Royal Bank of Canada

Lead Backend Engineer

Royal Bank of Canada$100K — $130K *
Finance & Insurance
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 8+ years of software development experience in Spring Boot and Java
  • Expert in building production RESTful and GraphQL APIs
  • Deep knowledge of microservices and distributed system architectures
  • Hands-on experience with non-relational and graph databases
  • Proficient with Apache Kafka for event streaming
  • Familiarity with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) and containers
  • 5+ years in banking/financial services with transaction system experience

Responsibilities

  • Design and maintain high-performance RESTful and GraphQL APIs
  • Optimize systems for high throughput with low latency
  • Architect microservices using advanced design patterns
  • Develop solutions with graph and non-relational databases
  • Implement event-driven architectures using Kafka
  • Ensure reliability and performance of distributed systems
  • Lead and mentor backend development team

Benefits

  • Comprehensive Total Rewards Program including bonuses
  • Supportive leaders focused on professional development
  • Dynamic and collaborative work environment
  • World-class training programs in financial services
  • Flexible work/life balance options
  • Opportunities for career advancement
  • Access to diverse job opportunities across regions
Full Job Description
Job Description

What is the Opportunity?

We are seeking an experienced Lead Backend Engineer to join our engineering team and take ownership of building high-performance, scalable backend systems for mission-critical applications. This role requires deep expertise in designing and implementing RESTful and GraphQL APIs that interact with graph and non-relational databases in high-throughput, low-latency environments, with strong focus on microservices architecture and distributed system patterns.

What will you do?

Technical Leadership & Development
  • Design, develop, and maintain high-performance RESTful and GraphQL APIs for enterprise-scale applications
  • Build and optimize systems that handle high-throughput workloads with sub-millisecond latency requirements
  • Architect and implement microservices using Saga pattern, CQRS, Event Sourcing, and other distributed system patterns
  • Design solutions using graph and non-relational databases (e.g., Neo4j, MongoDB, Cosmos DB, DynamoDB)
  • Implement event-driven architectures using Kafka for event triggering and emission
  • Ensure system reliability, scalability, and performance across distributed systems
  • Design and implement distributed transactions using orchestration-based and choreography-based Saga patterns


Team Leadership & Mentorship
  • Lead and mentor a team of backend developers, fostering technical excellence and professional growth. Conduct code reviews and establish best practices for API design, data modeling, and system architecture.
  • Provide technical guidance and support to team members on complex technical challenges
  • Own end-to-end delivery of backend products and features from conception to production
  • Strong problem-solving skills and ability to architect complex technical solutions
  • Excellent communication skills with ability to explain technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders
  • Self-motivated with strong ownership mindset and accountability for deliverables


Product Ownership & Collaboration
  • Take ownership of developed products, ensuring quality, performance, and maintainability.
  • Collaborate with product managers, architects, and stakeholders to translate business requirements into technical solutions.
  • Drive technical decisions and advocate for architectural improvements.
  • Participate in sprint planning, retrospectives, and technical design discussions


What do you need to succeed?

Must Haves:
  • 8+ years of professional software development experience with expert-level proficiency in Spring Boot 2.x/3.x and Java (Java 11+) and understanding of Spring ecosystem (Spring Cloud, Spring Data, and Spring Security)
  • Strong experience building RESTful APIs and GraphQL APIs in production environments
  • Expert knowledge of microservices design patterns and distributed system architectures
  • Hands-on experience with non-relational databases (MongoDB, Cassandra, DynamoDB, Cosmos DB) and graph databases (Neo4j, Amazon Neptune, or similar)
  • Production experience with Apache Kafka for event streaming, triggering, and emission
  • Strong experience with Azure, AWS, or Google Cloud Platform and knowledge of cloud-native architectures, containers (Docker, Kubernetes), and microservices
  • 5+ years of experience in banking or financial services industry with experience with payment systems, transaction processing, or core banking platforms preferred Knowledge of distributed transaction patterns in financial services


Nice to have skills
  • Knowledge of observability tools (Splunk, Dynatrace, Prometheus, Grafana)
  • Understanding of security best practices (OAuth2, JWT, mTLS, encryption, secrets management)
  • Experience with Agile/Scrum methodologies and DevOps culture
  • Knowledge of chaos engineering and resilience testing practices
  • Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field


