Principal Backend Engineer - Java

<h4><strong>Principal Backend Engineer – Java</strong></h4> <h4><strong>Location: London (Hybrid) | Practice Area: Technology & Engineering | Type: Permanent</strong></h4> <h4><strong>Build scalable backend solutions that help shape the future of financial services.</strong></h4> <h4><strong>The Role</strong></h4> <p>Capco is growing our Engineering team, and we’re looking for experienced Principal Backend Engineers with strong Java skills and a passion for delivering innovative solutions in financial services.</p> <p>As a Principal Backend Engineer at Capco, you’ll contribute to high-impact, client-facing projects and work with cloud-native technologies across different domains within Financial Services & Energy. You’ll collaborate with talented engineers, contribute to architecture and engineering decisions, and have access to industry-leading learning and development opportunities.</p> <p>You’ll also use approved AI tools, automation and AI-enabled engineering workflows where appropriate to improve development speed, quality and productivity, while applying human judgement, responsible AI guardrails and appropriate review.</p> <p><strong>What You’ll Do</strong></p> <ul> <li> <p>Build and deliver scalable backend services using Java 11, 17+, designing APIs and microservices for enterprise systems.</p> </li> <li> <p>Work across cloud platforms, particularly AWS, applying cloud-native deployment techniques and contributing to architecture and solution design.</p> </li> <li> <p>Develop robust automated test coverage across unit, component, integration, end-to-end and performance testing.</p> </li> <li> <p>Collaborate with clients, product managers and engineers in agile teams to design, deliver and troubleshoot large-scale distributed systems.</p> </li> <li> <p>Use approved AI tools, automation and AI-enabled workflows to support engineering activities such as development, testing, troubleshooting and documentation, with appropriate human review and responsible AI controls.</p> </li> </ul> <p><strong>What We’re Looking For</strong></p> <ul> <li> <p>Expertise in Java 11, 17+ and Spring Boot, with experience designing and delivering large-scale enterprise backend systems.</p> </li> <li> <p>Experience with cloud-native and distributed architectures, including microservices, event-driven patterns and CQRS, preferably deployed within AWS.</p> </li> <li> <p>Experience with CI/CD, Infrastructure as Code such as CloudFormation, and SQL and NoSQL databases.</p> </li> <li> <p>Experience with Kafka, Java streaming, automated testing and troubleshooting distributed systems.</p> </li> <li> <p>Curiosity and practical experience using approved AI, GenAI or AI-enabled development tools to improve engineering productivity, with an understanding of human-in-the-loop review, responsible AI, guardrails and escalation where required.</p> </li> </ul> <p><strong>Bonus Points For</strong></p> <ul> <li> <p>An appetite to contribute to the wider Capco business through activities such as thought leadership, supporting RFPs and coaching or mentoring engineering colleagues.</p> </li> <li> <p>Proficiency with GitLab for CI/CD processes and experience writing automation test cases in Cucumber using Behaviour Driven Development (BDD).</p> </li> <li> <p>AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate or Professional level certification.</p> </li> <li> <p>Knowledge of security best practices, including IAM R