Associate Developer - Backend

Job Posting Organization:
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is a pioneering international financial institution established in 199

• The EBRD's mission is to foster the transition to open market-oriented economies and promote private and entrepreneurial initiative in countries from Central Europe to Central Asia and the Southern and Eastern Mediterranean. The bank operates in over 30 countries and employs thousands of professionals dedicated to making a positive impact in the regions it serves. The EBRD is committed to sustainability, equality, and digital transformation, and it values inclusiveness, innovation, trust, and responsibility in its operations.

Job Overview:
The Associate Developer - Backend position at EBRD is a high-impact role that requires mastery of Java and the ability to tackle real-world complexities in software development. The successful candidate will be responsible for building enterprise-grade, cloud-native applications using Java 17+, Spring Boot, and microservices architecture. This role demands a strong focus on writing clean, maintainable code and solving complex software problems. The developer will lead quality assurance efforts through robust testing methodologies, including Test-Driven Development (TDD) and Behavior-Driven Development (BDD), while ensuring that solutions perform effectively in production environments with a focus on security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security, observability, and resilience. Collaboration with architecture, DevOps, and cloud teams (including Azure, Kubernetes, and Docker) is essential to deliver scalable systems that have a meaningful impact.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Associate Developer - Backend include:

• Software Design and Development: Design, develop, test, and maintain high-quality software solutions independently. Write clear, maintainable, and well-documented code. Develop and maintain RESTful APIs and microservices, ensuring they are scalable and maintainable. Integrate third-party services and APIs. Implement data storage solutions, including relational and NoSQL databases. Debug and troubleshoot software issues effectively.
• Quality Assurance: Conduct code reviews to ensure adherence to coding standards and best practices for Java development. Write unit and integration tests using frameworks like JUnit and Mockito to ensure code quality. Implement automated testing frameworks and tools to ensure reliability and performance. Follow TDD and BDD practices where applicable. Ensure non-functional requirements such as performance, security, and scalability are met.
• Operations, Maintenance, Support, and Documentation: Participate in deployment and release processes, ensuring smooth rollouts of new features. Monitor production systems, investigate issues, and provide timely resolutions. Maintain clear documentation of code and processes specific to Java, following established guidelines. Provide ongoing support and troubleshooting for Java solutions. Automate repetitive tasks and improve development workflows using scripting and DevOps practices.
• Data and Architecture: Develop and maintain RESTful APIs for Java solutions. Design and implement custom connectors and integrations with external systems. Assist in designing robust and scalable system architectures that align with organizational needs. Contribute to the design and implementation of data models and schemas for Java solutions. Evaluate and recommend best practices for integrating Java with external systems and third-party services.

Required Qualifications:
The required qualifications for the Associate Developer - Backend position include: - A degree or equivalent qualification in IT, engineering, or a scientific discipline. - Extensive working experience in Java (Java 17 or later) and the Spring Framework (Spring Boot, Spring MVC, Spring Data). - Proven experience in developing and optimizing RESTful APIs and microservices. - Proficiency in containerization technologies (Docker, Kubernetes) and cloud-native application development. - Strong skills in working with relational databases (Azure SQL) and ORM frameworks like Hibernate. - Experience with messaging systems such as ActiveMQ or Azure Service Bus. - A solid understanding of software development principles, system design, and architecture. - Extensive experience in writing unit and integration tests using JUnit, Mockito, and TDD. - Experience in implementing CI/CD pipelines for automated builds, testing, and deployments. - Familiarity with load testing and performance tuning for high-traffic applications. - Experience in deploying and maintaining applications in cloud environments (Azure, AWS, or GCP). - Knowledge of monitoring tools like Azure Monitor and Application Insights, and application logging strategies. - Experience in documenting software design, system architecture, and API contracts using OpenAPI specification. - Familiarity with microservices architecture, event-driven design, and distributed systems. - Knowledge of application authentication protocols (OAuth 2.0, JWT) and security best practices. - Ability to make architectural decisions considering scalability, reliability, and maintainability. - Understanding of caching strategies (Hazelcast, Redis) and database performance tuning techniques. - Strong analytical and critical thinking skills, with excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Educational Background:
Candidates should possess a degree or equivalent qualification in a relevant field such as IT, engineering, or a scientific discipline. This educational background is essential to ensure that the candidate has a solid foundation in the principles and practices of software development and engineering.

Experience:
The position requires extensive working experience in relevant technologies and practices. Candidates should have a proven track record of working with Java (Java 17 or later) and the Spring Framework, as well as experience in developing RESTful APIs and microservices. Familiarity with containerization and cloud-native application development is also crucial. Candidates should demonstrate their ability to work independently and manage complex software projects effectively.

Languages:
Fluency in written and spoken English is mandatory for this position. The ability to communicate effectively in English is essential for collaboration within the multicultural environment of the EBRD. Additional language skills may be considered an asset but are not mandatory.

Additional Notes:
This position is a fixed-term contract lasting for 3 years. The EBRD promotes a hybrid and flexible working environment, with a preference for in-person collaboration at least three days a week. The organization values diversity and encourages applications from qualified candidates regardless of their background. The EBRD offers a comprehensive suite of competitive benefits and prioritizes employee wellbeing.