Backend Java developer job description

This blog’s backend Java developer job description template can help you attract highly skilled engineers to your organization. We know because, at Gun.io, we’ve helped hundreds of companies do exactly this.

Before we get to the template, the job description should be specific and separate the concerns of a backend developer from other web developers.

The job description should also be concise, providing candidates with a clear understanding of the position. This clarity will help them assess whether they’d fit your company well.

Lastly, the job description should include a list of responsibilities, required skills, and a section to showcase your company’s culture.

Don’t worry if this sounds overwhelming. Here at Gun.io, we know a thing or two about hiring backend Java developers. That’s because we’ve helped hundreds of companies – from Fortune 500s to startups – hire talented engineers by tapping into our network. As a result, we can help you build the perfect backend Java developer job description and hire experts.

Before we dig deeper into the backend Java developer job description template, let’s learn more about backend Java developers.

What does a Java backend developer do?

Backend Java developers are linchpins for functioning websites, software, and IT systems that use Java.

They’re responsible for creating, maintaining, testing, and debugging the entire back end of an application or system. This backend includes the core application logic, databases, APIs, and other behind-the-scenes processes.

To do all this, backend Java developers create the code to improve servers and databases, which, combined with front-end code, create a seamless user experience. Developers also study industry trends, improve processes, and collaborate with others to design better programs.

Now that we know more about these developers, it’s time to look at the backend Java developer job description.

Backend Java developer job description template

This Java backend developer job description will do three things:

It will introduce candidates to your company’s culture and values
It will help candidates understand what the role will entail
It will get candidates excited about the possibility of working for your company!

You’re welcome to copy and edit this template as you see fit.

Okay, so let’s start with a detail that’s easy to overlook: The job title.

Job title

Think of your job title like a newspaper headline. It’s the first thing candidates see before reading your backend Java developer job description, so it must capture their attention. After all, you want to attract candidates and get them to click through.

So how do you do this?

You want to keep the title short, but there’s a line. Make it too short, and you won’t capture a candidate’s attention. For example, a broad title like “Java Developer” won’t stand out on a job board.

Instead, you should thread in qualifiers. Qualifiers can be things like seniority level and the type of Java developer you’re looking for (front-end, back-end, full-stack).

Other technical qualifiers can also help, like required languages or frameworks. So can non-technical qualifiers, such as whether the role is full-time, part-time, or freelance. The role’s location (remote or office-based) is also worth mentioning.

An example of a good job title is “Senior Java Developer – Database Engineer – Back-End (Remote)”. It details the seniority level, type of development work, and location.

Now that you’ve got your job title, it’s time to start crafting your backend Java developer job description.

About the company

You want to make a strong first impression with your job description. One way to do this is by talking about your company in a way that gets candidates excited about what you do. Paint your company in its best light and highlight what makes it a great workplace.

This section can highlight key information about your company’s culture, size, mission, goals, and perks. These include benefits, office hours, or remote working possibilities. Anything that makes your company stand out.

Unlike most companies, we also try to inject humor into our job descriptions when recruiting at Gun.io. We’ll let you judge whether that’s working for us! (See below.)

Here’s one we made earlier:

About Gun.io

Gun.io is a technology company that connects great companies and proven software engineers who are the world’s best-hired guns. Our mission is to create joy through connection, collaboration, and achievement for the world’s professional class.

We believe that the current system for hiring and being hired as a software engineer isn’t working. For hirers, the process is long and time-intensive, typically requiring a developer from their team to pause their other work and manage technical vetting. On the other side, job seekers must wade through recruiter spam, repetitive interviews, code tests, and cryptic job descriptions just to answer the question: is this a job I want and would be good at?

Gun.io’s vetting and matching are designed and run by a team of developers passionate about fixing technical hiring. Each job posted to the Gun.io platform is vetted by a senior developer, and each new job seeker who joins the platform has a 1-1 conversation with a member of the team so we can personally pitch them to clients they’d love.

