Principal Backend Engineer – Java Serverless Development

Job Description

Principal Software Engineer Backend Technologies, Platform | Turnitin

The Tone:
This is a full-time role at Turnitin, located remotely in the UK. Turnitin develops an award-winning educational platform, providing critical tools for academic integrity and learning. This role is crucial for building and enhancing foundational systems that power both existing and new applications, focusing on scalable distributed systems and delivering high-performing, reliable software solutions as a core contributor to our shared services team.

The TL;DR
• Role: Full Time
• Type: Full-time
• Location: Remote – UK

• Team: Shared services team
• Mission: Develop and enhance the foundational systems that power both existing and new applications.
• Tech Stack: Java, AWS Lambda, Google Cloud Functions, React, Web Components, DynamoDB, API Gateway, SNS/SQS, EventBridge, CloudWatch, New Relic, Datadog

What You’ll Actually Do
• Lead Development: Design, develop, and optimize scalable backend services using Java and serverless technologies.
• Architect Systems: Architect and implement RESTful APIs and event-driven systems to support high-performance, distributed applications.
• Provide Technical Leadership: Offer technical guidance to the team, ensuring alignment with architectural standards and best practices.
• Collaborate and Mentor: Work effectively with cross-functional teams and mentor junior developers, fostering their growth and knowledge sharing.
• Optimize and Document: Analyze and optimize existing services for performance, scalability, and cost-efficiency, and create comprehensive documentation for developed components.

The Must-Haves
• Background: Principal-level backend engineer with deep proficiency in Java and extensive experience with serverless architectures.
• Experience: Over 10 years in backend development, extensive hands-on experience with serverless frameworks (e.g., AWS Lambda), and proven experience as a Tech Lead mentoring junior engineers.
• Skills: Expertise in Java, serverless cloud technologies (AWS Lambda, DynamoDB, API Gateway, SNS/SQS, EventBridge), distributed systems design, advanced data modeling, RESTful API and event-driven architecture, CI/CD pipeline implementation, modern DevOps practices, and comprehensive system design reviews.
• Bonus: Experience with frontend technologies like React or Web Components, familiarity with monitoring and observability tools (e.g., CloudWatch, New Relic, Datadog), knowledge of NoSQL databases, understanding of agile methodologies, or experience with AI/ML.