Associate, Developer Backend - European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (Sofia)

About this position

The summary below is published by European Bank for Reconstruction and Development on the official vacancy notice. Our own analysis — salary realism, comparable openings, career trajectory, language profile — follows further down the page.

Key responsibilities

According to the vacancy notice, the role centres on the following duties:

• Design, develop, test, and maintain high-quality software solutions
• Write clear, maintainable, and well-documented code
• Develop and maintain RESTful APIs and microservices
• Integrate third-party services and APIs
• Implement data storage solutions (relational and NoSQL databases)
• Perform debugging and troubleshooting
• Conduct code reviews ensuring adherence to coding standards
• Write unit and integration tests using JUnit and Mockito

Are you eligible?

Check these requirements from the notice before investing time in an application:

• Education: Degree level or equivalent qualification in IT, engineering, or scientific discipline (desired)
• Experience: Extensive working experience in Java (Java 17 or later) and Spring Framework; extensive experience developing and optimising RESTful APIs and microservices; extensive experience with containerisation (Docker, Kubernetes) and cloud-native application development; extensive experience writing unit and integration tests using JUnit, Mockito, and TDD; extensive experience implementing CI/CD pipelines…
• Languages: English (fluency…)
• Key skills: Java 17+, Spring Framework (Spring Boot, Spring MVC, Spring Data), RESTful API development, Microservices architecture, Docker, Kubernetes, Cloud-native application development, Relational databases (Azure SQL), ORM frameworks (Hibernate), Messaging systems (ActiveMQ, Azure Service Bus)
• Eligibility: Nationals of EBRD member countries encouraged to apply

Contract and working arrangements

Contract duration: 3 years.

Working arrangements: Hybrid and flexible working arrangements with minimum 3 days per week in person.

Hiring unit: Information Technology.

Position overview

This is the official EU Careers listing for Associate, Developer Backend at EBRD based in Sofia.

Requisition ID 36604 Office Country Bulgaria Office City Sofia Division Information Technology Contract Type Fixed Term Contract Length 3 years Posting End Date 24/08/2026

Step into a high-impact role where Java mastery meets real-world complexity. You'll be building enterprise-grade, cloud-native applications using Java 17+, Spring Boot, and microservices architecture. Driving clean code, smart design, and performance at scale. From RESTful APIs to custom integrations and scalable data solutions, you’ll own the full development lifecycle and operate with real autonomy. If writing elegant, maintainable code and solving complex software problems are your strengths, this role will feel like home.

But it’s more than just code. You’ll lead on quality, through robust testing, TDD/BDD, and CI/CD automation, while also ensuring your solutions perform in production with security, observability, and resilience in mind. You’ll collaborate across architecture, DevOps, and cloud teams (Azure, Kubernetes, Docker) to deliver scalable systems that make a real difference. If you’re ready to take the reins and shape the future of enterprise Java applications, this is your moment.

Accountabilities & Responsibilities

Software Design and Development

* Enables the design, development, testing, and maintenance of high-quality software solutions, operating without supervision. * Writes clear, maintainable, and well-documented code. * Develops and maintains RESTful APIs and microservices, ensuring scalability and maintainability. * Integrates third-party services and APIs. * Implements data storage solutions (e.g., relational and NoSQL databases). * Performs debugging and troubleshooting to resolve software issues.

Quality Assurance

* Responsible for code reviews, ensuring adherence to coding standards and best practices for Java development. * Writes unit and integration tests using frameworks like JUnit and Mockito to ensure code quality. * Manages complexity holistically by implementing automated testing frameworks and tools to ensure the reliability and performance of Java solutions. * Follows test-driven development (TDD) and behaviour-driven development (BDD) practices where applicable. * Ensures non-functional requirements such as performance, security, and scalability are met.

Operations, Maintenance, Support, and Documentation

* Participates in the deployment and release processes, ensuring smooth rollouts of new features. * Monitors production systems, investigates issues, and provides timely resolutions. * Maintains clear documentation of code and processes specific to Java, following established guidelines. * Provides ongoing support and troubleshooting for Java solutions. * Automates repetitive tasks and improves development workflows using scripting and DevOps practices.

Data and Architecture

* Develops and maintains RESTful APIs for Java solutions. * Designs and implements custom connectors and integrations with external systems for Java. * Assists in designing robust and scalable system architectures that align with organisational needs. * Contributes to the design and implementation of data models and schemas for Java solutions. * Evaluates and recommends best practices for integrating Java with external systems and third-party services.

