Senior Java Backend Developer (Payroll Platforms)

You will join a stable, long-running HR and payroll technology environment that supports mission-critical employee administration processes.

The systems you work on directly impact thousands of users and must meet high standards for reliability, correctness, and continuity.

You will become part of a team responsible for a broad set of interconnected Java applications. The landscape combines mature, sometimes older platforms with newer cloud-based components. This role is suited to developers who enjoy ownership, deep system understanding, and incremental improvement rather than greenfield experimentation.

Your responsibilities include

• Maintaining and evolving Java-based applications supporting payroll-related processes.
• Taking ownership of existing applications, including systems with limited documentation.
• Analysing existing codebases to understand functionality and dependencies.
• Developing backend services and supporting data processing flows.
• Gradually improving code quality, stability, and maintainability.
• Resolving functional and technical issues in collaboration with the team.
• Working closely with fellow developers and functional stakeholders.
• Sharing knowledge and contributing to reducing technical and domain silos.
• Supporting a team context with multiple applications and heterogeneous technologies.
• Contributing to a stable, long-term evolution of the application landscape.

• You have at least 4 years of professional experience as a Java developer.
• You have strong hands-on experience with Java 8 or higher.
• You are proficient in SQL.
• You have experience with Spring, including Spring Boot, Spring Web Flow, and Spring Data.
• You have hands-on experience with Hibernate and JDBC.
• You have experience working with JSF, jQuery, and PrimeFaces
• You have experience with GitHub.
• You have worked with Docker in application delivery contexts.
• You have experience with RabbitMQ or similar messaging technologies.
• You have experience working in a Microsoft Azure environment.
• You are comfortable working in complex, legacy-heavy systems that require patience and persistence.

• Experience with Maven.
• Experience with JUnit and Mockito.
• Familiarity with Agile / Scrum ways of working.
• Willingness to obtain Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900) certification within 3 months.
• Domain exposure to HR, payroll, or security-sensitive environments.

Location: Bruges (Hybrid)

Onsite presence: Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday

Contract: Freelance or Permanent

Start date: ASAP

Duration: Long-term assignment