Development Engineer

Join a dynamic engineering opportunity focused on building scalable backend solutions that power event-driven systems in a modern JVM environment. This remote role offers the chance to work on impactful services, REST APIs, and messaging workflows while contributing to reliable, high-performing applications.
Responsibilities

• Design and develop backend applications using Kotlin or Java in a JVM-based environment.
• Build and support event-driven and distributed systems with strong attention to reliability and scalability.
• Develop and maintain services that use messaging platforms such as Apache Kafka or similar tools.
• Create REST APIs and asynchronous service interfaces to support distributed application needs.
• Implement robust strategies for event producers and consumers, schemas, queues, and message contracts.
• Apply best practices for retry handling, error handling, idempotency, event ordering, and eventual consistency.
• Write and maintain unit, integration, and contract tests to validate backend and messaging workflows.
• Support performance, monitoring, and troubleshooting efforts for high-volume production systems.

Skills

• Strong experience building backend services with Kotlin or Java.
• Hands-on background in event-driven and distributed system design.
• Practical experience with Apache Kafka or a comparable messaging or streaming platform.
• Experience developing REST APIs and asynchronous service interfaces.
• Solid understanding of backend testing, including unit, integration, and contract testing.
• Knowledge of messaging interactions and validation of event-driven workflows.
• Ability to design solutions that support scalability, reliability, and maintainability.

Preferred Skills

• Experience improving the performance of high-volume distributed backend systems.
• Background in monitoring and troubleshooting event-driven systems in production.
• Familiarity with building solutions in fast-paced, collaborative engineering environments.

Horizontal is committed to fostering an inclusive workplace where diverse perspectives are welcomed, respected, and valued. We believe equity and inclusion strengthen our teams and help create better outcomes for everyone.

By applying for this position, you acknowledge and agree that Horizontal Talent may contact you regarding your application using automated technology, including phone calls, SMS/text messages, or email, which may be delivered by our virtual AI recruiter, Alex.

Please apply through this online posting or by visiting our Job Board at Applications will be accepted for 4 weeks. For those that join the team, we offer competitive compensation and benefits including medical, dental, vision, and retirement. Check out all we have to offer and how you can become part of the Horizontal Talent Team. The pay range for this role is $49 - $85 per hour based on qualifications and experience.