Java Developer with Kafka, Claude AI, LLM,

Role: Java, Kafka, Claude AI (LLM experience), SQL (All MUST have)

Direct Client

Location: Dallas, TX or Basking Ridge, NJ or San Diego, CA

TECHNICAL SKILLS: Java · Spring Boot · Apache Kafka · Claude AI / Anthropic API · SQL · Microservices · REST APIs · Docker · Kubernetes · CI/CD · Git · JSON · JUnit · Azure / AWS

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

·         Design, develop, and maintain Java-based microservices using Spring Boot, following clean architecture and SOLID principles.

·         Build and manage Apache Kafka producers, consumers, and topic configurations to support real-time event streaming and data pipeline workflows.

·         Integrate Claude AI (Anthropic) APIs into backend services to enable intelligent automation, natural language processing, and AI-assisted decision-making features.

·         Write and optimize complex SQL queries, stored procedures, and schema designs across relational databases (PostgreSQL, MySQL, or Oracle).

·         Develop and expose RESTful APIs, ensuring proper documentation via Swagger/OpenAPI and adherence to security best practices.

·         Participate in CI/CD pipeline management using tools such as Jenkins, GitHub Actions, or Azure DevOps, and contribute to containerized deployments via Docker and Kubernetes.

·         Collaborate with product owners, QA, and DevOps teams in an Agile/Scrum environment to deliver iterative, well-tested software.

·         Conduct code reviews, mentor junior developers, and uphold engineering standards across the team.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

·         9+ years of hands-on Java development experience, including strong proficiency in Spring Boot and Spring Framework.

·         Demonstrated experience building and operating Apache Kafka-based event-driven architectures (producers, consumers, schema registry, partitioning strategies).

·         Practical experience integrating or working with large language model (LLM) APIs or generative AI tools (Claude, GPT, Gemini, or equivalent) in production backend systems.

·         Strong SQL skills including schema design, query optimization, and stored procedure development across one or more relational databases.

·         Proficiency with RESTful API design, JSON data modeling, and microservices communication patterns.

·         Bachelor''s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related technical field (or equivalent practical experience).

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

·         Experience in the telecommunications industry or with high-throughput, enterprise-scale backend systems.

·         Familiarity with NoSQL databases (MongoDB, Cassandra, or DynamoDB) in addition to relational SQL databases.

·         Exposure to prompt engineering, LLM API orchestration frameworks (LangChain4j, Semantic Kernel for Java, or similar), or AI-assisted developer tooling.

·         Knowledge of observability and monitoring tools such as Datadog, Dynatrace, or AppDynamics.

·         Prior experience in Agile/Kanban delivery with distributed or hybrid teams.