Senior Java/OpenShift Developer (Contract – Hybrid – Chicago, IL)

A pioneering leader in Cyber Security Technology is actively seeking a highly skilled and strategic Senior Java/OpenShift Developer (Contract – Hybrid – Chicago, IL) to join their specialized team. This contract position, based in Chicago, Illinois, offers a flexible hybrid work model, blending onsite collaboration with remote flexibility. As a vital member of the Global Information Security (GIS) department, specifically within the Cyber Security Technology (CST) team, the ideal candidate will possess robust analytical skills, exceptional problem-solving abilities, and a self-motivated attitude. These qualities are paramount for successfully aligning with the organization’s mission to develop cutting-edge solutions that fortify global information security.

Senior Java/OpenShift Developer (Contract – Hybrid – Chicago, IL)

Location: Chicago, IL – This is a Hybrid role, combining onsite presence in Chicago with remote work flexibility.

Employment Type: Contract

Pay Range: $75 per hour

Industry: Computer and Mathematical / Cyber Security Technology

What’s the Job? Architecting Secure, Containerized Java Applications

As a Senior Java/OpenShift Developer, you will be at the forefront of designing, developing, and deploying mission-critical Java applications within a modern, containerized environment. Your expertise will directly contribute to enhancing the organization’s cybersecurity posture through innovative software solutions.

• Design, Develop, and Deploy Java Applications in a Containerized Environment: You will lead the full software development lifecycle (SDLC) to design, develop, and deploy robust Java applications. These applications will operate within a highly efficient and scalable containerized environment, leveraging industry-leading platforms such as Red Hat OpenShift, Kubernetes, and Docker. Your responsibilities will span from architectural blueprinting to hands-on coding, ensuring that the applications are not only functionally rich but also inherently performant, resilient, and secure from the ground up, crucial for cybersecurity solutions that process sensitive data or perform critical security functions.
• Implement Containerization Strategies and Best Practices: A core aspect of your role will involve the implementation of sophisticated containerization strategies and best practices. This includes designing microservices architectures that optimize resource utilization and facilitate independent deployment, adhering to Twelve-Factor App principles for cloud-native development, and ensuring stringent container security measures (e.g., using minimal base images, integrating vulnerability scanning, enforcing least privilege principles, and configuring network policies within OpenShift). You will continuously optimize application performance within the OpenShift ecosystem through meticulous resource limits, effective readiness and liveness probes, and fine-tuning Java Virtual Machine (JVM) garbage collection for container workloads, all while maintaining the highest security standards.
• Build and Maintain CI/CD Pipelines with Jenkins and Ansible: You will be instrumental in establishing and maintaining robust Continuous Integration/Continuous Delivery (CI/CD) pipelines using industry-standard tools like Jenkins and Ansible. This involves designing “pipeline-as-code” scripts within Jenkins to automate compilation, testing (including unit, integration, and security scanning like SAST/DAST), and packaging of Java applications. You’ll leverage Ansible for configuration management, automating infrastructure provisioning and application deployment across various environments. Your expertise will streamline workflows, enable rapid, consistent, and automated deployments (including zero-downtime and blue/green deployment strategies), and accelerate the delivery of secure software updates.
• Migrate Existing Applications to OpenShift and Ensure Security Compliance: You will lead efforts to migrate existing applications, including both legacy SOAP and modern REST Services, to the OpenShift platform. This requires a keen understanding of migration methodologies, refactoring strategies for containerization, dependency management, and data migration considerations. Crucially, throughout this migration process, you will ensure that all applications comply with stringent security standards. This includes adherence to internal security policies, industry benchmarks (e.g., CIS benchmarks for Kubernetes), and regulatory requirements, conducting security audits, and implementing necessary controls within the OpenShift environment to secure the applications post-migration.
• Participate in Planning & Estimation, Peer Reviews, and Engineering Practices: As a Senior Developer, you will actively participate in agile planning and estimation activities, contributing to sprint planning, backlog grooming, and providing accurate effort estimates for complex features. You will engage in thorough peer reviews of code and design, providing constructive feedback to ensure high code quality, identify potential security flaws, and ensure architectural adherence. Furthermore, you will embody and promote other crucial engineering practices such as comprehensive unit and integration testing, robust documentation, and fostering knowledge sharing within the team to continuously elevate collective expertise and maintain high software quality.

What’s Needed? Essential Qualifications for a Senior Developer

To excel in this Senior Java/OpenShift Developer role, you’ll need extensive experience in large-scale Java development, deep expertise in containerization, and a strong understanding of modern software delivery practices, all within a cybersecurity context.

