Senior Software Engineer – Java, AWS

About the position

Cogent People is growing and looking for a Senior Software Engineer – Java, AWS to join a mission-critical federal healthcare program. In this hybrid role, you’ll be hands-on with development while also supporting system design, leading technical efforts, mentoring engineers, and working directly with clients. You’ll contribute to a high-impact, data-driven project that supports essential government systems, using AWS, Java, and Python to build secure, scalable, and reliable solutions in a SAFe Agile environment.

Responsibilities

• Hands-on Programming - Design, develop, and implement components and services for large-scale enterprise solutions, leveraging AWS, Java, and Python.
• Apply modern engineering methodologies to drive program success.
• System Design Support - Contribute to the architectural design and planning of systems, ensuring high-performance, high-availability, and scalability.
• Lead/Guide/Mentorship- Serve as a technical lead and provide mentorship and guidance to a team of engineers.
• Technical Authority & Communicator - Act as a point of contact with clients, providing technical direction and guidance.
• Assist with proposal support and technical interview evaluations.
• Collaborate with Project Managers, Business Analysts, Developers, and QA teams to deliver top-tier solutions in a cross-functional environment.
• Work within a SAFe agile framework, actively participating in development iterations and program increments to ensure continuous improvement and delivery.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field or equivalent experience.
• 7+ years of hands-on experience in designing and developing mission-critical, data-driven systems, particularly in cloud environments.
• Extensive experience with AWS services (e.g., ECS, Lambda, API Gateway, S3, and networking infrastructure).
• Strong experience with relational and non-relational databases, including SQL Server, DynamoDB, and Redshift.
• Proficiency with Docker, ECS, and containerized environments.
• Familiarity with CI/CD pipelines, Terraform, configuration management tools, and principles of zero-downtime deployments.
• In-depth understanding of serverless architectures, microservices, and event-driven systems.
• Strong grasp of security best practices and data protection standards.
• Extensive experience with Java (including Spring Boot) and JVM internals.
• Experience with AWS SDK is a plus.
• A strong willingness to learn new platforms and cloud services as the program evolves.
• Ability to mentor others, communicate effectively with clients, and contribute to both development and strategic planning efforts.
• Able to communicate effectively with client and peers.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience with AWS SDK is a plus.

Benefits

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance coverage through CareFirst.
• 401(k) Plan with matching contributions up to 4% of your annual compensation. Immediate vesting.
• Life, short-term and long-term disability, and AD&D insurance (company-paid).
• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO): 3 weeks annually, plus 10 additional federal holidays.