Backend Lead, Java/Kotlin

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in Philippines.

📋 Description

• During the first six months, you will serve as the main technical authority on a new initiative, making essential architectural choices, shaping the infrastructure framework, defining the release process and testing strategies, and collaborating closely with business stakeholders to ensure technical direction aligns with actual product needs. You will also be responsible for writing production code.

• From month six onwards, you will build and manage the team surrounding the infrastructure you have established, which includes Kotlin developers, system analysts, and QA engineers, while continuing to oversee architecture as the product evolves from its foundational stage to full-scale production.

• Act as the essential link between the business and engineering teams throughout both phases: you will set the direction before the team is formed and maintain this connection as it expands.

• Make critical foundational architecture decisions for a new banking domain — decisions made solely by you, free from prior influences.

• Evaluate and improve the existing infrastructure setup and CI/CD methodology for a product being developed from the ground up.

• Create the release process and testing strategy from scratch.

• Write production-level code in Java and Kotlin during the initial solo phase.

• Assemble and lead a cross-functional team of Kotlin developers, system analysts, and QA engineers starting from month six.

• Conduct code and design reviews, mentoring the team on principles of distributed systems and production ownership.

• Take full responsibility for the delivery of the team's technical projects — remain actively engaged rather than transitioning to a purely coordinating role.

⛳️ Requirements

• Demonstrated strong commercial experience in Java — this is essential.

• Broader expertise in JVM technologies; commercial experience in Kotlin is also highly regarded alongside Java.

• Minimum of one year of experience in architectural or technical leadership, whether formal or informal.

• Genuine comfort in operating independently for extended periods: defining architecture, infrastructure direction, release processes, and testing strategies without a dedicated team.

• Proven experience in designing distributed systems and making substantial architectural decisions at production scale.

• Familiarity with PostgreSQL, AWS, Terraform, and GitLab CI/CD, or similar tools.

• Strong ability to communicate effectively and directly with business stakeholders, not just technical staff.

• Proficiency in English at a B2 level or higher.

🏝️ Benefits

• Stock option plan with a four-year vesting schedule.

• 22 vacation days, Philippine public holidays, plus 15 sick days.

• Comprehensive medical insurance for you and your family starting from day one, including access to an internal psychological support specialist.

• Provision of tools and equipment by the company.

• Relocation support (if applicable) including flights and two weeks of accommodation for you, your family, and your pets. Visa, paperwork, and logistics will be managed by us.

• Regular offsite events, team sports, and activities across Southeast Asia. Top-performing teams can earn a week at a beach house in the region.

• Professional development opportunities, including internal expert meetups, external conferences, and chances to publish articles and share knowledge.