Java Developer - Remote

Role Overview

Join a customer team as an AI-focused Backend Developer in a remote, part-time contract position. You will design and improve robust backend APIs and collaborate with an engineering group and an AI research team.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop scalable REST and GraphQL endpoints.
• Ensure strong data validation, error handling, and API security practices.
• Plan and execute database migrations, performance tuning, and schema changes.
• Test new AI-powered models in Cursor and provide feedback via:
  • incident reports
  • bug traces
  • screenshots
• Participate in intensive 4-day testing bursts to evaluate how AI models affect real coding workflows.
• Collaborate with the research team in a dedicated Slack channel to discuss findings and propose improvements.
• Submit post-burst surveys covering model performance and developer experience.

Requirements

• 3+ years of professional backend development experience, with strong expertise in Java.
• Proficiency building and maintaining RESTful and GraphQL APIs.
• Advanced understanding of backend data validation, error handling, and API security.
• Hands-on experience with database migrations, performance tuning, and schema design.
• Extensive hands-on use of AI coding tools (experience with Cursor is highly desirable).
• Strong written and verbal communication, especially for clear incident/bug reporting.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, confidential, collaborative remote environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Visible open-source contributions (e.g., GitHub contributions/stars).
• Experience designing/evaluating experimental tooling and developer workflows.
• Demonstrated enthusiasm for AI advancements in software development.