity, or background. We actively encourage applicants from all identities and experience levels to apply and bring your authentic self to our fast-paced, supportive team. Locations Barcelona, Spain Remote status Fully Remote About Salve.Inno Consulting Bringing a personalized approach to connecting exceptional talent with unique opportunities. Specializing in recruitment for diverse roles, leveraging extensive experience and innovative strategies to find the perfect match for any business needs. Collaboration builds a stronger, more successful future – one strategic hire at a time. Founded in 2024 Co-workers 10-50 Applicant tracking system by Teamtailor