About this role.
Zuora is seeking a Senior Java Engineer to build and optimize scalable backend services supporting enterprise billing and revenue systems. The role requires strong hands-on expertise with Java 11+, Spring Boot, microservices, distributed messaging, databases, and cloud-native delivery practices. This hybrid Foster City position involves close collaboration with product, architecture, DevOps, and QA teams while contributing to system design, code reviews, and engineering standards. The engineer will mentor junior developers and work on high-volume, high-availability services using technologies such as Kafka, AWS, Docker, Kubernetes, REST, and gRPC. The position is well suited to an experienced backend engineer who can balance deep technical execution with cross-functional communication.
Role DNA
A quick view of the complexity, pace, ownership and collaboration implied by the job description.
Job Complexity
4/5Pace & Pressure
4/5Autonomy Level
4/5Communication Load
4/5Salary analysis
Estimated compensation compared with the broader US market for similar roles.
Core skills
Skills and capabilities most closely associated with this opportunity.
Sample interview questions
I would use an event-driven architecture with Kafka, partitioning by a stable business key such as account or subscription ID to preserve ordering where needed. Consumers would be idempotent, persist processing state transactionally, use retry and dead-letter strategies for failures, and expose metrics for lag, throughput, error rates, and processing latency.
I begin with measurable service-level objectives and observability, including structured logs, traces, and application and infrastructure metrics. I then address bottlenecks through efficient database access, connection-pool tuning, caching where appropriate, bounded concurrency, resilient downstream calls, and load testing before release.
I select REST for broadly accessible, resource-oriented external integrations and gRPC for efficient internal service-to-service calls with strongly typed contracts. In both cases, I define versioning, validation, authentication, error semantics, idempotency requirements, and backward-compatible change procedures.
I would first assess scope and customer impact using dashboards, traces, and recent deployment history. I would isolate whether the issue is caused by application CPU or memory pressure, database queries, Kafka lag, network dependencies, or Kubernetes resource constraints, mitigate impact through rollback or scaling where appropriate, and document the root cause and preventive actions afterward.
I use focused code-review feedback, pair programming for complex work, and clear design documents that explain trade-offs rather than only prescribing solutions. I assign ownership of appropriately scoped features, provide regular context and feedback, and encourage engineers to build confidence through testing, operational visibility, and incremental delivery.
About Zuora
At Zuora, we help businesses grow smarter and adapt faster. Our platform powers modern business models — from subscriptions and usage-based pricing to AI-driven and outcome-based offerings — helping companies launch new products, automate complex billing, and unlock predictable, recurring revenue.
We’ve led the Subscription Economy for more than a decade. Now we’re evolving again by building the definitive platform for quote to cash and helping companies monetize their products and services with an adaptable, AI-ready foundation.
Location & Work Arrangements
This role is based in our Foster City, CA office and follows a hybrid work model. Team members are expected to work onsite three days per week to foster collaboration, innovation, and team connectivity.
This is not a fully remote position.
About the Role
We are looking for an experienced Senior Java Engineer to join our backend engineering team. You’ll be responsible for designing, building, and optimizing high-performance, scalable services that power our enterprise-grade billing and revenue systems.
You’ll work closely with cross-functional teams — product managers, architects, and DevOps — to deliver critical features with high availability and performance.
Key Responsibilities
- Design and develop scalable backend services using Java (11+), Spring Boot, and Microservices architecture.
- Build and maintain integrations with Kafka, AWS, and REST/gRPC APIs.
- Optimize system performance, reliability, and throughput for high-volume workloads.
- Participate in architectural design discussions and code reviews.
- Mentor junior engineers and contribute to improving engineering best practices.
- Collaborate with product and QA teams in an agile environment.
Required Qualifications
- 6–10 years of professional software development experience.
- Strong proficiency in Java, Spring Boot, and Microservices design.
- Solid understanding of data structures, multithreading, and design patterns.
- Experience with message queues (Kafka/RabbitMQ) and databases (MySQL, PostgreSQL, MongoDB).
- Familiarity with CI/CD pipelines, Docker, Kubernetes, and cloud platforms (AWS/GCP).
- Excellent problem-solving and communication skills.
Nice-to-Have
- Exposure to distributed systems, billing platforms, or large-scale data processing.
- Knowledge of Python/Go for microservices scripting or automation.
- Knowledge of ML, Big Data and AI.
- Open-source contributions or technical blogging.
Why Join Us
- Work on modern, high-impact systems used by global enterprises.
- Competitive compensation with performance bonuses.
- Flexible work environment and opportunities for career advancement.
- Collaborative culture with a focus on engineering excellence.
Benefits
Zuora offers a comprehensive total rewards package designed to support ZEOs’ wellbeing, growth, and flexibility. While specific offerings may vary by country, we typically provide:
- Competitive compensation, variable bonus and performance-based reward opportunities, and retirement programs
- Medical Insurance
- Generous, flexible time off, plus paid holidays, wellness days, and a company-wide year-end break
- Paid parental leave (including fully paid leave for eligible ZEOs, subject to local policy)
- Learning & development stipend to support ongoing growth
- Opportunities to volunteer and give back, including charitable donation matching where available
- Mental wellbeing resources and support
*Benefits may vary by location; details will be shared during the interview process
#ZEOLife at Zuora
ZEOs (our employees) are empowered to take ownership, challenge the status quo, and make a real impact. We:
- Collaborate deeply across teams and regions
- Learn constantly and iterate often
- Build an inclusive, high-performance culture where people feel inspired, connected, and valued
Our Commitment to an Inclusive Workplace
Think, be and do you.
At Zuora, different perspectives, experiences, and contributions matter — everyone counts.
Zuora is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to creating an inclusive environment for all. We do not discriminate on the basis of, and consider individuals seeking employment with Zuora without regard to, race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, reproductive health decisions, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, genetic information, political views or activity, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.
We encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply. Applicants in need of special assistance or accommodation during the interview process or in accessing our website may contact us by sending an email to assistance@zuora.com (or local equivalent, where applicable).
The base pay details represent the annualized salary range for the posted position. While we share a comprehensive range, a candidate’s final base salary will fall within these guidelines and will be determined based on multiple factors including but not limited to: qualifications of the candidate, job related knowledge, prior related experience, specific and unique skills, the location of the role, internal equity and internal budget. Base pay is only one element of Zuora’s Total Rewards Package. Additional elements may also include bonus/variable compensation, equity and comprehensive benefits, more details found here.
Base Pay Details
$164,800—$226,600 USD
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