Lead Java Developer

Ship.Cars is a U.S. software company with a technology center in Bulgaria. We are disrupting the logistics industry with our AI-driven software, which includes native mobile and web applications and scalable cloud-native systems.We need a Java Backend Lead Developer to lead a team of 3-6 engineers. This is a hands-on role where you will:Design and code backend services.Manage a development roadmap.Conduct code reviews and set engineering standards.Work with the Product team on project scope.Mentor and coach engineers.Ensure the team delivers high-quality, reliable services.Primary Duties and ResponsibilitiesLead a backend engineering squad, ensuring high-quality delivery and professional growth of team members.Contribute code daily (approx. 70–80% coding time) while providing technical guidance and reviews.Own one or more domains/services, their architecture, and their roadmap.Partner with Staff Engineers and Product to ensure scope, delivery commitments, and domain consistency.Run design reviews and set engineering best practices across the backend team.Drive reliability, including defining SLOs, supporting on-call rotations, and serving as incident commander when needed.Collaborate closely with QA, Product, Design, and DevOps to ensure smooth, predictable delivery.Actively participate in hiring, onboarding, and performance feedback cycles for engineers in your team.Foster a culture of ownership, accountability, and continuous improvement.Qualifications7–10+ years of professional experience in Java backend development.Strong hands-on experience with Spring Boot, Quarkus, and Domain-Driven Design.Solid experience with databases – Postgres, Redis, JPA, Elasticsearch, etc.Strong experience building and integrating REST APIs (Jersey, third-party integrations).Experience securing, updating, and maintaining backend systems at scale.Good understanding of DevOps processes and CI/CD pipelines.Experience leading delivery and cross-team initiatives.Evidence of mentoring, coaching, or people leadership.Excellent understanding of OOP, design patterns, and engineering best practices.Strong communication, collaboration, and conflict-resolution skills.Excellent spoken and written English.Ownership mindset and proactive attitude.We would love to offer youA chance to lead a highly skilled backend team working on impactful global products.Opportunities to grow both as a technical leader and a people manager.Excellent remuneration package to free your mind of everyday worries.Additional health insurance package.Food vouchers.Individual training budget and leadership coaching.Seminars, conferences, and team events participation.Flexible working hours with 24 days paid time off.Great office location.Referral Bonus Program.Team buildings and corporate parties.50% sponsored sports card.Are you up for a challenge? Are you ready to lead and grow with us?Send your CV in English. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview.