Sr. Java Developer - Struts Migration

We are looking for a hands-on Java Developer with deep experience in Apache Struts and enterprise Java migrations to join our client's application development team.

As a candidate will be stepping into an active, in-progress migration - 6 of 17 modules have already been completed, and established patterns are in place. Your mission is to carry that work across the finish line. This is a technical execution role - ideal for someone who thrives on structured, well-scoped engineering work and takes pride in clean, validated, production-ready output.

The selected candidate will be working on financial web platform spans which 9+ repositories and is built on Apache Ant + Ivy, deployed to IBM WebSphere.

Client will be migrating from Struts 2.5.x to Struts 7.x, which includes the full javax - jakarta EE namespace transition.

You will own the remaining 11 of 17 modules, working from established migration patterns already proven across the completed modules.

Responsibilities

• Execute module migrations - follow established patterns from the 6 completed modules to migrate the remaining 11 from Struts 2.5.x to Struts 7.x
• Perform Java to Jakarta namespace migration across Java source files - servlet filters, EJB beans, mail utilities, and action classes
• Update Struts XML configurations - migrate DTD references and validate action/interceptor/result mappings for Struts 7 compatibility
• Update web.xml deployment descriptors per module to the Jakarta EE schema .
• Upgrade transitive dependencies - Hibernate, Jackson, Bouncy Castle, and commons-fileupload as required per module.
• Validate JSP compatibility - confirm Struts taglibs render correctly under Struts 7.
• Build, test, and validate each module in non-production environments before sign off.
• Document all changes, decisions, and any module-specific issues encountered.

• IT Industry Experience - 10 + Years.
• 3+ years of hands-on Java development experience (Java 11 or 17).
• Solid experience with Apache Struts 2.x - ActionSupport, ServletActionContext, interceptors, OGNL, and Struts XML configuration.
• Practical understanding of the Jakarta EE namespace migration (javax.servlet , jakarta.servlet, javax.ejb , jakarta.ejb, etc.) - including the non-obvious edge cases.
• Experience with Enterprise JavaBeans (EJB) specifically the Home / Local / Remote interface pattern.
• Proficiency with Apache Ant + Apache Ivy build systems.
• Experience deploying to IBM WebSphere Application Server (traditional and/or Liberty.)
• Working knowledge of Hibernate ORM (5.x and/or 6.x).
• Ability to work with JSP and Struts tag libraries.
• Experience with CVE remediation in enterprise Java applications.
• Experience migrating commons-fileupload (1.x ? 2.x / Jakarta variant).
• Knowledge of Jackson databind and Bouncy Castle library upgrade patterns
• Experience in Red Hat Enterprise Linux environments.
• Familiarity with SQL Server JDBC drivers and Apache Hadoop/Hive JDBC connectivity
• Prior work in financial services or other regulated industries.
• Experience with AI-assisted development tools (e.g., GitHub Copilot, Devin) for accelerating mechanical refactoring tasks.
• Familiarity with GEM vulnerability scanning or equivalent enterprise security tooling.