Java Developer | Remote | Inside IR35

Java Developer | Remote | Inside IR35

SR2 is recruiting a Java Developer to build and improve backend software within an established engineering team. We're looking for someone whose recent experience centres on writing, testing and delivering Java code, with strong knowledge of Spring Boot and a disciplined approach to software quality.

The Role

You'll turn requirements into working application features, taking responsibility for implementation, testing and ongoing improvements. The work spans business logic, APIs, system integrations and database access, with an emphasis on reliability, security and performance.

Recent commercial development experience with Java 21 or newer is essential, alongside regular use of TDD and SOLID principles. You'll contribute to design discussions while remaining closely involved in day-to-day coding.

Key Responsibilities

• Build and extend Java applications and Spring Boot services, translating user stories into well-tested functionality.
• Create APIs and microservices, covering validation, access controls, error handling and connections to other systems.
• Use test-first development to deliver unit, integration and API coverage, incorporating automated checks into delivery pipelines.
• Investigate defects and performance issues, improving existing code through structured debugging and refactoring.
• Develop relational database integrations, including queries, persistence components and transaction handling.
• Contribute to Agile delivery through pairing, peer reviews and collaboration with product, analysis and testing colleagues.

Essential Skills and Experience

• Recent commercial use of Java 21+, with clear examples of production code you have personally delivered.
• Strong Java fundamentals, including object-oriented development, collections, streams and exception handling.
• Practical Spring Boot experience building backend functionality and microservices.
• Experience creating and supporting REST APIs, including HTTP, JSON and API documentation using OpenAPI or Swagger.
• Consistent use of TDD, following the red-green-refactor cycle, with JUnit, Mockito and meaningful automated test coverage.
• Ability to apply SOLID principles, dependency injection and separation of concerns to produce readable, testable code.
• SQL and relational database experience, using technologies such as JDBC, JPA or Hibernate.
• Familiarity with Git, Maven or Gradle, and automated build, test and deployment processes.
• Experience delivering within Agile teams, with confidence working collaboratively through pair programming and code reviews.

Desirable Skills and Experience

• BDD tools such as Cucumber and Gherkin.
• Application security using Spring Security, OAuth 2.0 or JWT.
• SOAP integrations and XML processing.
• Container technologies, including Docker and Kubernetes, and exposure to AWS or Azure.
• Messaging platforms such as Kafka or RabbitMQ.
• Static analysis, application monitoring and performance optimisation.
• Delivery experience in government or other regulated settings; SC or DV clearance would be useful where applicable.

The Details

• Duration: 6+ months
• IR35 status: Remote
• Day rate: £400-425
• Location: Remote

If you're interested, please apply for immediate consideration.