Lead Java Kotlin Backend Engineer (Java/Kotlin)

TL;DR

Lead Java Kotlin Backend Engineer (Java/Kotlin): Building scalable cloud-native backend systems for product organizations with an accent on architectural design, system reliability, and performance demands. Focus on contributing to architectural design, system design CI CD, observability, and guiding clients toward technical maturity.

Location: Amsterdam. Most of your work is remote, with one or two days per week on-site.

Salary: €80,000–€86,400 per year

Company

A boutique software engineering consultancy that takes on complex technical challenges at clients where engineering culture needs to be shaped or strengthened, offering co-ownership potential and venture building opportunities.

What you will do

• Build scalable cloud-native backends using Java or Kotlin with Kubernetes, Docker, AWS, or GCP.
• Contribute to architectural design, system design, CI/CD, and observability.
• Collaborate closely with product designers, cloud, and data engineers in multidisciplinary teams.
• Take technical ownership and act as a sparring partner for clients and colleagues.
• Guide clients toward technical maturity – from architecture to engineering culture.
• Lead the JVM unit and co-develop the organization with other leads in data, cloud, and product alongside the founders.

Requirements

• 8+ years of backend engineering experience using Java or Kotlin.
• Experience in modern cloud-native environments with AWS or GCP using Docker and Kubernetes.
• Proven technical leadership and mentoring skills.
• DevOps mindset including CI/CD, observability, and infrastructure as code.
• Experience in high-performance or large-scale systems.

Nice to have

• Experience with Go or Node.js.
• Graph database experience.
• Entrepreneurial spirit and the drive to build and grow something of your own.

Culture & Benefits

• After 12 months, the opportunity to set up your own holding and earn 12 percent ownership in the overall business.
• Work in a tight-knit team that combines technical excellence with long-term vision and friendship.
• Flexible working hours and options for 32, 36, or 40-hour contracts.
• A rare combination of deep consultancy work and product development.
• Collaborate with colleagues who are truly top of their game.