Software Engineer - Java Backend

Nelnet Business Services (NBS), a division of Nelnet, Inc., provides payment technology, education services, and learning management solutions to education and faith-based organizations, serving more than 1,300 higher education institutions, 11,500 K-12 schools, 3,500 churches, and millions of individual students, families, and supporters across the globe. Our culture of service enables us to form long-lasting and trusted partnerships, while our focus on creativity and innovative solutions empowers our customer communities to thrive.

As a Nelnet company, the perks at NBS go beyond our benefits package. You’re part of a community, invested in you as an individual and united by our mission to create opportunities for people where they live, learn and work.

We build and support customer-facing APIs that process payment transactions in a secure, high-availability environment. These systems handle sensitive financial data where reliability, performance, and transactional integrity are essential.

We are seeking a mid-level Backend Software Engineer to design, develop, and maintain Java-based services that enable secure and accurate payment workflows at scale. This role focuses exclusively on backend development, including RESTful API design and service integrations within a service-based architecture.

The ideal candidate has experience operating live systems and demonstrates sound engineering judgment in areas such as API design, transactional consistency, and resiliency. You will collaborate in an Agile environment, contribute to technical decisions, and take ownership of delivering stable, scalable backend solutions.

What You'll Do

Design, develop, and maintain Java-based backend services supporting customer-facing payment APIs

Build and enhance RESTful APIs and service integrations in a scalable service-based environment

Incorporate AI-enabled development tools and practices to improve delivery speed, code quality, and testing effectiveness

Write clean, testable code with meaningful unit and integration coverage

Contribute to system design discussions and architectural decisions, balancing performance, reliability, and long-term maintainability

Participate in an on-call rotation to support live systems, performing root-cause analysis when issues arise

Partner with engineering peers and cross-functional stakeholders to deliver secure, scalable solutions aligned with business needs

Drive continuous improvements in system performance and operational efficiency

• Pay Range for this role is - $105,000 to $115,000

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience

Experience

3+ years developing Java-based backend applications in a professional environment

Strong hands-on proficiency building production services with Spring Boot and Hibernate / JPA

Proven ability to design, implement, and support RESTful APIs in production systems

Solid knowledge of relational databases such as PostgreSQL, SQL Server, or MySQL, including schema design and query optimization

Familiarity with distributed systems or microservices architectures

Demonstrated use of modern AI-enabled development tools to improve code quality, strengthen testing practices, and increase delivery efficiency

Professional Strengths

Strong foundation in Java and modern backend engineering practices, with emphasis on clean architecture and maintainable code

Understanding of service-based systems, including inter-service communication, fault tolerance, and operational reliability

Analytical approach to diagnosing and resolving issues in live environments

Understanding of transactional systems and the importance of data integrity in payment processing workflows

Familiarity with secure coding practices and operating within regulated environments, including PCI-DSS considerations

Ownership mindset, taking services from design through production support

Collaborative and accountable, focused on delivering secure, reliable software

Our benefits package includes medical, dental, vision, HSA and FSA, generous earned time off, 401K / student loan repayment, life insurance & AD&D insurance, employee assistance program, employee stock purchase program, tuition reimbursement, performance-based incentive pay, short- and long-term disability, and a robust wellness program. Click here to learn more about our benefits : .

Nelnet is committed to providing a welcoming and respectful workplace where all associates have the opportunity to succeed. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we ensure that all qualified applicants are considered for employment. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion / creed, national origin, gender, sex, marital status, age, disability, use of a guide dog or service animal, sexual orientation, military / veteran status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law. We value the unique contributions of every team member and believe that a positive work environment benefits everyone.

Qualified individuals with disabilities who require reasonable accommodations in order to apply or compete for positions at Nelnet may request such accommodations by