Software Engineer (Java 17 development)

Ardent Principles, Inc.•Arlington, VA

28d•$130,000 - $260,000•Onsite

About The Position

Ardent Principles is seeking a senior-level Software Engineer with expert Core Java proficiency and extensive experience with enterprise web, API, PKI, and Linux technologies. The role requires mastery of Java 17 or later, Eclipse IDE, JVM/JRE/JDK internals, JSP, AJAX, jQuery, and front-end development, along with experience deploying and tuning applications on Apache Tomcat 11 or later and configuring Tomcat connectors and HTTPD. The position is full-time and onsite in Dulles, Virginia, during core hours. An active TS/SCI with Full Scope Polygraph is required. The engineer will develop and support secure, scalable Java applications and REST APIs; work with LDAP authentication and authorization, SSH-based tools, PKI and cryptography, Linux systems, and MariaDB/MySQL databases; and build web interfaces using JSP and related front-end technologies. The role also involves servlet development, application deployment, database access and connection pooling without a framework, certificate and key management, and collaboration with technical and non-technical stakeholders. Ardent Principles provides services in data science, data engineering, software engineering, AI solutions, cybersecurity, staff augmentation, and IT program management. The company describes its workplace as committed to excellence, integrity, and mission-focused impact, and offers a competitive salary range and a comprehensive benefits package.

Requirements

Active TS/SCI with Full Scope Polygraph.
Senior-level experience and expert knowledge of Core Java, Java 17 or later, Eclipse IDE v2026, JVM, JRE, and JDK concepts.
Knowledge of JavaScript, AJAX, jQuery, JSP, HTML5, CSS, JSON/XML, HTTP/HTTPS, and REST APIs.
Experience with Apache Tomcat 11 or later, Tomcat connectors, and HTTPD (Apache HTTP Server).
Extensive experience with LDAP authentication and authorization and custom LDAP-based solutions.
Strong experience with SSH, PuTTY, and custom SSH-based tools and applications on Linux.
Linux system administration and command-line skills.
Experience developing Java REST APIs and securing API requests with application certificates.
Experience with JDBC, the DAO pattern, MariaDB/MySQL, custom database tools and scripts, and connection pooling without a framework.
Experience writing Jakarta Servlet API code and working with servlet lifecycle, request and response handling, and session management.
Knowledge of Java Base64 APIs and their use and limitations.
Knowledge of Java Cryptography Architecture APIs and encryption algorithms such as AES, RSA, and ECC.
Knowledge of PKI infrastructure, secure data transmission, and custom PKI-based tools and applications.
Knowledge of X.509 certificate parsing, validation, and chaining.
Experience generating, managing, and storing key pairs using OpenSSL and RSA, and troubleshooting PKI-related key and certificate problems.
Strong problem-solving and analytical skills, attention to detail, and excellent communication and collaboration skills.
Ability to analyze user needs, determine technical requirements, and write clean, maintainable, well-documented code.

Nice To Haves

Some experience integrating Python into web applications.
Some experience writing Confluence plugins.
Familiarity with Windows Active Directory Certificate Services (AD CS) for issuing and managing PKI certificates.

Responsibilities

Develop with Core Java 17 or later, without relying on Spring Boot.
Develop Java REST APIs, including secure API requests using application certificates, and support scalability for user activity monitoring.
Develop front-end web interfaces using JSP, AJAX, jQuery, JavaScript, HTML, and CSS.
Write Jakarta Servlet API code, including servlet lifecycle, request and response handling, and session management.
Implement LDAP authentication and authorization and develop custom LDAP-based solutions.
Develop and use SSH-based tools and applications on Linux, including work with SSH and PuTTY.
Administer Linux systems and use command-line tools.
Use JDBC and the DAO pattern to configure MariaDB/MySQL access, and develop custom database tools and scripts, including connection pooling without a framework.
Deploy applications on Apache Tomcat, configure Tomcat connectors, and manage HTTPD (Apache HTTP Server).
Use Java Base64 APIs and Java Cryptography Architecture APIs, and work with encryption algorithms such as AES, RSA, and ECC.
Use the Quartz Job Scheduling Library with Core Java development.
Use Git/GitHub for software version control and code repositories.
Develop and use custom PKI-based tools and applications, and support secure data transmission.
Handle X.509 certificates, including parsing, validation, and certificate chaining.
Generate, manage, and store key pairs using OpenSSL and RSA, and troubleshoot PKI issues involving keys and certificates.
Analyze user needs to determine technical requirements.
Write clean, maintainable, well-documented code.
Offer ideas for new products and improvements to existing interfaces, and keep apprised of technology changes.
Communicate and collaborate with technical and non-technical stakeholders.