Senior Lead Software Engineer - Java

Location: Houston, TX, United States

Job Family: Software Engineering

About the Role

At JPMorgan Chase, we are at the forefront of transforming the financial services industry through innovative technology solutions. As a Senior Lead Software Engineer - Java in our Houston office, you will play a pivotal role in driving significant business impact by tackling diverse challenges across multiple technologies and applications. This position is within our Corporate & Investment Bank division, where you'll contribute to building robust platforms that power global trading, risk management, and regulatory reporting. You'll lead a team of engineers in developing mission-critical Java applications that handle billions in transactions daily, ensuring reliability, security, and compliance with stringent financial regulations like Dodd-Frank and Basel III. Your work will directly influence the firm's ability to deliver seamless experiences for clients in capital markets and investment banking. In this leadership role, you will architect scalable solutions using modern Java frameworks and cloud technologies, collaborating closely with business stakeholders to align technical deliverables with strategic objectives. Expect to mentor talent, foster a culture of innovation, and navigate the complexities of a highly regulated environment. From optimizing low-latency trading systems to integrating AI-driven analytics for fraud detection, your contributions will span the full software development lifecycle, leveraging agile practices to iterate rapidly in a dynamic market. This is an opportunity to grow your career at one of the world's largest financial institutions, where your expertise in Java and financial domain knowledge will drive tangible results. JPMorgan Chase offers a collaborative and inclusive culture that values diverse perspectives and continuous learning. Based in Houston, TX, you'll join a vibrant tech community within the firm, with access to cutting-edge tools and resources. If you are passionate about engineering excellence in finance and ready to lead transformative projects, this role provides the platform to make a lasting impact on our global operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and deployment of Java-based applications that support JP Morgan Chase's trading, risk, and compliance platforms
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including traders, quants, and compliance officers to translate business requirements into scalable technical solutions
• Mentor junior engineers and conduct code reviews to ensure high-quality, secure, and performant code adhering to financial industry standards
• Drive innovation by integrating emerging technologies like microservices and containerization to optimize legacy financial systems
• Identify and mitigate technical risks in high-stakes environments, ensuring 24/7 availability for global trading operations
• Participate in agile ceremonies, including sprint planning and retrospectives, to deliver iterative improvements to core banking applications
• Analyze and resolve complex production issues in real-time, minimizing impact on business operations
• Contribute to the firm's technology roadmap by evaluating new tools and frameworks for Java ecosystem enhancements
• Ensure all developments comply with JP Morgan's data privacy and cybersecurity policies

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field; advanced degree preferred
• 8+ years of professional software development experience with a focus on Java technologies
• Proven track record in leading engineering teams and delivering complex projects in a financial services environment
• Strong understanding of financial systems, risk management, and regulatory compliance (e.g., SEC, FINRA)
• Experience with agile methodologies and CI/CD pipelines in large-scale enterprise settings
• Ability to obtain necessary security clearances for handling sensitive financial data

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Computer Science or related field
• Experience in developing applications for capital markets or investment banking at a major financial institution
• Familiarity with cloud platforms like AWS or Azure in a regulated industry
• Certifications such as Oracle Certified Java Programmer or AWS Certified Developer

Required Skills

• Expertise in Java 8+ and Spring Boot framework
• Proficiency in RESTful APIs, microservices architecture, and Docker/Kubernetes
• Strong knowledge of SQL databases (e.g., Oracle, PostgreSQL) and NoSQL solutions
• Experience with messaging systems like Kafka or RabbitMQ for real-time financial data processing
• Familiarity with financial protocols such as FIX and SWIFT
• Solid understanding of security best practices including OAuth, encryption, and vulnerability scanning
• Agile and DevOps tools like Jenkins, Git, and JIRA
• Problem-solving and analytical skills for debugging complex systems
• Leadership and communication skills for team collaboration
• Knowledge of cloud-native development on AWS
• Experience with unit testing frameworks like JUnit and Mockito
• Understanding of performance tuning and scalability in high-volume trading environments
• Adaptability to fast-paced, regulated financial services landscape

Benefits

• Competitive base salary and performance-based annual bonuses
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans
• 401(k) retirement savings plan with generous company matching
• Paid time off including vacation, sick days, and parental leave
• Professional development opportunities through JPMorgan Chase's internal training programs and tuition reimbursement
• Employee stock purchase plan and financial wellness resources
• On-site fitness centers and wellness programs at Houston facilities
• Flexible work arrangements including hybrid options post-pandemic

JP Morgan Chase is an equal opportunity employer.