Tech Lead

Job Title: Tech Lead Experience: 8+ years Location: Chicago, IL Job Type: Full-time Must be legally authorized to work in the United States for any employer without sponsorship Job Description: We are seeking an experienced Tech Lead with strong expertise in Java Spring Boot microservices who can lead development efforts, mentor team members, and drive high-quality deliverables in a fast-paced environment. The ideal candidate will have a deep understanding of microservice design, best coding practices, and cloud-based application development using modern frameworks and tools. You will collaborate closely with business stakeholders, architects, and developers to design, build, and maintain resilient, scalable, and efficient services. The role demands both hands-on coding skills and leadership capabilities to guide the team, ensure timely delivery, and maintain overall code quality. Key Responsibilities: Lead the design and development of microservices using Spring Boot and Java (JDK 11/17). Implement RESTful APIs using JAX-RS (Apache CXF) and manage data serialization with Jackson (JSON). Oversee and contribute to unit testing using JUnit and Mockito to ensure code reliability and performance. Work with AWS DynamoDB and Spring Data DynamoDB for database design and optimization. Design and manage message-driven applications with Kafka, EMS, MQ, or Solace middleware. Ensure seamless deployment through Docker and container orchestration with Kubernetes (AWS EKS) and AWS ALB. Manage CI/CD pipelines using Harness or TeamCity, ensuring smooth code integration and deployment. Monitor system health and performance using Datadog and Elasticsearch, performing root-cause analysis for issues. Collaborate with cross-functional teams and participate in daily scrum meetings to report progress and coordinate tasks. Guide team members by providing technical mentorship, code reviews, and architectural advice. Engage proactively in bug fixing, preventive maintenance, and performance tuning. Maintain version control and proper branching strategies using GitHub (PR, check-in/check-out). Ensure adherence to coding standards, security policies, and development best practices. Required Skills: Strong experience with Java, J2EE, Spring Boot, and microservice architecture. Hands-on experience with Apache CXF, Jackson, JUnit, Mockito, Kafka, AWS DynamoDB, Docker, Kubernetes (EKS), Datadog, Elasticsearch, and CI/CD tools. Solid understanding of annotations, reflection, and Lombok in Java. Knowledge of AWS cloud services and containerized deployments. Proven experience in troubleshooting and root cause analysis using logs and monitoring dashboards. Proficiency with IntelliJ/Eclipse IDEs and GitHub for version control. Nice-to-Have Skills: AWS Certification (Developer or Architect level). Exposure to DevOps practices and automation scripting. Soft Skills: Strong communication and leadership abilities. Ability to collaborate effectively with team members and business partners. Ownership mindset — proactive in identifying, analyzing, and resolving issues. Excellent time management and accountability for project deliverables.