Tech Lead - Dallas, TX

Photon$40K — $142K *
Information Technology
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's or master's degree in computer science or related field
  • 10-12 years of experience in software development
  • 3+ years in a leadership role
  • Proficiency in Java (Java 8/11/17) and Spring Boot
  • Expertise in AWS services, especially Lambda, EC2, RDS, and CI/CD pipelines
  • Strong database skills with Oracle and Amazon RDS
  • Excellent communication and problem-solving skills

Responsibilities

  • Lead end-to-end solution design for scalable, high-performance applications
  • Conduct architectural reviews with domain experts
  • Maintain technology roadmaps and propose modernization strategies
  • Write high-quality code and implement serverless components
  • Design and maintain AWS CI/CD pipelines
  • Conduct code reviews and enforce coding standards
  • Collaborate with stakeholders to translate business requirements into technical designs

Benefits

  • Medical, vision, and dental benefits
  • 401k retirement plan
  • Variable pay/incentives
  • Paid time off and holidays
Full Job Description
Job Description

Job Summary

We are looking for an accomplished Java Technical Lead with 10-12 years of experience in designing and delivering enterprise-grade applications. This role requires deep hands-on technical expertise, leadership in driving engineering best practices, and the ability to guide teams through complex architectural decisions.

The ideal candidate will have full-stack proficiency in Java technologies, strong database skills (Oracle, RDS), and cloud-native development experience in AWS. You will also serve as a technical mentor, ensuring your team grows in both technical capability and delivery maturity.

Key Responsibilities

Technical Leadership & Architecture

Lead end-to-end solution design for new features and applications, ensuring scalability, performance, and security.

Conduct architectural reviews in collaboration with domain experts and align with enterprise architecture standards.

Maintain technology roadmaps for Java-based systems and propose modernization strategies (e.g., microservices, containerization).

Evaluate and integrate emerging tools, frameworks, and patterns into the technology stack.

Drive proof-of-concepts (POCs) for new initiatives and technologies.

Hands-On Development

Write high-quality, maintainable, and efficient code in Java (Java 8/11/17) using Spring Boot, REST APIs, and microservices patterns.

Implement AWS Lambda functions, cron jobs, and other serverless components for event-driven architectures.

Develop and optimize SQL queries and stored procedures for Oracle and Amazon RDS.

Participate in debugging, performance tuning, and incident resolution for production systems.

Cloud & DevOps Enablement

Design and maintain AWS CI/CD pipelines using CodePipeline, CodeBuild, and CodeDeploy.

Manage cloud infrastructure for high availability, security, and disaster recovery.

Integrate automated testing into the pipeline (unit, integration, and performance tests).

Monitor application health using AWS CloudWatch, setting up alerts and dashboards.

Code Quality & Governance

Conduct code reviews to ensure adherence to coding standards, security best practices, and performance optimization.

Define and enforce coding guidelines, branching strategies, and release processes.

Collaborate with QA to ensure test coverage and defect resolution before releases.

Maintain project documentation and knowledge base in Confluence.

Coach and mentor developers on design patterns, cloud best practices, and clean coding principles.

Provide constructive feedback and career development support to team members.

Stakeholder Management & Collaboration

Work closely with Product Owners, Business Analysts, and Architects to translate business requirements into technical designs.

Engage with DevOps, Security, and Infrastructure teams to ensure smooth releases.

Act as a point of escalation for technical issues and blockers within the team.

Communicate technical risks, dependencies, and timelines to senior management.

Required Skills & Qualifications

Bachelor's/master's degree in computer science, Information Technology, or related discipline.

10-12 years of progressive experience in software development, with 3+ years in a leadership role.

Strong expertise in:

Java (Java 8/11/17), Spring Boot, REST API development, microservices architecture.

AWS Cloud Services: Lambda, EC2, S3, RDS, CloudWatch, API Gateway, CodePipeline, CodeBuild, CodeDeploy.

Databases: Oracle, Amazon RDS (design, performance tuning, query optimization).

DevOps & CI/CD: Git, Jenkins, AWS pipelines, build automation, deployment pipelines.

Scheduling: Cron jobs, event-driven tasks.

