Freelance Java Developer C2C Jobs in Ashburn, VA

Backend Java Developer Vienna, VA – hybrid (3 days a week onsite) Pay Rate: Open to Both C2C and W2 options Position Type: Multiyear Contract We're seeking a curious, technically minded professional who loves solving complex problems, understands how great software is built, and isn't afraid to dive into source code when needed. This isn't a traditional software engineering role; it's an opportunity to influence the technical direction of our Digital Banking platform by helping engineering teams build solutions that are scalable, secure, resilient, and built to last. You'll work alongside Engineering, Architecture, Security, and Products teams to identify technical opportunities, reduce technical debt, and ensure we're making sound technical decisions today that won't become tomorrow's problems. If you enjoy asking "Why?", "Is there a better way?", and "Will this scale?", you'll fit right in. What You'll Be Doing: • Dive into application code and architecture to understand how things work and identify opportunities for improvement. • Perform technical analysis across applications, APIs, integrations, and services to solve complex engineering challenges. • Influence technical decisions that improve scalability, resiliency, maintainability, and long-term sustainability. • Partner with engineering teams to review solution designs and implementation approaches. • Identify technical debt and help prioritize improvements that create lasting value. • Champion secure coding practices and help ensure applications are designed with security from the start. • Evaluate technologies, frameworks, and architectural patterns to support modernization initiatives. • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to establish engineering standards, reusable patterns, and technical best practices. • Support cloud adoption, platform modernization, and application lifecycle improvements. • Create technical documentation, design guidance, playbooks, and knowledge artifacts that help teams move faster. • Think beyond today's requirements and help shape tomorrow's technical landscape. Technical Skills: • Strong understanding of software engineering principles and modern application architecture. • Ability to read, understand, and analyze source code (Java experience is highly preferred). • Experience working with APIs, microservices, distributed systems, and cloud-native applications. • Deep understanding of what makes solutions scalable, resilient, maintainable, and sustainable. • Knowledge of modern software delivery practices including CI/CD and DevOps. • Experience identifying technical risks before they become production issues. Security Mindset Security isn't someone else's job. We're looking for someone who understands and advocates for secure software development by applying best practices such as: • Secure coding principles • PenTest Remediation • API and application security • Authentication and authorization • Encryption and secrets management • Vulnerability remediation • Secure Software Development Lifecycle (SSDLC) • Security-by-design and threat modeling What Will Make You Successful: You're someone who: • Loves solving technical puzzles. • Can connect the dots across complex systems. • Enjoys learning new technologies. • Balances tactical problem solving with strategic thinking. • Communicates technical concepts clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences. • Builds strong relationships and enjoys collaborating across teams. • Takes ownership, leads through influence, and continuously looks for ways to improve how we build software. Bonus Points: • Experience within a banking or financial services organization. • Familiarity with Digital Banking platforms. • Experience with Azure, cloud platforms, event-driven architecture, or enterprise integrations. • Knowledge of application modernization, technical debt management, or architecture governance. Why You'll Love Working Here: • We're passionate about building Digital Banking solutions—but we're equally passionate about building a great team. • You'll have the opportunity to influence technical strategy, solve meaningful engineering challenges, and work alongside talented people who enjoy learning from one another. • We believe innovation comes from curiosity, collaboration, and continuous improvement. We encourage new ideas, value diverse perspectives, and celebrate people who aren't afraid to ask, "What if we did it better?" • Most importantly, we believe that having fun while adding value is key. We work hard, challenge each other, celebrate successes, and genuinely enjoy solving difficult problems together.