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Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Backend Java Software Developer - **Company:** Smart - **Location:** Belgium - **Experience:** Experienced - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Clean Code Principles, Java (Programming Language), Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), Artificial Intelligence, Unit Testing, Microsoft Azure, Cloud Computing, Software Quality, Continuous Integration, Data Governance, Data Security, Data Stores, Database Design, DevOps, Spring Framework, PostgreSQL, Open Data Protocol, Oracle Databases, Oracle Warehouse Builder, Scrum Methodology, Standard Sql, Software Construction, Software Engineering, Data Streaming, Transaction Data, Management of Software Versions, Cloud Platform System, GitHub Copilot, Spring-boot, Backend, Gitlab, Containerization, Integration Tests, Kubernetes, Information Technology, Apache Kafka, Restful APIs, Domain Driven Design, Code Restructuring, Docker, Legacy Systems, Programming Languages, Microservices - **Published:** July 1, 2026 - **Apply:** https://xintas.be/vacatures/form/4435 ## About the Role * Education: Master's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or equivalent experience Experience * Minimum 3-5 years of experience in Java backend development * Experience in building enterprise-grade backend systems and APIs * Experience in modernising legacy systems (especially data-centric architectures) * Experience working in event-driven platform environments * Experience with cloud-native development (Azure preferred) Skills * Backend Engineering (Core requirement) * Expertise in Java and Spring Boot * Good understanding of microservices architecture * Proven experience with REST API design and implementation Data & Migration * Knowledge of Domain Driven Design and hexagonal architecture. * Knowledge of database design and normalization. * Understanding of data models, contracts, and data flows * Experience with PostgreSQL Platform & DevOps * Hands-on experience with GitLab CI/CD pipelines * Experience deploying and operating services in Azure * Familiarity with Docker and container-based deployment in Kubernetes Event-driven & Integration * Experience (or strong understanding) of Kafka / event streaming architectures Engineering Excellence * Strong focus on clean code, testing, and maintainability * Experience with unit testing and integration testing frameworks * Solid understanding of Agile / Scrum methodologies Modern Development Practices * Experience using AI-assisted coding tools (e.g. Claude, Copilot) as part of the development workflow * Ability to integrate AI tools in a secure, efficient, and controlled engineering process * Excellent English communication skills, both verbal and written. Soft Skills * Curious about the full solution lifecycle (Business Requirement -> Architecture -> Implementation -> Test (including manual test) -> Operate * Ownership and accountability * Pragmatic and solution-oriented mindset * Ability to work hands-on, independently with guidance from tech lead/senior developer * Comfortable working in a transformational environment with evolving standards * Team player with strong collaboration skills. * Sees necessary documentation as a habit. * Quality-driven and detail-oriented. Nice-to-haves * Knowledge of API governance and data governance frameworks * Experience in international or distributed teams. ## Description This role is strictly focused on backend software development, with a strong emphasis on building scalable Java-based services to replace legacy monolithic solution and contribute to the development of a modern solution based on microservices utilizing the cloud platform. This role reports to Head of Service Management & Application Development. Context * This role will be reporting to the Head of Service Management & Application Development, in the Technology Department. Objective The objective of this role is to actively: * Contribute to the transformation of the organisation's central transactional data store by migrating existing monolithic solution into robust, maintainable, and scalable Java backend microservices, and/or * Focused on backend software engineering, with a strong emphasis on building scalable Java- based services to replace legacy Oracle data contracts and contribute to the development of modern data products aligned with Open Data Product standards. * The developer will play a key role in building the Smart Data Ecosystem by delivering production-grade microservices, based on modern software engineering standards., * Develop, maintain and operate Java-based backend microservices * Refactor and migrate monolithic central data store into Java microservices * Build RESTful APIs and microservices for data access and integration * Implement domain-driven, data-centric microservices * Ensure performance, scalability, and reliability of backend systems * Integrate with event streaming platforms (Kafka) when applicable * Contribute to CI/CD pipelines (GitLab) and DevOps practices * Deploy and operate services in cloud environments (Azure) * Apply modern software engineering best practices (testing, code quality, versioning) * Collaborate with data engineers, architects, and data product owners * Leverage AI-assisted coding tools (e.g. Claude, GitHub Copilot) to improve development efficiency and code quality Tech stack * Languages & Frameworks: Java (21+), Spring Boot / Spring Framework * CI/CD & DevOps: GitLab (repositories, pipelines, CI/CD) * Cloud Platform: Microsoft Azure * Data & Databases: Oracle (legacy), PostgreSQL, SQL * Streaming & Integration: Kafka * Containerisation: Kubernetes , Docker * AI-assisted development: Claude or equivalent tools ## Related Videos - [WeAreDevelopers LIVE - Modern DevOps for IoT Devices and More](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1805-wearedevelopers-live-modern-devops-for-iot-devices-and-more) - [Next Level Enterprise Architecture: Modular, Flexible, Scalable, Multichannel and AI-Ready?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1017-next-level-enterprise-architecture-modular-flexible-scalable-multichannel-and-ai-ready) - [From DevOps to Scaled DevOps: How We’re Rebuilding Continuous Delivery as a Platform](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100018-from-devops-to-scaled-devops-how-we-re-rebuilding-continuous-delivery-as-a-platform) - [Docker Compose: Rediscovered](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1978-docker-compose-rediscovered) - [Navigating the Corporate Jungle: Life as a Developer in a large Company](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/621-navigating-the-corporate-jungle-life-as-a-developer-in-a-large-company) - [Enabling automated 1-click customer deployments with built-in quality and security](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/83-enabling-automated-1-click-customer-deployments-with-built-in-quality-and-security) ## Related Articles - [Where to Find Entry-Level Software Engineering Jobs](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/397-where-to-find-entry-level-software-engineering-jobs) - [The Most Popular IT Jobs on the Market](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/376-the-most-popular-it-jobs-on-the-market) - [7 Most Popular Web Developer Jobs in Europe](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/163-7-most-popular-web-developer-jobs-in-europe) - [Where To Find Software Engineering Jobs](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/396-where-to-find-software-engineering-jobs) - [The 12 Best Jobs for Software Engineers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/401-the-12-best-jobs-for-software-engineers) - [Software Developer Salary in The Netherlands [2023]](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/217-software-developer-salary-in-the-netherlands-2023)