Java Software Developer (Senior)

Job Title: Java Software Developer (Senior)
Location: Remote
Contract: USDA OMNI – NRCS Operations & Maintenance
Security Clearance: USDA Public Trust

Position Overview

The Java Software Developer (Senior) is a senior-level position responsible for architecting, designing, developing, and maintaining enterprise-scale Java applications supporting the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) IT ecosystem. This role requires deep expertise in Java EE technologies, Spring Framework, RESTful services, and SQL Server/Oracle database design, with demonstrated ability to lead development teams, mentor junior developers, and drive modernization and AWS cloud migration initiatives. The position operates with significant autonomy, provides Tier 3 technical support, and serves as a subject matter expert on assigned application domains including water and climate information systems.

Key Responsibilities

Application Development and Modernization

• Architect, design, and lead the development of Java-based web applications, RESTful APIs, and backend services using Java EE, Spring Boot/Spring Framework, Hibernate/JPA, and related technologies.
• Drive modernization of legacy Java applications, including server upgrades (WildFly, Apache), framework migrations (Spring, Gradle), and re-architecture for AWS cloud deployment.
• Design and implement RESTful web services for internal and external data consumers; refactor legacy SOAP services to REST where directed.
• Lead containerization and re-platforming efforts to prepare Java applications for deployment on AWS (EC2, EKS/ECS Fargate, Lambda).
• Design and implement database solutions using SQL Server and Oracle, including complex queries, stored procedures, views, and data transformation logic.
• Develop scheduled tasks, background services, and automated data pipelines for ingestion, transformation, and validation of real-time data feeds (e.g., GOES satellite, Iridium telemetry, external agency data).
• Build andmaintainfrontend components using React, TypeScript, JSF,PrimeFaces, or equivalent frameworks.
• Develop andmaintainapplication-level health checks, operability indicators, and automated monitoring endpoints for enterprise monitoring integration.
• Improve code quality through SonarQube scan compliance, raising code coverage thresholds, and proactivelyidentifyingvulnerabilities and security hotspots.

Operations and Maintenance

• Provide Tier 3 technical support for production applications, including deep technical analysis, root cause investigation, and defect resolution.
• Triage and classify application-level defects; develop, test, and deploy corrective fixes for application code, batch jobs, and database defects without introducing new vulnerabilities or technical debt.
• Develop and execute emergency workarounds or hotfixes tomaintaincontinuity of operations, following approved change control processes.
• Apply required updates and patches to supported applications and components, including Java runtime,WildFlyapplication server, Spring Framework, and dependent libraries.

• Refactor and optimize application code and database structures to improve performance and maintainability.
• Develop andmaintainapplication-specific disaster recovery runbooks, including validated restore procedures, dependency mapping, and configuration baselines.
• Define and document Recovery Time Objective (RTO) and Recovery Point Objective (RPO) targets for supported applications; align recovery procedures accordingly, subject to Government approval.
• Participate in planned and unplanned DR/COOP exercises and events; test failover and restore procedures at agreed intervals and capture results in after-action reports.

Release and Deployment Management

• Coordinate release activities for assigned applications and repor