Lead Java Software Engineer; Individual Contributor

Information Technology
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or related field
  • At least 7 years of relevant experience or equivalent training
  • Deep expertise in Java for enterprise-grade applications
  • Strong experience with cloud technologies, particularly AWS
  • Proven system design and architecture capabilities
  • Extensive knowledge of data storage technologies including SQL and NoSQL
  • Experience with DevOps practices and CI/CD methodologies

Responsibilities

  • Design and develop high-quality software solutions
  • Exercise independent judgment to solve complex problems
  • Identify and address obstacles to business goals
  • Analyze software development trends and provide insights
  • Coach and mentor less experienced software engineers
  • Foster a culture of collaboration and integrity
  • Communicate technical information clearly to stakeholders

Benefits

  • Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance
  • 401(k) plan with company match and additional retirement contributions
  • Generous time-off program including 15 days of paid time off and 5 personal days
  • Tuition reimbursement and commuter benefits
  • Wellness programs and employee assistance services
  • Paid volunteer service days and parental leave options
  • Flexible hybrid work environment with some in-person requirements
Full Job Description

Working independently, the Lead Software Engineer owns development of software products and works on improving the overall quality of the product throughout the software development life cycle and mentors other Software Engineers.

Seasoned individual contributor with deep expertise in Java to design, develop, and maintain complex, enterprise-grade applications on AWS through clean, modular, and performant code.

Essential Job Functions:

  • Designs and develops industry-leading solutions that meet defined quality standards, reliability specifications, and help achieve key strategic objectives

  • Takes broad perspective to problems and exercises independent judgement in techniques and evaluation criteria to obtain results

  • Identifies ways to overcome challenging situations that jeopardize the achievement of business goals

  • Develops actionable insights from analyzing software development trends, software engineering best practices, and innovative test environment management tools and communicates integration recommendations to management

Collaboration

  • Coaches and trains less experienced colleagues in techniques, processes, and responsibilities

  • Integrates the culture of intelligence, integrity, and initiative into team goals and decisions

  • Partners within and across teams to remove barriers and identify shared goals and priorities

  • Openly shares progress and priorities with key stakeholders, communicating complex or technical information at the right level.

  • Demonstration of FINRA’s values.

  • Collaboration, both in-person and virtually, in furtherance of FINRA’s mission of investor protection and market integrity.

  • Demonstration of FINRA’s values.

  • Collaboration, both in-person and virtually, in furtherance of FINRA’s mission of investor protection and market integrity.

Essential Technical Skills:

Backend Development: Strong experience in backend development across server-side technologies and architectures. Ability to design and implement scalable, high-performance systems from API layer to data persistence, with deep understanding of modern frameworks (Spring Boot), RESTful and GraphQL APIs, microservices architectures, event-driven architectures, and database design patterns.

Data Storage Technologies: Strong experience with modern data storage solutions including relational databases (Example: PostgreSQL, MySQL), NoSQL systems (Example: MongoDB, Cassandra), and graph databases (Example: Neo4j, Amazon Neptune), with expertise in data modeling approaches and design patterns for diverse data persistence requirements.

System Design & Architecture: System Design & Architecture: Strong system design experience with ability to architect scalable, enterprise-grade document and metadata ingestion, processing, and persistence at scale

DevOps & Infrastructure: Assist with implementing and maintaining CI/CD pipelines while architecting and developing cloud-native solutions leveraging AWS services, including Lambda, Step functions, SQS, SNS, S3, ECS, Fargate, Aurora, fostering a strong DevOps culture within the team.

Education/Experience Requirements: 
  • Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems or related discipline with at least 7 years of related experience, or equivalent training and/or work experience.

  • Strong system design experience

  • Strong experience in object-oriented development

  • Strong experience with cloud technologies

  • Strong experience in data storage technologies

  • Strong experience in performance tuning and optimization

  • Strong experience in DevOps and CI\CD technologies

  • Strong experience test automation and unit testing

  • Strong experience software security

Working Conditions:
  • Hybrid work environment, with defined in-person presence requirements.

  • Occasional travel and extended hours may be required.

For work that is performed in CO, FL, TX, IL, PA, MA, MD, VA, Washington, DC, NY and NJ, please refer to the chart below for the salary range for the corresponding location. FINRA complies with all state and local pay transparency laws and regulations requiring the disclosure of salary ranges for the position. In addition to location, actual compensation is based on various factors, including but not limited to, the candidate’s skill set, level of experience, education, and market considerations. 

