Azul == Java. As the only company focused 100% on Java, Azul is building the Java platform for the modern cloud enterprise. We are reimagining how customers use Java, bringing them the tools and insight they need to deliver faster, more performant, more dependable, and less expensive Java services. It requires experts in many areas — hardcore experts in Java VM internals, application developers with deep knowledge of Java, backend and frontend developers, performance engineers, etc. Come join one of the most influential members of the Java and OpenJDK community and help influence the future of Java.
About the ProductAzul Optimizer Hub (OptHub) is a set of services external to the JVM within Azul Platform Prime that run in your cloud or on-premises environment. It consists of two major functions:
Cloud Native Compiler separates the heavy lifting of compiling bytecode to optimized machine code from the actual running of Java applications.
ReadyNow Orchestrator ensures consistent responsiveness and performance even as instances are brought up and down, and during critical times like a retail rush, start of the gaming day, or market open.
As a Senior Software Engineer on the Optimizer Hub team, you will design and build the server-side services that sit at the heart of our JVM performance platform. You will work closely with product managers, performance engineers, and JVM experts to deliver high-quality, scalable backend components.
Design, develop, and maintain high-performance Java services including protocols, APIs, data storage, and real-time optimization engines.
Build and evolve server-side OptHub components that communicate with the JVM at scale across cloud and on-premises environments.
Debug complex distributed systems issues with limited diagnostic data and under performance constraints.
Design and implement observability, profiling, and diagnostic tooling to support both internal development and customer-facing deployments.
Drive performance analysis and improvement: create benchmarks, interpret profiler output, and act on findings.
Participate in design discussions and code reviews, raising the bar for the whole team.
Key Requirements
5+ years of strong professional Java development experience, with a focus on backend and server-side systems.
Deep understanding of JVM internals: memory management, garbage collection, JIT compilation, and threading.
Experience building and operating distributed systems and microservices in production.
Proficiency with concurrency, low-latency design, and performance optimization techniques in Java.
Experience with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, or GCP) and container orchestration (Kubernetes).
Ability to design clean APIs and protocols; comfort working close to the metal when needed.
Strong debugging skills — you can track down hard-to-reproduce production issues with limited data.
Nice to Have
Familiarity with JVM-adjacent technologies: JVM agents, JVMTI, bytecode manipulation (ASM, Javassist), or OpenJDK internals.
Background in performance engineering, profilers (async-profiler, JFR, YourKit), or runtime observability.
Experience with gRPC, Protocol Buffers, WebSockets or high-throughput messaging systems.
Experience with process metrics, system observability and CI/CD pipelines.
Prior work in a Java platform, middleware, or infrastructure product company.
We Offer
Referral Program — help us grow with great people.
Premium IT equipment — MacBook Pro or hardware of your choice.
5 weeks of holidays + 5 sick days.
Flexible working hours; full remote possible.
Prague city center offices.
Work alongside top experts worldwide contributing to the Java ecosystem.
Skills Required
- 5+ years of professional Java development experience focused on backend and server-side systems
- Deep understanding of JVM internals, including memory management, garbage collection, JIT compilation, and threading
- Experience building and operating distributed systems and microservices in production
- Proficiency with concurrency, low-latency design, and Java performance optimization
- Experience with AWS, Azure, or GCP
- Experience with Kubernetes or container orchestration
- Ability to design clean APIs and protocols and work close to the metal
- Strong debugging skills for difficult production issues with limited diagnostic data
- Familiarity with JVM agents, JVMTI, bytecode manipulation, or OpenJDK internals
- Background in performance engineering, profilers, or runtime observability
- Experience with gRPC, Protocol Buffers, WebSockets, or high-throughput messaging systems
- Experience with process metrics, system observability, and CI/CD pipelines
- Prior experience at a Java platform, middleware, or infrastructure product company
What We Do
Azul is the only company 100% focused on Java, delivering the most trusted Java platform to the modern cloud enterprise. We provide the world’s best commercial support for OpenJDK to our customers by prioritizing their success, maintaining our unwavering commitment to innovation and excellence, and advancing Java through community leadership. Millions of Java developers, hundreds of millions of devices, and the world’s most highly regarded businesses - including 27% of the Fortune 100 - trust Azul to power their applications with exceptional capabilities, performance, security, value, and success. https://www.azul.com Twitter: @azulsystems Trademarked - AZUL, Zulu, Azul Zulu, Azul Zulu Prime, Azul Platform Prime, Azul Platform Core, Azul Intelligence Cloud, Azul Analytics Suite, Azul Optimizer Suite are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Azul Systems, registered in the U.S. and elsewhere. All other trademarks belong to their respective owners.