Familiarity with containerization tools (Docker, Kubernetes) is a plus.

Solid understanding of software architecture, design patterns, and clean code principles.

Excellent communication, problem-solving, and analytical skills.

Preferred Skills

AWS Certification (Solutions Architect, Developer, or DevOps Engineer).

Knowledge of performance monitoring, profiling tools, and cloud cost optimization.

Experience in multi-region, high-availability application deployments.

Exposure to front-end frameworks (React, Angular) for full-stack context.

Soft Skills & Leadership Competencies

Mentorship mindset - committed to developing the skills of team members.

Decision-making ability under pressure with a balance of technical depth and business context.

Strong collaboration skills across geographically distributed teams.

Change champion - promoting adoption of modern tools, processes, and agile practices.

Proactive problem solver with a bias towards action and delivery.

Compensation, Benefits and Duration

Minimum Compensation: USD 40,000
Maximum Compensation: USD 142,000
Compensation is based on actual experience and qualifications of the candidate. The above is a reasonable and a good faith estimate for the role.
Medical, vision, and dental benefits, 401k retirement plan, variable pay/incentives, paid time off, and paid holidays are available for full time employees.
This position is not available for independent contractors
No applications will be considered if received more than 120 days after the date of this post

About Photon

Photon Careers

Joining Photon presents an unparalleled opportunity to advance one's career with a leader in digital innovation. Photon is actively seeking talented individuals to join its diverse team of professionals, dedicated to reshaping industries through technology and creativity.

Explore Job Opportunities

Photon offers a variety of job opportunities that cater to a range of skills and interests. Each position at Photon is designed to challenge team members while providing meaningful pathways for professional and personal growth.

Experience the Culture and Benefits

Photon is committed to fostering a workplace culture that promotes diversity and inclusion. The company provides comprehensive benefits designed to support the health, well-being, and financial security of each team member. At Photon, every professional enjoys access to career development programs and diversity training, ensuring they are equipped for leadership roles in an evolving marketplace.

Engage in Professional Growth

Photon believes in the power of innovation and leadership to drive success. The company supports its team members with resources for continuous learning and growth, including advanced training sessions and leadership workshops. Networking within Photon’s industry-leading community allows for unparalleled career advancement and skill enhancement.

Internship Programs

For those beginning their professional journey, Photon offers internship programs that provide a robust foundation in digital solutions. Internships at Photon are characterized by immersive projects and hands-on learning, guided by experts in various fields. These programs are a gateway to full-time employment and a promising career path.

Join the Team

Photon is hiring! Explore open positions that match your skills and interests. Photon looks for passionate, curious, creative, and solution-driven team players. Whether you are starting your career or looking to make a significant impact in your professional journey, Photon has a place for you.

Prepare for Your Interview

Photon values a thorough selection process. Prospective team members are encouraged to prepare by understanding the company’s mission and values. Tailoring your resume to highlight relevant experience and skills will make a significant difference. Engage actively during your interview, demonstrating your knowledge and enthusiasm for the role you are applying for.

Stay Connected

Keep up to date with the latest from Photon by following the company’s career blog. Gain insights from insiders, learn about new job openings, and get tips on preparing your resume and acing your interview.

Career Development at Photon

Photon is dedicated to the professional development of its team members. The company offers various tools and resources, including career coaching and performance feedback, to help individuals reach their full potential. With Photon, career aspirations are nurtured, encouraging every team member to excel and innovate in their respective roles.

Networking and Career Opportunities

Photon encourages its team members to engage in networking within the company and the broader industry. These connections can lead to myriad opportunities, from collaborative projects to mentorship. Networking at Photon is not just about building professional relationships; it's about fostering a community of innovation and mutual growth.

Conclusion

Photon is not just a company; it is a community of driven professionals committed to making a difference. With a focus on innovation, leadership, and diversity, Photon offers a dynamic environment where ambitious individuals can thrive. Explore the possibilities and join Photon’s team of leaders, innovators, and visionaries.
Learn more about Photon

Similar Jobs

More Jobs at Photon

More Information Technology Jobs

Find similar Tech Lead - Dallas, TX jobs: