Sr. Developer - Java Programs **Overall Job Summary** This position is responsible for providing leadership and deep technical expertise in API-first and microservice development for specific business environments. The role emphasizes defining technical direction and ensuring the delivery of scalable, robust, and technically sound solutions. The candidate will be responsible for driving API-first strategies across teams, encompassing all business, architecture, and technology constraints, while coordinating teams in a matrixed organization to achieve development goals. **Essential Duties and Responsibilities** **API-First Strategy and Development (Min 50%):** - Lead the design, development, and prototyping of APIs and microservices, ensuring adherence to API-first principles for customer-facing applications across mobile apps and websites. - Establish API lifecycle management best practices, including API design-first processes, discovery, inventory management, versioning, and governance. - Promote standardization, reusability, and interoperability of APIs across the enterprise ecosystem. - Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define API contract designs (e.g., OpenAPI/Swagger) and implement them to meet business needs. - Integrate API-first strategies with DevOps pipelines, CI/CD workflows, and containerized platforms. - Explore and utilize GraphQL or other API paradigms to enhance flexibility and reduce data over-fetching. **Leadership and Collaboration (Min 20%):** - Partner with product teams to ideate, design, and prototype new features, ensuring API-first methodologies are integrated into the development process. - Supervise, mentor, and motivate team members to develop their technical skills in API-first and microservices design and implementation. - Encourage a culture of continuous learning, technical excellence, and innovation by staying informed on emerging API and platform trends. - Act as a subject matter expert in API-first strategy, guiding teams on best practices, standards, and governance. **Quality, Testing, and Documentation (Min 20%):** - Ensure robust API testing strategies are in place, leveraging unit, integration, and performance testing frameworks (e.g., JUnit, Postman, JMeter). - Write and maintain detailed API documentation, including design specifications, usage guidelines, and governance processes. - Monitor API performance and reliability, implementing improvements based on analytics and feedback. **Technical Expertise and Innovation (Min 10%):** - Drive continuous improvement initiatives for APIs, tools, and processes, emphasizing alignment with an API-first strategy. - Leverage asynchronous messaging systems (e.g., Kafka, SNS, SQS) to build event-driven architectures and resilient microservices. - Apply container orchestration technologies like Kubernetes and cloud platforms like Azure to enhance scalability and reliability. **Required Qualifications** **Experience:** - 5–7 years of experience developing RESTful APIs and microservices using Java and Spring Boot, with a focus on API-first principles. - Demonstrated experience with API management platforms (e.g., Azure API Management, Apigee) and asynchronous messaging systems. - Retail industry experience preferred. **Education:** Bachelor’s degree in computer science or related field is preferred. Any suitable combination of education and experience will be considered. **Professional Certifications:** Programmer certification in Java is preferred. **High Demand IT Specialized Skills:** - Platform knowledge (Linux, UNIX, Windows). - Proficiency in API design-first tools (e.g., Swagger, Postman, Stoplight) and API management systems. - Familiarity with container platforms (e.g., Docker, Kubernetes) and cloud-based environments (Azure preferred). - Experience in building and maintaining event-driven architectures using Kafka or similar tools. - Knowledge of CI/CD processes and tools, with a focus on API deployment pipelines. **Preferred knowledge, skills or abilities** • Strong understanding of API-first principles, service-oriented architecture (SOA), and domain-driven design (DDD). • Commitment to staying updated on API technologies, trends, and frameworks to maintain competitive advantage. • Advanced skills in API security, including OAuth, JWT, and API gateway configuration. • Ability to influence organizational processes and advocate for API-first best practices. • Experience with Azure or other cloud platforms, and container orchestration technologies such as Kubernetes. • Strong analytical and communication skills and the ability to handle multiple tasks at any given time. • Superior collaboration and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively in a distributed team. • Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with a focus on troubleshooting and performance optimization. • Superior knowledge of multiple, diverse technical configurations, technologies, and processing environments. • Advanced level knowledge of the following technology architecture domains: application, collaboration, data integration, networks, platform, security and systems management, site reliability engineering. • Advanced ability to quickly comprehend the functions and capabilities of new technologies. • Advanced ability to comprehend business strategies to ensure technical directions are supportive and consistent within the company. • Strong ability to estimate the financial impact of technical architecture alternatives. • Strong knowledge of business process re-engineering principles and processes. • Strong ability to conduct analysis sessions and contribute to "Closure Documents." **Working Conditions** + Normal office working conditions **Physical Requirements** + Sitting + Standing (not walking) + Walking + Lifting up to 20 pounds **Disclaimer** _This job description represents an overview of the responsibilities for the above referenced position. It is not intended to represent a comprehensive list of responsibilities. A team member should perform all duties as assigned by his/ her supervisor._ **Company Info** **ALREADY A TEAM MEMBER?** You must apply or refer a friend through our internal portal Click here (https://performancemanager4.successfactors.com/sf/home?company=tractorsup) **CONNECTION** Our Mission and Values are more than just words on the wall - they’re the one constant in an ever-changing environment and the bedrock on which we build our culture. They're the core of who we are and the foundation of every decision we make. It’s not just what we do that sets us apart, but how we do it. Learn More **EMPOWERMENT** We believe in managing your time for business and personal success, which is why we empower our Team Members to lead balanced lives through our benefits total rewards offerings. fot full-time and eligible part-time TSC and Petsense Team Members. We care about what you care about! Learn More **OPPORTUNITY** A lot of care goes into providing legendary service at Tractor Supply Company, which is why our Team Members are our top priority. Want a career with a clear path for growth? Your Opportunity is Out Here at Tractor Supply and Petsense. Learn More Join Our Talent Community **Nearest Major Market:** Nashville