Ship.Cars is a U.S.-based software development company that delivers а platform disrupting the logistics industry: AI-driven business insights, engaging native mobile apps and single-page web applications, scalable Cloud-native systems streamlining millions of deliveries, and so much more. We don’t shy away from the latest and greatest, and neither should you. The Bulgaria office is the center of the technology behind Ship.Cars building software solutions.
We are currently looking to expand our team with a Java Backend Lead Developer.
Position Summary
As a Java Backend Lead Developer, you will lead a squad of 3–6 backend engineers, driving the delivery of high-quality, scalable backend services while staying hands-on with coding and design. You will own one or more domains/services and their roadmap, run design and code reviews, set engineering standards, and partner with Product to align scope and commitments. You will coach and mentor engineers, guide their career growth, and ensure reliability, performance, and delivery excellence.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities
- Lead a backend engineering squad, ensuring high-quality delivery and professional growth of team members.
- Contribute code daily (approx. 70–80% coding time) while providing technical guidance and reviews.
- Own one or more domains/services, their architecture, and their roadmap.
- Partner with Staff Engineers and Product to ensure scope, delivery commitments, and domain consistency.
- Run design reviews and set engineering best practices across the backend team.
- Drive reliability, including defining SLOs, supporting on-call rotations, and serving as incident commander when needed.
- Collaborate closely with QA, Product, Design, and DevOps to ensure smooth, predictable delivery.
- Actively participate in hiring, onboarding, and performance feedback cycles for engineers in your team.
- Foster a culture of ownership, accountability, and continuous improvement.
Qualifications
- 7–10+ years of professional experience in Java backend development.
- Strong hands-on experience with Spring Boot, Quarkus, and Domain-Driven Design.
- Solid experience with databases – Postgres, Redis, JPA, Elasticsearch, etc.
- Strong experience building and integrating REST APIs (Jersey, third-party integrations).
- Experience securing, updating, and maintaining backend systems at scale.
- Good understanding of DevOps processes and CI/CD pipelines.
- Experience leading delivery and cross-team initiatives.
- Evidence of mentoring, coaching, or people leadership.
- Excellent understanding of OOP, design patterns, and engineering best practices.
- Strong communication, collaboration, and conflict-resolution skills.
- Excellent spoken and written English.
- Ownership mindset and proactive attitude.
We would love to offer you
- A chance to lead a highly skilled backend team working on impactful global products.
- Opportunities to grow both as a technical leader and a people manager.
- Excellent remuneration package to free your mind of everyday worries.
- Additional health insurance package.
- Food vouchers.
- Individual training budget and leadership coaching.
- Seminars, conferences, and team events participation.
- Flexible working hours with 24 days paid time off.
- Great office location.
- Referral Bonus Program.
- Team buildings and corporate parties.
- 50% sponsored sports card.
Are you up for a challenge? Are you ready to lead and grow with us?
Send your CV in English. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview.
Top Skills
What We Do
Ship.Cars is a future-focused auto logistics technology company, providing a suite of software solutions to the car hauling industry. Our user-friendly and innovative products enable partners to grow their businesses by streamlining, automating and organizing auto transportation.
Founded in 2017, Ship.Cars was built to disrupt a stagnant market that had failed to move its processes into the 21st century. By developing a wide range of products, Ship.Cars has modernized the automotive logistics industry. LoadMate and LoadMate Pro cater to the needs of our dealership, rental car companies and other shippers. Meanwhile, our car haulers rely on innovations such as our SmartHaul TMS and SmartHaul APP to book and manage their loads.
“Intelligent Car Shipping. Made Simple.” True to our motto, our data scientists, developers, UX designers and product owners continuously use cutting-edge technologies, such as AI and machine learning, to improve product functionality.
Ship.Cars is thrilled to be a Great Place To Work certified company! This recognition is a testament of our commitment to creating an exceptional work environment.
Our more than 50 employees work together across offices in the United States, Bulgaria and India. We pride ourselves on a global mindset as we help each other achieve both company and personal goals.