What's in it for you?
  • A comprehensive Total Rewards Program including bonuses and flexible benefits, competitive compensation, commissions, and stock where applicable
  • Leaders who support your development through coaching and managing opportunities
  • Work in a dynamic, collaborative, progressive, and high-performing team
  • A world-class training program in financial services
  • Flexible work/life balance options
  • Opportunities to take on progressively greater accountabilities
  • Access to a variety of job opportunities across business and geographies


#LI-POST

#TECHPJ

Job Skills
Active Learning, Agile Methodology, Application Integrations, Detail-Oriented, Emerging Technologies, Enterprise Application Delivery, Group Problem Solving, Information Technology Trends, Programming Languages, Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC)

Additional Job Details

Address:

RBC CENTRE, 155 WELLINGTON ST W:TORONTO

City:

Toronto

Country:

Canada

Work hours/week:

37.5

Employment Type:

Full time

Platform:

TECHNOLOGY AND OPERATIONS

Job Type:

Regular

Pay Type:

Salaried

Posted Date:

2026-06-16

Application Deadline:

2026-07-17
Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the day prior to the application deadline date above

RBC is presently inviting candidates to apply for this existing vacancy. Applying to this posting allows you to express your interest in this current career opportunity at RBC. Qualified applicants may be contacted to review their resume in more detail.

About Royal Bank of Canada

Royal Bank of Canada Careers

Join the dynamic team at Royal Bank of Canada (RBC), a global leader in financial services and a company committed to excellence and innovation. At RBC, we offer a wide range of job opportunities that empower professionals to shape their career paths with leadership, diversity training, and continuous growth.

Work You’ll Do

At Royal Bank of Canada, we are not just hiring; we are building a culture of innovation and leadership. Our team members are at the forefront of the financial industry, driving transformation and delivering targeted solutions that meet the evolving needs of our clients and communities.

Explore Job Opportunities and Employment at RBC

Whether you are starting your career or looking to take it to the next level, RBC offers positions that challenge your skills and fuel your ambition. From entry-level positions to leadership roles, our job opportunities span across various functions and regions. Join us and be part of a team that values professional growth and diversity.

Internship and Professional Development

Kickstart your career with an internship at Royal Bank of Canada. Our internships provide invaluable hands-on experience, networking opportunities, and insights into the financial services industry. Interns at RBC gain the skills necessary to excel and are often considered for full-time positions within the company.

Benefits and Culture

At RBC, we prioritize the well-being and satisfaction of our employees. Our benefits package is designed to support our team members at every stage of their life and career. RBC’s culture is built on a foundation of respect, integrity, and responsibility, fostering an environment where everyone can thrive.

Career Growth and Innovation

We believe in nurturing the potential of our employees through continuous learning and career development programs. At RBC, you will find endless opportunities to grow professionally through on-the-job experiences, formal training programs, and leadership development initiatives. Our commitment to innovation means we are constantly seeking out new ideas and perspectives, making RBC a perfect place for those who aim to lead and innovate.

Diversity and Inclusion

Diversity is our strength. At Royal Bank of Canada, we are committed to building an inclusive workplace where every employee feels valued and respected. Our diversity training programs are designed to educate and inspire, creating a more inclusive and equitable workplace.

Join Our Team

Search open positions that match your skills and interests. We look for passionate, curious, creative, and solution-driven team players. Start your journey with RBC today and be part of a world-class team known for its commitment to client service, community involvement, and innovation.

Stay Connected

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Personalize your subscription to receive job alerts, latest news, and insider tips tailored to your preferences. Discover the exciting and rewarding career opportunities awaiting you at RBC. Explore the possibilities with Royal Bank of Canada, where your future is filled with potential and the path to success is paved with countless opportunities for professional and personal growth. Join us and shape not just your career but the future of the financial industry.
Learn more about Royal Bank of Canada
Size
86,007 employees
Market Cap
$130.3 billion
Industry
5 Year Trend
+8.7%
NASDAQ

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