Java Tech Lead

About the role

Appfire is looking for a Tech Lead - Fullstack Engineer to join the BigPicture team and help evolve a modern, cloud-based SaaS platform. You’ll lead the design of new functionality, optimize existing services, and support systems used by thousands of tenants. This role is heavily rooted in backend expertise, requiring a profound understanding of Java, Spring, and AWS / Cloud technologies. Additionally, the ideal candidate must have the willingness and capability to look after the frontend layer (TypeScript, Angular, or React), bridging the gap to deliver end-to-end solutions.

You will be joining a mature engineering team working on BigPicture. Over the coming quarters, the team will be heavily focused on AI-driven initiatives, including areas such as AI chatbot capabilities, data quality improvements, and dynamic reporting. As a Tech Lead, you will also drive the adoption of modern AI-assisted development practices to boost team productivity. This role reports to the Engineering Manager and works cross-functionally with product, UX, and DevOps.

You can choose to work remotely from anywhere in Bulgaria.

What you’ll do:

• Technical Leadership: Leading technical discussions, making architectural decisions and guiding a mature engineering team through upcoming AI-driven product initiatives.
• Core Backend Development: Designing, implementing, and optimizing complex, scalable backend functionalities using Java, Spring, and AWS.
• Frontend Feature Delivery: Taking ownership of the frontend layer using TypeScript and Angular or React to support fullstack product delivery.
• AI Initiatives Execution: Leading the technical implementation of upcoming AI features, specifically focusing on AI chatbot capabilities, data quality improvements, and dynamic reporting.
• AI-Assisted Development: Actively using and promoting modern AI developer tools (e.g., Cursor, Claude) to maximize efficiency and modernize engineering workflows.
• Quality Assurance: Ensuring high code quality through rigorous testing (unit, integration, e2e), conducting peer code reviews, and solving performance-related challenges.
• Collaboration: Partnering closely with Product Owners, UX/UI designers, and other engineering teams.

Technical Highlights:

• Add your value to a complex yet well-designed application (BigPicture), having over 100 modules and fully-fledged Domain-Driven Design (ubiquitous language, aggregates, domain events etc.).
• Practice your craftsmanship in good design (clean code, SOLID, Inversion of Control) and in various architectures (hexagonal, event-driven, pipes&filters, modular monoliths, microservices and more).
• Dive deep into a heavy backend stack built on Java and Spring, while utilizing AWS to scale our advanced cloud (SaaS) architecture serving thousands of tenants.
• Work across the full stack by connecting robust backend services with modern frontend components using TypeScript, Angular, or React.
• Build cutting-edge AI features, including AI chatbots, automated data quality systems, and dynamic reporting tools.
• Supercharge your workflow using state-of-the-art AI tools like Cursor, GitHub Copilot, and modern LLMs for code generation, refactoring, and architectural brainstorming.
• Thoroughly test what you build: with unit, integration and e2e tests (Spock, JUnit, Mockito, AssertJ, REST Assured, WireMock, Testcontainers, Cypress).
• Feel safe with our extensive CI process that automatically runs unit, integration, e2e, architecture, migration and performance tests on your commit.

What you'll need:

• Technical Leadership: Proven experience acting as a Tech Lead, driving technical direction, making architectural choices, and mentoring senior/mid-level engineers.
• Strong Java & Spring Foundation: Deep, practical knowledge of Java, Spring, Hibernate, and SQL.
• Cloud & AWS Expertise: Strong understanding of SaaS architecture and extensive experience building/scaling applications within cloud environments, specifically AWS.
• Frontend Capability: Good hands-on skills in TypeScript and modern frameworks (Angular or React) combined with a genuine willingness to develop fullstack features.
• AI & Modern Tooling: High comfort level working with AI technologies, proficiency with AI-assisted development practices (specifically Cursor, Copilot), and an interest or background in implementing AI features (e.g., LLM integration, data indexing).
• Clean Code & Patterns: A good understanding of SOLID principles and common design patterns to keep the codebase maintainable.
• Testing & Tools: Proficiency in JUnit/Spock, Git, Maven, and Docker.
• Production-Ready Mindset: Experience in evolving and scaling established systems (beyond just greenfield projects) and a focus on long-term code maintainability.
• Performance Awareness: Ability to use profiling tools and a focus on writing efficient code that performs well under load.

Beyond the resume skills that match our culture and this role:

• You are dedicated to elevating client and co-worker experiences, knowing that exceptional work centers on serving others.
• You adapt swiftly to new business demands, understanding that change fuels collective and individual growth.
• You excel in communication, effectively connecting in remote/hybrid environments using tools like Slack, Zoom, and G Suite and through occasional in-person events.
• You have exceptional coaching, mentoring, and people development skills.

What we offer:

• Equity - Every Appfire team member is eligible for company equity, fostering a true sense of ownership and connection to our growth
• Paid time off - 25 paid days off regardless of your years of tenure. Increases to 30 days of annual leave per year after 5 years of employment
  24 hours of paid volunteer time to engage in meaningful activities outside of work
• Training and personal development - Grow with Appfire University — our custom, on-demand learning platform designed to support your continuous development
• Health insurance - Private health insurance through UNIQA, fully paid by the company
• Multisport Card - The card is fully covered by Appfire
• Transport Card - Sofia City Transport Card, fully paid by Appfire, providing access to all modes of public transportation within the city
• Food vouchers - Pre-paid Pluxee lunch card with a monthly budget of 102,26 EURO
• Baby Bonus - To celebrate new additions to the family, employees receive a one-time net bonus of 511 EURO upon the birth of a child
• Volunteering - 3 fully paid days each year to participate in Appfire Town, our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program supporting local communities
• Flexibility - The role is fully remote within Bulgaria, with the option to work from our Sofia office.

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