CO/FL/TX: Minimum Salary $114,200, Maximum Salary $207,200

IL/PA: Minimum Salary $125,900, Maximum Salary $228,000
MA/MD/VA/Washington, DC: Minimum Salary $131,200, Maximum Salary $238,300

NY/NJ: Minimum Salary $131,200, Maximum Salary $248,700

#LI-Hybrid

To be considered for this position, please submit an application. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.

The information provided above has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work of the position. It is not a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required.

Please note: If the “Apply Now” button on a job board posting does not take you directly to the FINRA Careers site, enter www.finra.org/careers into your browser to reach our site directly.

Employees may be eligible for a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay. Non-exempt employees are also eligible for overtime pay in accordance with federal, state, or local law. As part of its dedication to employee wellness, FINRA provides comprehensive health, dental and vision insurance. Additional insurance includes basic life, accidental death and dismemberment, supplemental life, spouse/domestic partner and dependent life, and spouse/domestic partner and dependent accidental death and dismemberment, short- and long-term disability, long-term care, business travel accident, disability and legal. FINRA offers immediate participation and vesting in a 401(k) plan with company match and eligibility for participation in an additional FINRA-funded retirement contribution, tuition reimbursement, commuter benefits, and other benefits that support employee wellness, such as adoption assistance, backup family care, surrogacy benefits, employee assistance, and wellness programs.

Time Off and Paid Leave*

FINRA encourages its employees to focus on their health and wellness in many ways, including through a generous time-off program of 15 days of paid time off, 5 personal days and 9 sick days, unless otherwise required by law (all pro-rated in the first year). Additionally, we are proud to support our communities by providing two volunteer service days (based on full-time schedule). Other paid leave includes military leave, jury duty leave, bereavement leave, voting and election official leave for federal, state or local primary and general elections, care of a family member leave (available after 90 days of employment); and childbirth and parental leave (available after 90 days of employment). Full-time employees receive nine paid holidays.

*Based on full-time schedule

About Financial Industry Regulatory Authority

Financial Industry Regulatory Authority Careers

Joining the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) presents a unique opportunity to become part of a dedicated team of professionals committed to fostering fair and honest financial markets. As the largest independent regulator for all securities firms doing business in the United States, FINRA is at the forefront of the financial industry, offering unparalleled job opportunities in a dynamic environment.

Work You’ll Do

At FINRA, professionals work to protect investors and ensure the market's integrity through effective and efficient regulation of broker-dealers. Team members are engaged in a wide range of critical functions from market regulation to enforcement, and from legal compliance to dispute resolution. This variety ensures that employment at FINRA is not just a job, but a pathway to meaningful professional growth and career advancement.

Join a Leading Team

FINRA’s team is composed of highly skilled professionals who lead through innovation and steadfast leadership in the financial sector. With a commitment to diversity and inclusive culture, FINRA fosters an environment where every team member’s contribution is valued. Joining this team means collaborating on projects that enhance the security and integrity of the financial marketplace.

Innovative Work and Career Development

Professionals at FINRA are encouraged to take initiative and innovate within their roles. The authority offers a robust career development program that supports professional growth through training, workshops, and continued learning opportunities. This focus on professional development ensures that every employee has the tools and knowledge to advance their career.

Internship and Employment Opportunities

For those starting their career, FINRA offers a range of internship and entry-level positions that provide a solid foundation in financial regulation. Interns and new employees work alongside industry experts and gain invaluable hands-on experience. These positions are crucial stepping stones for building a career filled with leadership opportunities and professional advancement.

Benefits and Culture

FINRA is committed to supporting its employees’ well-being both inside and outside of the workplace. The company offers a competitive package of benefits that promote a healthy work-life balance. Employees enjoy comprehensive health benefits, retirement plans, and generous paid time off. Moreover, FINRA’s culture of ethics and leadership is reflected in its daily operations, making it a prime environment for personal and professional growth.

Explore Job Opportunities

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority is continuously seeking passionate, curious, and skilled individuals to join its team. Explore open positions that match your skills and interests in the financial regulatory field. FINRA is hiring individuals who are driven to excel and ready to contribute to a team that values integrity, competence, and dedication.

Stay Connected

Keep up to date with the latest from FINRA by following the careers blog. Gain insights from insiders, and stay informed about new job opportunities, networking events, and industry news that can help shape your career path.

Apply Now

Ready to take the next step in your career? Review open positions, prepare your resume, and apply through the FINRA Careers portal. Tailor your application to highlight your unique skills and experiences that align with the position you are interested in. The interview process at FINRA is designed to identify and recruit the most talented professionals in the industry.

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