Software Engineer Lead - Java, Spring boot, Kafka

Position Overview At PNC, our people are our greatest differentiator and competitive advantage in the markets we serve. We are all united in delivering the best experience for our customers. We work together each day to foster an inclusive workplace culture where all of our employees feel respected, valued and have an opportunity to contribute to the company’s success. As a Software Engineer Lead within PNC's Retail Tech organization, you will be based in Pittsburgh, Strongsville, OH, Birmingham, AL or Dallas, TX. We are seeking a skilled Software Engineer with a strong emphasis on API development and integration to design, build, and maintain scalable, high-performance services. This role will primarily focus on developing robust APIs that enable seamless communication across platforms and systems. Key Responsibilities • Primary (API Development – Core Focus) • Design, develop, and maintain RESTful and/or GraphQL APIs • Lead a team of mid-level to senior developers. • Experience with Event Streaming with Kafka • Build scalable, secure, and high-performing API services • Define API contracts and documentation (OpenAPI/Swagger) • Integrate APIs with databases and third-party services • Optimize API performance and reliability • Implement authentication and authorization (OAuth2, JWT) • Collaborating with cross-functional teams • Conduct code reviews and enforce API standards • Assist with CI/CD pipelines and GitOps practices • Collaborate with DevOps teams • Troubleshoot deployment issues Required Qualifications • Strong experience in API development (Java 8/17/21, Spring Boot, Kafka) • Proven experience building RESTful APIs • Knowledge of API security and lifecycle management • Experience with Oracle and MySQL databases • Familiarity with microservices architecture Preferred Qualifications • Exposure to Kubernetes • Experience with CI/CD pipelines • Cloud platform familiarity (AWS, Azure, GCP) Nice to Have • Experience with API gateways • Knowledge of event-driven architecture • Experience with observability tools Key Skills • Primary: API Design, Development, Integration, Security PNC is an in-office company that fosters a supportive culture where employees can thrive and achieve balance. We encourage candidates to connect with their recruiter and hiring manager to understand workplace expectations and ensure the role aligns with their goals. PNC will not provide sponsorship for employment visas or participate in STEM OPT for this position. Job Description Creates and leads the technical design and development of software solutions. Proposes & designs software solutions to address complex business needs. Prepares technical and procedural documentation required. Facilitates complex problem resolution. Provides technical guidance and support to colleagues. Reviews coding, testing, and documentation of software. Applies modern principles, methodologies and tools to advance business initiatives and capabilities. PNC Employees take pride in our reputation and to continue building upon that we expect our employees to be: Customer Focused - Knowledgeable of the values and practices that align customer needs and satisfaction as primary considerations in all business decisions and able to leverage that information in creating customized customer solutions. Managing Risk - Assessing and effectively managing all of the risks associated with their business objectives and activities to ensure they adhere to and support PNC's Enterprise Risk Management Framework. Qualifications Successful candidates must demonstrate appropriate knowledge, skills, and abilities for a role. Listed below are skills, competencies, work experience, education, and required certifications/licensures needed to be successful in this position. Preferred Skills Apache Kafka, API Development, Application Development, Business Management, Customer Solutions, Design, Group Problem Solving, Java (Programming Language), Process Improvements, Release Management, Software Solutions, Spring Boot, User Experience (UX) Design Competencies Application Delivery Process, Application Design, Architecture, Application Development Tools, Application Testing, Packaged Application Integration, System Development Life Cycle, Technical Troubleshooting Work Experience Roles at this level typically require a university / college degree, with 3+ years of relevant / direct industry experience. Certifications are often desired. In lieu of a degree, a comparable combination of education, job specific certification(s), and experience (including military service) may be considered. Education Bachelors Certifications No Required Certification(s) Licenses No Required License(s) Pay Transparency Base Salary: $67,500.00 – $172,500.00 Salaries may vary based on geographic location, market data and on individual skills, experience, and education. This role is incentive eligible with the payment based upon company, business and/or individual performance. Application Window Generally, this opening is expected to be posted for two business days from 07/03/2026, although it may be longer with business discretion. Benefits PNC offers a comprehensive range of benefits to help meet your needs now and in the future. Depending on your eligibility, options for full-time employees include: medical/prescription drug coverage (with a Health Savings Account feature), dental and vision options; employee and spouse/child life insurance; short and long-term disability protection; 401(k) with PNC match, pension and stock purchase plans; dependent care reimbursement account; back-up child/elder care; adoption, surrogacy, and doula reimbursement; educational assistance, including select programs fully paid; a robust wellness program with financial incentives. In addition, PNC generally provides the following paid time off, depending on your eligibility: maternity and/or parental leave; up to 11 paid holidays each year; 9 occasional absence days each year, unless otherwise required by law; between 15 to 25 vacation days each year, depending on career level; and years of service. To learn more about these and other programs, including benefits for full time and part-time employees, visit . Disability Accommodations Statement If an accommodation is required to participate in the application process, please contact us via email at . Please include “accommodation request” in the subject line title and be sure to include your name, the job ID, and your preferred method of contact in the body of the email. Emails not related to accommodation requests will not receive responses. Applicants may also call 877-968-7762 and say "Workday" for accommodation assistance. All information provided will be kept confidential and will be used only to the extent required to provide needed reasonable accommodations. At PNC we foster an inclusive and accessible workplace. We provide reasonable accommodations to employment applicants and qualified individuals with a disability who need an accommodation to perform the essential functions of their positions. Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) PNC provides equal employment opportunity to qualified persons regardless of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, veteran status, or other categories protected by law. This position is subject to the requirements of Section 19 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (FDIA) and, for any registered role, the Secure and Fair Enforcement for Mortgage Licensing Act of 2008 (SAFE Act) and/or the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), which prohibit the hiring of individuals with certain criminal history. California Residents Refer to the California Consumer Privacy Act Privacy Notice to gain understanding of how PNC may use or disclose your personal information in our hiring practices.