Software Engineer

Job Description

Principal Software Engineer – Java

As a Principal Software Engineer – Java Architect, you will play a key role within the eLIMS-Forensics programme, supporting delivery of enterprise systems across Forensic Case Management, LIMS and Expert Reporting platforms.

This role operates within a complex, regulated forensic environment and combines software architecture, hands-on development, and delivery leadership. You will work with the core Qualitype team (based in Dresden, DE), operational SMEs, solution architects and distributed development teams across the UK, Europe, nearshore and offshore locations.

The position focuses on full lifecycle delivery including technical design, implementation, system evolution and automation, ensuring solutions are robust, scalable and aligned with forensic operational processes and compliance requirements.

Primary Responsibilities

• Own and contribute to architecture and development of enterprise Java applications
• Provide technical guidance on design and implementation across distributed teams
• Support modernisation and evolution of legacy forensic systems
• Ensure scalable, maintainable and high-performance solutions
• Share knowledge and support capability development across nearshore and offshore teams
• Collaborate with product, QA, DevOps and architecture stakeholders

Specific Assignments

• Software Engineering & Full-Stack Development
• Develop enterprise applications across client and server components
• Work with:
• Java 11 / Java 17
• Java EE / Jakarta EE
• Eclipse RCP, SWT & JFace (rich client applications)
• WildFly Application Server
• Support modularisation of legacy systems and development of new platforms
• Implement integration and high-performance processing logic

Architecture & Design

• Define software architecture for enterprise applications
• Apply object-oriented design and design patterns (SOLID, Clean Code)
• Support modular system design and decomposition
• Contribute to technical concept design and implementation

Database & Backend Engineering

Design and optimise backend services and data models

• PostgreSQL
• JPA / Hibernate
• JPQL / CriteriaBuilder
• Ensure scalability, integrity and performance of data-intensive systems

DevOps, CI/CD & Automation

• Work within Git-based development processes
• Develop and maintain CI/CD pipelines in Azure DevOps
• Manage containerised environments (Docker)
• Use Maven / Eclipse Tycho for build management
• Implement automated build, deployment and release processes

Quality, Performance & Reliability

• Ensure high code quality through testing and best practices
• Perform performance profiling and optimisation (JVM tuning)
• Support production stability and continuous improvement
• Work closely with QA for test coverage and release quality

Collaboration & Delivery

• Work within Agile / Scrum delivery teams
• Collaborate across UK, Europe, nearshore and offshore delivery centres
• Support team mobilisation, onboarding, training and knowledge transfer
• Act as a technical interface between business and IT teams

Skills Required

Core Technical Skills

• Java (11 / 17)
• Java EE / Jakarta EE
• Eclipse RCP, SWT, JFace
• PostgreSQL
• WildFly Application Server

Architecture & Development

• Enterprise software architecture
• Object-oriented development
• Clean Code and Design Patterns
• Modularisation of applications
• Legacy system evolution

Backend & Data

• JPA / Hibernate
• JPQL / CriteriaBuilder

DevOps & Tooling

• Git / Git-based workflows
• Azure DevOps
• CI/CD pipelines
• Docker
• Maven / Eclipse Tycho
• Automated build and release processes

Qualifications

Preferred Qualifications

• Degree in Computer Science, Engineering or related field
• Extensive experience (8 +) in enterprise Java development and DevOps practices
• Proven experience in architecture and hands-on development
• Experience working in regulated or complex operational environments (Forensics, LIMS, etc.)
• Strong collaboration skills across distributed delivery teams