Knowledge, Skills, Experience & Qualifications

* Educated to degree level or equivalent, with a qualification in an IT, engineering, or scientific discipline, desired. * Extensive working experience in Java (Java 17 or later) and Spring Framework (Spring Boot, Spring MVC, Spring Data). * Extensive working experience in developing and optimising RESTful APIs and microservices. * Extensive working experience with containerisation (Docker, Kubernetes) and cloud-native application development. * Confident working with relational databases (Azure SQL) and ORM frameworks like Hibernate. * Confident working with messaging systems such as ActiveMQ or Azure Service Bus. * A solid understanding of software development principles, with experience in system design and architecture. * Extensive working experience in writing unit and integration tests using JUnit, Mockito, and test-driven development (TDD). * Extensive working experience in implementing CI/CD pipelines for automated builds, testing, and deployments. * Confident working with load testing and performance tuning for high-traffic applications. * Extensive working experience in deploying and maintaining applications in cloud environments (Azure, AWS, or GCP). * Extensive working experience of monitoring tools like Azure Monitor and Application Insights, and application logging strategies. * Extensive working experience in documenting software design, system architecture, and API contracts using OpenAPI specification. * Extensive working experience of microservices architecture, event-driven design, and distributed systems. * Extensive working experience in application authentication protocols (OAuth 2.0, JWT), and security best practices. * Confident to make architectural decisions considering scalability, reliability, and maintainability. * Solid understanding of caching strategies (Hazelcast, Redis) and database performance tuning techniques. * Self-starting, highly disciplined individual with strong analytical and critical thinking skills gained from hands on experience in response to technical requirements. * Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to communicate appropriate, concise, and accurate information to a wide variety of audiences both within and outside of the EBRD. * Excellent people skills, in particular service orientation, organisational awareness and people empathy. * Fluency in written and spoken English. * Ability to operate sensitively and effectively in a multicultural environment.

What is it like to work at the EBRD? / About EBRD

Our agile and innovative approach is what makes life at the EBRD a unique experience! You will be part of a pioneering and diverse international organisation, and use your talents to make a real difference to people's lives and help shape the future of the regions we invest in.

At EBRD, our Values – Inclusiveness, Innovation, Trust, and Responsibility – are at the heart of how we work. We bring these to life through our Workplace Behaviours: listening well and speaking up, collaborating smartly, acting decisively with full commitment, and simplifying to amplify our impact. These principles shape our culture and define our success. We seek individuals who not only share these values but are also committed to embedding them in their daily work, fostering a positive and high-performing environment.

The EBRD environment provides you with:

* Varied, stimulating and engaging work that gives you an opportunity to interact with a wide range of experts in the financial, political, public and private sectors across the regions we invest in. * A working culture that embraces inclusion and celebrates diversity. Our workforce reflects a broad range of backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences, bringing fresh ideas, energy, and innovation and enhancing our ability to serve our clients, shareholders, and counterparties effectively. * We offer hybrid and flexible working arrangements and believe we operate at our best when collaborating 3 days a week in person (minimum). * An environment that places sustainability, equality and digital transformation at the heart of what we do. * A workplace that prioritises employee wellbeing and provides a comprehensive suite of competitive benefits.

Diversity is one of the Bank’s core values which are at the heart of everything it does. As such, the EBRD seeks to ensure that everyone is treated with respect and given equal opportunities and works in an inclusive environment. The EBRD encourages all qualified candidates who are nationals of the EBRD member countries to apply regardless of their racial, ethnic, religious and cultural background, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, socio-economic background or disability.

Please note, that due to the high volume of applications received, we regret to inform you that we are unable to provide detailed feedback to candidates who have not been shortlisted (for further consideration).

Job Segment:Developer, Testing, Cloud, Application Developer, Sustainability, Technology, Energy

Application timeline

This vacancy was first listed on 3 August 2026, 2 days ago.

No closing date is published in the source feed for this position. EU vacancies typically remain open for four to eight weeks; check the official vacancy notice for the cut-off date and time.

Last verified against the EU Careers feed on 6 August 2026.

Where to learn more

For headcount, mission, and other open vacancies at EBRD see the EBRD institution page; for the cost of living, correction coefficient, and other postings in Sofia see our Sofia location page.

New to EU careers? Our beginner's guide walks through entry routes, EPSO competitions, and what to prepare. For application logistics see application tips and EPSO competitions.