Java Developer

Client: State of Colorado (Judicial)
Job ID: Java Senior Engineer
Title: Java Developer
Duration: 12/01/2026 - 06/30/2027
Work Hours: Mon – Fri – 8am – 5pm MST
Location: 1300 Broadway, Suite 1100 Denver, Colorado - 80203
Position: Hybrid (1 day On-site on Tuesdays, Remote work rest of days).
Pay Range: $55.00 to $65.00 negotiable.

Job Description: We are seeking an experienced Java Developer Contractor to support the design, development, and maintenance of web applications, backend services, and cloud-based solutions. This role is ideal for someone who is comfortable working across the Java/Spring ecosystem, building REST APIs, integrating with AWS services, and contributing to modern CI/CD-driven development workflows. The right candidate will be hands-on, pragmatic, and comfortable working independently while collaborating with technical and business stakeholders.

Responsibilities:

• Design, develop, test, and maintain Java-based applications using Java SDK 21.
• Build and enhance applications using Spring Boot and the broader Spring Framework.
• Develop and maintain REST APIs and JSON-based integrations.
• Support smaller web applications using Thyme leaf, HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
• Work with AWS-based infrastructure and services, including ECS, API Gateway, and DynamoDB.
• Contribute to source control and development workflows using GitLab.
• Build, maintain, and troubleshoot GitLab CI/CD pipelines.
• Collaborate with team members on application architecture, implementation decisions, code reviews, and deployment practices.
• Support infrastructure-as-code efforts, especially where Terraform is used.
• Use IntelliJ IDEA as the primary development environment.
• Apply sound software engineering practices, including maintainable code design, testing, documentation, and operational awareness.
• Where appropriate, leverage AI-assisted coding tools to improve development productivity and code quality.

Required Qualifications:

• Strong professional experience developing applications with Java.
• Experience with Java 21 or recent versions of the Java SDK.
• Solid experience with Spring Boot and Spring-based application development.
• Experience designing, building, and consuming REST APIs.
• Strong working knowledge of JSON and API integration patterns.
• Familiarity with front-end technologies including HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
• Experience using Git-based source control, preferably GitLab.
• Experience working with CI/CD pipelines, preferably GitLab CI/CD.
• Practical experience developing, deploying, or supporting applications in AWS.
• Ability to work independently, communicate clearly, and deliver high-quality work in a contractor capacity.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with Thyme leaf for server-side templating.
• Hands-on experience with AWS services such as:
  • Amazon ECS
  • Amazon API Gateway
  • Amazon DynamoDB
• Familiarity with Terraform or other infrastructure-as-code tools.
• Experience using IntelliJ IDEA in a professional development environment.
• Familiarity with AI-assisted development tools such as Claude Code, GitHub Copilot, Cursor, or similar tools.
• Experience troubleshooting cloud deployments, application logs, build pipelines, and environment-related issues.
• Understanding of secure coding practices and cloud application security concepts.

Technical Environment: Our current technology stack includes:

• Java SDK 21
• Spring Boot / Spring Framework
• Thyme leaf
• REST APIs
• JSON
• HTML / CSS / JavaScript
• AWS, including ECS, API Gateway, and DynamoDB
• GitLab repositories
• GitLab CI/CD pipelines
• Terraform
• IntelliJ IDEA
• AI-assisted coding tools, including exploration of Claude Code

Ideal Candidate: The ideal candidate is a strong Java developer who can move comfortably between backend development, lightweight front-end work, cloud-based deployments, and CI/CD workflows. They should be able to understand existing systems quickly, contribute clean and maintainable code, and work effectively in a modern cloud-oriented development environment. Experience with AWS, GitLab pipelines, Terraform, and AI-assisted coding tools is highly valued.

Engagement Type: This is a contractor position. The contractor will work with our development team to deliver application enhancements, new features, integrations, and platform improvements.