Java Tech Lead - Appfire

At Appfire, we believe that great work happens when people get to choose how they work. With over 20 years of experience creating software that empowers teams to collaborate seamlessly, we are a team of 800+ employees working remotely across 28 countries. Our flagship products include JXL, Comala Document Management, 7Pace Time Tracker, Jira Misc Workflow Extensions, and BigPicture.

About the Role

Appfire is seeking a Tech Lead - Fullstack Engineer to join the BigPicture team and evolve a modern, cloud-based SaaS platform. You will lead the design of new functionality, optimize existing services, and support systems used by thousands of tenants. This role requires profound backend expertise in Java, Spring, and AWS/Cloud technologies, along with the willingness and capability to manage the frontend layer (TypeScript, Angular, or React) to deliver end-to-end solutions.

You will join a mature engineering team focused on BigPicture, with upcoming AI-driven initiatives such as AI chatbot capabilities, data quality improvements, and dynamic reporting. As a Tech Lead, you will also drive the adoption of modern AI-assisted development practices to boost team productivity. This role reports to the Engineering Manager and involves cross-functional collaboration with product, UX, and DevOps.

You can choose to work remotely from anywhere in Bulgaria.

What You'll Do

• Technical Leadership: Lead technical discussions, make architectural decisions, and guide a mature engineering team through AI-driven product initiatives.
• Core Backend Development: Design, implement, and optimize complex, scalable backend functionalities using Java, Spring, and AWS.
• Frontend Feature Delivery: Take ownership of the frontend layer using TypeScript and Angular or React for fullstack product delivery.
• AI Initiatives Execution: Lead the technical implementation of upcoming AI features, focusing on AI chatbot capabilities, data quality improvements, and dynamic reporting.
• AI-Assisted Development: Actively use and promote modern AI developer tools (e.g., Cursor, Claude) to maximize efficiency and modernize engineering workflows.
• Quality Assurance: Ensure high code quality through rigorous testing (unit, integration, e2e), conduct peer code reviews, and solve performance challenges.
• Collaboration: Partner closely with Product Owners, UX/UI designers, and other engineering teams.

Technical Highlights

• Contribute to a complex, well-designed application (BigPicture) with over 100 modules and a fully-fledged Domain-Driven Design.
• Practice craftsmanship in good design (clean code, SOLID, Inversion of Control) and various architectures (hexagonal, event-driven, pipes&filters, modular monoliths, microservices).
• Dive deep into a heavy backend stack built on Java and Spring, utilizing AWS to scale an advanced cloud (SaaS) architecture serving thousands of tenants.
• Work across the full stack by connecting robust backend services with modern frontend components using TypeScript, Angular, or React.
• Build cutting-edge AI features, including AI chatbots, automated data quality systems, and dynamic reporting tools.
• Supercharge your workflow using state-of-the-art AI tools like Cursor, GitHub Copilot, and modern LLMs for code generation, refactoring, and architectural brainstorming.
• Thoroughly test what you build with unit, integration, and e2e tests (Spock, JUnit, Mockito, AssertJ, REST Assured, WireMock, Testcontainers, Cypress).
• Benefit from an extensive CI process that automatically runs various tests on your commit.

What You'll Need

• Technical Leadership: Proven experience as a Tech Lead, driving technical direction, making architectural choices, and mentoring senior/mid-level engineers.
• Strong Java & Spring Foundation: Deep, practical knowledge of Java, Spring, Hibernate, and SQL.
• Cloud & AWS Expertise: Strong understanding of SaaS architecture and extensive experience building/scaling applications within cloud environments, specifically AWS.
• Frontend Capability: Good hands-on skills in TypeScript and modern frameworks (Angular or React) combined with a genuine willingness to develop fullstack features.
• AI & Modern Tooling: High comfort level with AI technologies, proficiency with AI-assisted development practices (specifically Cursor, Copilot), and an interest or background in implementing AI features (e.g., LLM integration, data indexing).
• Clean Code & Patterns: A good understanding of SOLID principles and common design patterns.
• Testing & Tools: Proficiency in JUnit/Spock, Git, Maven, and Docker.
• Production-Ready Mindset: Experience in evolving and scaling established systems and a focus on long-term code maintainability.
• Performance Awareness: Ability to use profiling tools and a focus on writing efficient code.

Beyond the Resume

• You are dedicated to elevating client and co-worker experiences, knowing that exceptional work centers on serving others.
• You adapt swiftly to new business demands, understanding that change fuels collective and individual growth.
• You excel in communication, effectively connecting in remote/hybrid environments using tools like Slack, Zoom, and G Suite and through occasional in-person events.
• You have exceptional coaching, mentoring, and people development skills.

What We Offer

• Equity: Every Appfire team member is eligible for company equity, fostering a true sense of ownership and connection to our growth.
• Paid Time Off: 25 paid days off regardless of tenure, increasing to 30 days after 5 years of employment.
• Training and Personal Development: Grow with Appfire University — our custom, on-demand learning platform designed to support your continuous development.
• Health Insurance: Private health insurance through UNIQA, fully paid by the company.
• Multisport Card: The card is fully covered by Appfire.
• Transport Card: Sofia City Transport Card, fully paid by Appfire, providing access to all modes of public transportation within the city.
• Food Vouchers: Pre-paid Pluxee lunch card with a monthly budget of 102,26 EURO.
• Flexibility: The role is fully remote within Bulgaria, with the option to work from our Sofia office.