Associate Technical Lead - Java

About CloudKeeper

CloudKeeper specializes in cloud cost optimization by leveraging group buying, commitment management, expert consulting, and advanced analytics to maximize customer value across AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud platforms. As a certified AWS Premier Partner, Azure Technology Consulting Partner, Google Cloud Partner, and FinOps Foundation Premier Member, CloudKeeper helps over 400 global companies reduce cloud expenses by approximately 20%, while modernizing cloud infrastructure with flexibility and no long-term commitments.

Role Overview

We seek an experienced Associate Technical Lead with 7 to 10 years in Core Java and J2EE to take ownership of system architecture, hands-on coding, and leading a team of 5 to 7 engineers. The ideal candidate balances design excellence with timely delivery and fosters a collaborative engineering culture.

Key Responsibilities

• Architect comprehensive high-level and low-level designs for distributed systems managing large-scale billing and usage data across multiple cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP).
• Assess trade-offs involving cost, latency, and reliability with justified rationale beyond diagrams.
• Define APIs, data models, and integration patterns suited for queuing, caching, and event-driven workflows.
• Conduct architecture reviews, proactively identify technical debt, and lead remediation plans.
• Transform ambiguous requirements into scoped system designs by asking pertinent questions.
• Evaluate build versus buy and MVP versus scale decisions in business context and timelines.
• Identify misaligned designs and proactively communicate concerns internally before customer impact.
• Collaborate with Product management to influence roadmap rather than merely executing backlog items.
• Mentor and develop individual engineers, setting clear objectives, delivering direct feedback, and handling underperformance proactively.
• Create a culture where design and code reviews elevate quality rather than hinder progress.
• Manage workload balance and resolve conflicts to ensure smooth delivery.
• Oversee delivery of multiple work-streams, estimate realistically, and highlight risks early.
• Facilitate Agile ceremonies that support team productivity without excessive disruption.
• Balance time effectively between coding and leadership responsibilities.
• Continue hands-on coding by delivering production-ready Java/J2EE code following best practices.
• Utilize Spring, Hibernate, REST frameworks and operate across relational databases (MySQL/Oracle) and NoSQL databases (MongoDB/DynamoDB).
• Employ AI-assisted coding tools like Kiro and Claude Code judiciously, ensuring quality and clarity in shipped code.
• Responsible for production incident management including triage, mitigation, and conducting postmortems to prevent recurrence.

Required Qualifications and Experience

• B.E./B.Tech/MCA degree in any specialization.
• 7 to 10 years of hands-on experience in Core Java and J2EE within Agile environments.
• Proven experience owning and defending system architecture decisions involving real trade-offs and failure handling.
• At least 2 years managing a team of 5 to 7 engineers with demonstrated success in career development coaching.
• Strong product judgment capable of challenging requirements when trade-offs do not justify them.
• Excellent time management skills, effectively balancing project delivery and people management.
• Hands-on expertise with Spring, Hibernate, RESTful APIs, Test Driven Development (TDD), and continuous integration tools such as Maven, Gradle, and Jenkins.
• Daily practical use of AI-assisted coding tools (such as Kiro, Claude Code) with sound judgment on appropriate integration.
• Solid foundation in design patterns, Object-Oriented Analysis & Design (OOAD), and integration strategies for queuing and caching.
• Comfortable with both relational (MySQL, Oracle) and NoSQL (MongoDB, DynamoDB, Cassandra) databases.
• Effective communication skills to explain design decisions to engineers, product managers, and leadership.
• Experience handling end-to-end production incident lifecycle including prevention of repeat issues.

Preferred but Not Mandatory

• Prior exposure to cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) or familiarity with FinOps/cost optimization domain.
• Knowledge of microservices architecture and event-driven systems.
• Experience working in high-growth product companies.
• Ability to remain calm under pressure with strong analytical thinking.