• Extensive Experience in Large-Scale Java Applications: You must possess a Bachelor’s degree or higher in computer science, engineering, or a related technical field, combined with a minimum of 7+ years of verifiable experience in building large-scale Java applications. This experience should demonstrate your ability to develop high-performance, resilient, and maintainable applications in complex, distributed environments, handling significant traffic volumes and intricate business logic.
• Strong Skills in REST APIs, Microservices, and Spring Boot: You must possess strong skills in designing and developing robust REST APIs (including API versioning, proper HTTP method usage, handling authentication like OAuth/JWT, and HATEOAS principles) and architecting Microservices. This includes experience with microservices design patterns (e.g., service discovery, circuit breakers, API gateways, distributed tracing) and inter-service communication. Deep proficiency in Spring Boot is required, demonstrating your ability to leverage its extensive ecosystem (e.g., Spring Cloud, Spring Data, Spring Security) for rapid application development and deployment.
• Hands-on OpenShift/Kubernetes Expertise for Programmatic Infrastructure: You must have extensive hands-on experience with OpenShift/Kubernetes. This includes deep understanding and practical application of core Kubernetes concepts such as Pods, Deployments, Services, Ingress, Namespaces, ReplicaSets, and ConfigMaps. Crucially, you should also have experience building complex infrastructure programmatically through automation and scripting. This implies familiarity with Kubernetes APIs, custom resource definitions (CRDs), operators, and using scripting or code to manage and provision Kubernetes/OpenShift resources effectively, emphasizing an Infrastructure as Code (IaC) approach.
• Experience Migrating Legacy Services to OpenShift: You are required to have practical experience migrating existing SOAP and REST Services to OpenShift. This demonstrates your ability to handle legacy application modernization, identify and resolve migration challenges (e.g., re-platforming, re-architecting, dependency management, data migration strategies), and successfully transition applications to a containerized, cloud-native environment while maintaining functionality and performance.
• Strong Communication and Adaptability in Fast-Paced Environments: You must possess strong written and verbal communication skills. This is vital for participating in technical discussions, conducting code reviews, documenting designs, collaborating with cross-functional teams (including product owners, QA, and security architects), and explaining complex technical concepts clearly. Furthermore, the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment is essential, requiring adaptability, resilience, and the capacity to manage multiple priorities effectively under tight deadlines.

What’s In It For You: Impact, Growth, and a Flexible Work Model

This Senior Java/OpenShift Developer contract in Chicago, IL, offers a compelling environment for professional growth and significant impact within a leading cybersecurity technology organization.

• Opportunity to Work in a Dynamic and Innovative Environment: You’ll have the invaluable opportunity to work in a dynamic and innovative environment that is at the cutting edge of cybersecurity technology. This ensures continuous learning and provides exciting challenges that will keep your skills sharp and relevant in the evolving threat landscape.
• Engagement in Meaningful Projects that Enhance Cyber Security: Your role will involve direct engagement in meaningful projects that significantly enhance cybersecurity. You will be building software solutions that protect sensitive data, prevent cyberattacks, and ensure the integrity of global information security systems, providing a profound sense of purpose and real-world impact.
• Collaboration with a Talented Team of Professionals: You’ll have the privilege of collaborating with a talented team of professionals, including cybersecurity experts, architects, and other senior developers. This fosters an atmosphere of open communication, knowledge sharing, and mutual support, allowing you to learn from diverse perspectives and contribute your unique insights.
• Potential for Contract Extension Based on Performance: This contract offers a clear potential for extension based on performance and business needs. This provides an opportunity for longer-term engagement and career stability within the organization, rewarding your contributions and expertise in a highly valued domain.
• Hybrid Work Model with Flexibility: You will benefit from a hybrid work model, which offers flexibility in balancing onsite collaboration in the Chicago office with remote work. This arrangement provides an excellent work-life balance while ensuring effective team interaction and project delivery.

Upon successful completion of a predefined waiting period, consultants engaged in this role become eligible for a comprehensive suite of benefits designed to support their well-being and financial security. These include:

• Medical and Prescription Drug Plans: Comprehensive healthcare coverage for medical services and necessary prescription medications.
• Dental Plan: Benefits covering routine dental care and essential treatments.
• Vision Plan: Coverage for eye examinations, prescription glasses, and contact lenses.
• Health Savings Account (HSA): A tax-advantaged savings account to help pay for qualified medical expenses.
• Health Flexible Spending Account (HFSA): Allows pre-tax contributions for eligible healthcare costs.
• Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (DCFSA): Provides tax advantages for dependent care expenses.
• Supplemental Life Insurance: Options for additional life insurance coverage for enhanced financial protection.
• Short Term and Long Term Disability Insurance: Income replacement benefits during periods of incapacitation due to illness or injury.
• Business Travel Insurance: Coverage for unforeseen events during authorized business travel.
• 401(k), Plus Match: An opportunity to save for retirement with the added benefit of employer matching contributions.
• Weekly Pay: Consistent and regular compensation provided on a weekly basis, ensuring stable financial flow throughout your contract.

If this Senior Java/OpenShift Developer role in Chicago, IL, aligns with your extensive Java development experience, expertise in containerization, and passion for cybersecurity technology, we encourage you to learn more about this exciting hybrid contract opportunity. This is a chance to build cutting-edge secure applications and contribute to global information security.

To take the next step in your career and potentially lead impactful software development initiatives, click “Apply Now.” A dedicated recruiter will be in touch with you promptly to discuss this outstanding opportunity in greater detail, answer any questions you may have, and guide you through the application process. We look forward to connecting with you and exploring how your expertise can benefit our team!