Lead Java Developer

Position Title: RQ11600 - Senior Full Stack Software Developer

Location: Toronto, ON

Mode: Contract

Position Overview

The Community Services Cluster is seeking three experienced Senior Full Stack Software Developers to design, develop, implement, test, deploy, and maintain complex enterprise web applications. The successful candidates will work across the full software development lifecycle (SDLC), translating technical specifications and business requirements into secure, scalable, reliable, and high-performing software solutions.

Candidates must possess strong expertise in Java Enterprise Edition (J2EE), front-end and back-end development, relational database technologies, RESTful APIs, cloud-native architectures, and DevOps practices. Hands-on experience with Microsoft Azure, Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS), and WebSphere Liberty or Open Liberty is essential.

The developers will collaborate with business stakeholders, architects, technical teams, and project leadership to support application modernization, system integration, data processing, troubleshooting, and continuous delivery.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, test, deploy, and maintain enterprise-grade, n-tier web applications using established development standards and architectural patterns.
• Translate business requirements and technical specifications into detailed programming specifications, application designs, and production-ready code.
• Develop and maintain front-end interfaces, back-end services, database components, and RESTful APIs.
• Design, implement, and enhance data pipelines, including data extraction, transformation, loading, validation, and integration activities.
• Develop reusable, modular, maintainable, and testable software components using Java, Java EE, JavaScript, React, Angular, and related technologies.
• Design and optimize relational database structures, SQL queries, data models, and application-to-database integrations.
• Implement and maintain cloud-native solutions using Microsoft Azure, AKS, and WebSphere Liberty or Open Liberty.
• Support application deployment, migration, modernization, and configuration across cloud, virtualized, and on-premises environments.
• Implement automated build, testing, integration, and deployment processes using appropriate DevOps tools and practices.
• Perform unit, integration, system, regression, and other relevant testing activities; investigate defects and verify corrective actions.
• Troubleshoot application, database, middleware, integration, and deployment issues, providing technical support during implementation and post-deployment activities.
• Apply secure coding practices and contribute to application security, cryptography, threat and risk assessments, and business impact analysis.
• Ensure applications meet performance, scalability, reliability, accessibility, and maintainability requirements, including applicable AODA standards.
• Develop and maintain technical documentation, application architecture artifacts, data models, test specifications, deployment procedures, and user documentation.
• Participate in design walkthroughs, code reviews, technical discussions, and knowledge-transfer sessions.
• Collaborate with business analysts, project managers, architects, QA specialists, database administrators, and other IT professionals throughout the SDLC.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior developers while ensuring delivery commitments and project deadlines are met.

Mandatory Qualifications and Technical Skills

1. Full Stack Development and Application Architecture

• Extensive experience developing and maintaining complex, n-tier, web-based enterprise applications.
• Strong knowledge of application architecture, front-end and back-end integration, API development, and database design.
• Hands-on experience with Java EE/J2EE, Core Java, Servlets, JavaServer Faces (JSF), Spring, and MyBatis ORM.
• Experience with React, Angular/AngularJS, Apache MyFaces, HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript, jQuery, and Bootstrap.
• Strong understanding of RESTful services, SOAP web services, API integration, and Swagger/OpenAPI documentation.
• Experience designing reusable, scalable, secure, and maintainable software components.

2. Cloud and DevOps

• Hands-on experience with Microsoft Azure, Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS), and cloud-native technologies.
• Practical experience with WebSphere Liberty or Open Liberty.
• Experience with DevOps toolchains, continuous integration, continuous delivery/deployment (CI/CD), automated builds, and release management.
• Familiarity with Maven, Ant, Eclipse, JUnit, and related development and testing tools.
• Experience deploying, migrating, and supporting applications across cloud, virtualized, and on-premises environments.
• Knowledge of middleware, application servers, gateways, and service integration patterns.

3. Database and Data Technologies

• Strong experience with Oracle Database 19c or later and SQL.
• Experience with relational database technologies, data modelling, information retrieval, and query optimization.
• Familiarity with SQL Server and other enterprise database platforms.
• Experience designing and implementing data pipelines and integrating applications with databases and external services.

4. Testing, Security, and Quality Assurance

• Experience designing and executing unit, integration, functional, regression, and system testing.
• Strong understanding of SDLC methodologies, including Agile, Scrum, Waterfall, iterative development, and DevOps.
• Experience with application security, secure coding, cryptography, and vulnerability mitigation.
• Ability to conduct technical troubleshooting, assess system risks, and support threat and risk assessments.
• Knowledge of application performance, scalability, reliability, and accessibility considerations.

5. Platforms and Development Tools

• Experience working across Windows, Linux, and/or Solaris environments.
• Familiarity with iText, PDF architecture, printing management systems, and document-generation technologies.
• Experience with JRules, Oracle Content Management System, microservices, and WebSphere Application Server is an asset.
• Knowledge of Jira, Azure DevOps, and Agile/Scrum delivery practices.

General Skills and Competencies

• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams throughout the SDLC.
• Experience gathering, analyzing, and documenting requirements from business stakeholders and subject matter experts.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills, with a demonstrated ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines.
• Ability to provide technical leadership, mentor junior developers, and contribute to design reviews and knowledge-sharing activities.
• Strong client-service orientation and the ability to provide technical recommendations to project teams and senior management.

Desirable Qualifications

• Experience working within the Ontario Public Service (OPS) or other public-sector organizations.
• Familiarity with OPS architecture, development methodologies, and Government of Ontario IT Standards (GO-ITS).
• Knowledge of OPS Threat Risk Assessment (TRA) and Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA) processes.
• Experience with AODA and related accessibility legislation, regulations, and standards.
• Knowledge of information management principles, policies, and practices.
• Experience with rapid application development (RAD), application installation scripts, configuration management, and post-implementation support.
• Experience with Java application servers and technologies such as Tomcat, WebLogic, and Enterprise JavaBeans (EJB).
• Knowledge of user experience (UX), user interface (UI) design, and responsive web development.
• Experience with enterprise platforms such as ServiceNow, Salesforce, or SAP.