Jobs Java

We are looking for a Senior Java Engineer to join the Access & Authorization platform full-time. This is protocol-level, performance-critical systems work — you will be building the mandatory enforcement sidecar for the ABAC platform: a per-pod, request-path component that performs authorization checks at the level of tenant, endpoint, row, and field. This is not CRUD or framework work — we are looking for a systems engineer, not a typical enterprise Java developer.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Build and own the ABAC enforcement sidecar — a performance-critical component sitting in the request path of all services
• Implement four-layer authorization checks: tenant isolation, endpoint access, row-level filtering, and field-masking
• Stream and rewrite JSON response bodies at the token level with near-zero allocation overhead
• Maintain a local decision cache and integrate with a central Decision API
• Own the HTTP layer end-to-end — including conformance, edge cases, and adversarial scenarios
• Ensure fail-closed semantics — the component must deny by default when the policy engine is unavailable
• Write adversarial tests: malformed requests, mid-stream drops, slow clients, header edge cases

What we expect from you:

• Java 21+ without a framework — vanilla Java only; Spring or DI dependency is a disqualifier for this role
• GraalVM native image shipped to production — not experimented with; understands closed-world constraints, reflection config, build-time vs run-time init
• HTTP protocol internals — can implement and reason at spec level: chunked transfer, keep-alive, streaming without buffering full bodies, backpressure, connection handling
• Jackson streaming API (JsonParser/JsonGenerator) — token-level processing, not databind; able to apply field-masks with flat allocation
• Performance engineering with real numbers — has owned a latency SLA (p99, percentiles, RPS); measures before tuning using JMH, async-profiler, allocation profiling
• Caching and invalidation reasoning — understands the decision-cache triangle: hit latency vs revocation latency vs TTL, negative caching, stampede protection
• AuthZ fundamentals and fail-closed semantics — understands PDP/PEP separation, deny-overrides, tenant isolation; knows the sidecar applies decisions, not computes policy
• Minimal-dependency mindset — solves with the JDK first; can articulate the real cost of adding a library in a native-image context

Will be a plus:

• Netty — used at the channel/pipeline level
• Service mesh / sidecar patterns — Envoy, ext_authz, Istio, Dapr
• Authorization engines — OPA/Rego, Cedar, Zanzibar-style systems, Oso
• GCP stack — Pub/Sub, Memorystore/Redis, BigQuery
• Kubernetes — sidecar injection, resource limits, probes, startup ordering
• gRPC / protobuf over HTTP
• Experience in regulated-data domains — FERPA, COPPA, HIPAA, or similar
• jlink / AppCDS / CRaC — JVM-fallback literacy if native image is constrained

Soft skills / Mindset:

• Systems thinker — reads RFCs, owns the protocol layer, does not treat HTTP as “what the framework handles”
• Measurement discipline — quotes numbers, not vibes; profiles before tuning
• Dependency-conscious — resists the reflex to add a library; accounts for native-image surface and supply-chain cost
• Fail-closed by instinct — treats fail-open as a security consequence, not an availability trade-off
• Upper-Intermediate+ English level

What We Offer:

• Work at a Top-employer company (according to DOU 2025)
• A strong culture built on empathy, trust, openness, and real care for employees
• Competitive compensation with regular reviews
• Medical insurance
• Team events and regular team-building activities
• Flexible hybrid work model with an office in central Kyiv or fully remote

Phoenix Games is an innovative technology company building next-generation iGaming and Web3 products for a global audience. We create scalable gaming platforms powered by AI, blockchain, cloud technologies, and modern backend architectures.

We're expanding our engineering team and are looking for Middle and Senior Java Developers who are passionate about building high-performance backend systems and solving complex technical challenges in a fast-growing product environment.

What You'll Do

• Develop and maintain scalable backend services using Java and Spring Boot.
• Design and implement RESTful APIs and microservices.
• Build reliable, secure, and high-performance applications.
• Collaborate with Front-end Developers, QA Engineers, Product Managers, and DevOps teams.
• Optimize application performance and database queries.
• Participate in architecture discussions and technical planning.
• Write clean, maintainable, and well-tested code.
• Participate in code reviews and continuously improve engineering practices.
• Contribute to CI/CD processes and cloud-based deployments.

Tech Stack

• Java 17/21
• Spring Boot
• Spring Cloud
• Hibernate / JPA
• PostgreSQL / MySQL
• Redis
• Kafka / RabbitMQ
• Docker
• Kubernetes
• AWS
• Git
• GitHub Actions
• REST APIs
• Microservices

Requirements

Middle

• 3+ years of commercial Java development experience.
• Strong knowledge of Java and Spring Boot.
• Experience building REST APIs.
• Experience with SQL databases (PostgreSQL or MySQL).
• Understanding of OOP, design patterns, and clean code principles.
• Experience with Git.
• Upper-Intermediate English or higher.

Senior

• 5+ years of commercial Java development experience.
• Strong experience with Spring Boot and microservices architecture.
• Experience designing scalable and high-load backend systems.
• Strong knowledge of PostgreSQL or MySQL.
• Experience with Docker and Kubernetes.
• Experience with cloud platforms (AWS preferred).
• Experience mentoring developers and participating in architectural decisions.
• Strong understanding of performance optimization and distributed systems.
• Upper-Intermediate English or higher.

Nice to Have

• Knowledge of Kafka, RabbitMQ, or event-driven architecture.
• Experience with Redis and caching strategies.
• Familiarity with Web3 or blockchain technologies.
• Experience with CI/CD pipelines.
• Understanding of security best practices for backend systems.

What We Offer

• Fully remote work from anywhere in Europe.
• Long-term B2B cooperation.
• Competitive salary paid in EUR or USD.
• Annual salary reviews.
• Performance-based bonus program.
• Annual company bonus.
• 25 paid vacation days.
• Paid sick leave.
• Flexible working hours.
• Home office budget.
• Laptop or equipment allowance.
• Learning & development budget for courses, certifications, books, and conferences.
• English language lessons.
• Private health insurance.
• Mental health support program.
• Sports and wellness compensation.
• Team-building activities and international company retreats.
• Opportunity to work on cutting-edge AI, Web3, and cloud-based products.
• Career growth in a fast-growing international product company with a strong engineering culture.

Why Join Phoenix Games?

At Phoenix Games, you'll work with modern technologies, contribute to products used by a global audience, and have the opportunity to grow alongside an experienced international engineering team. Whether you're an ambitious Middle Developer looking to take the next step or a Senior Engineer ready to shape technical decisions, you'll find exciting challenges and real ownership here.