We believe in excellence, taking risks, and speaking the truth, and we take a talent-first approach to everything we do. Our fully-remote team is highly collaborative and indulgently nerdy. You’ll love working with Gun.io if:

You’re passionate about making talent and opportunity more accessible for all, especially those outside of the Silicon Valley bubble.
You have exceptional follow-through and organizational skills, and value teammates with the same.
You love chasing big ideas, pitching them to stakeholders, and taking the initiative to implement and test them.
You consider yourself to be a linchpin, not a cog.
You’re very nerdy about something. Star Wars, a particular subreddit, Web3, backyard chickens, famous guitar history, anything.
Career growth and financial success are core motivations for you.
You thrive in remote office environments.
You’re looking for a team culture that is curious, respectful, supportive, and at least once a day, hilarious.

About this role

You’re hiring a Java developer (or three), and these devs know what a backend Java job entails. They’ve done it before. But what does a backend Java role mean for you?

You want to get to the point on your Java backend developer job description. State what you’re looking for and what tasks a successful applicant will do when they join your company. One or two sentences should do the trick.

Here’s a sample:

To help drive our mission, our Programming team is looking for a Junior Backend Java developer. This developer will combine design and programming skills to upgrade existing applications and build new ones from scratch.

Java backend developer responsibilities

This section is arguably the most important part of the backend Java developer job description.

You want to be clear about the responsibilities associated with the role, so list them all. Be concise and clarify what you expect from a candidate if they join your company.

Here’s how it might look:

Analyzing data, processes, and code to troubleshoot problems and identify areas for improvement
Collaborating with front-end developers and other team members to establish objectives and design functional, cohesive applications
Developing ideas for new programs, products, or features by monitoring industry developments and trends
Ensuring application designs conform to business goals
Managing Java and Java EE application development
Writing clean, well-designed, and testable code
Conducting software analysis, programming, testing, and debugging
Managing cutting-edge technologies to improve legacy applications and building reusable code and libraries for future use
Implementing security and data protection
Designing and implementing data storage solutions

Java backend developer requirements

Alright, it’s time for the nitty-gritty details: What can your prospective backend Java developer expect to do on the job?

This section lists all the professional qualifications a candidate needs to apply for this role. It also includes mandatory technical skills.

Try not to go over the top here. For example, only include skills or years of experience if it’s a dealbreaker. Also, be realistic. Most candidates don’t have 20+ years of experience, so asking for this will significantly reduce your talent pool.

Here’s a sample.

4-6+ years of experience in back-end development
Proficiency in back-end programming languages such as PHP, Python, Ruby, Java, and .NET
Knowledge of server-side CSS processors like LESS and SASS
Familiarity with front-end languages like JavaScript, jQuery, HTML, and CSS
Experience with database integration, hosting environment management, and scaling
Technical and user experience to troubleshoot problems for clients and within the team
Understanding of Java build tools and experience with Java EE components and Java Web frameworks
Working knowledge of CMS frameworks
Ability to write clean, readable code
Knowledge of popular web application frameworks like Play and Spark
Experience in handling external and embedded databases, creating database schemas, and implementing automated testing platforms.
Knowledge of code versioning tools like Git and building tools like Ant, Maven, and Gradle
Proficient understanding of OWASP security principles and session management
Knowledge of data migration and transformation
Strong problem-solving, project management, time management, and verbal and written communication skills
Ability to work independently or with a group
{{List any additional skills you require}}

Desired skills for backend Java developers

Desired skills is an optional section. You can list any additional skills/requirements that would be desirable for candidates to have.

Here’s a sample:

Experience in designing RESTful APIs, particularly for mobile apps
Leadership experience, including leading a team
Strong organizational and project management skills
Excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail
{{List any professional certifications required for the role}}

Benefits of this role for backend Java developers

It’s time to seal the deal!

In this section of your backend Java developer job description, you can list the additional benefits/perks a candidate will receive by joining your company.

Here’s a sample:

{{Career & growth opportunities}}
{{Attractive salary and 401k matching}}
{{Medical Insurance}}
{{Remote working opportunities}}
{{Incentives and perks, such as the office’s location and flexible vacation allowance}}

Meet available, vetted talent today!

Would you like us to help you hire the perfect backend Java developer (or three) for your company?

Whether you’re looking for some temporary help or your next full time developer, let Gun.io help you find the right person for the job.

Learn more