Lead Engineer - IT

Job Description:Lead Engineer
Job Profile Summary
We are seeking a Lead Engineer with strong hands-on engineering experience in designing, developing, and delivering scalable enterprise applications. This role requires solid technical expertise across full-stack development, API-driven architecture, cloud-enabled delivery, automation quality practices, and the ability to contribute to reliable, secure, and high-performing solutions.
The Lead Engineer will contribute to solution design, develop quality engineering deliverables, support code reviews, and collaborate closely with Technical Leads, Product Owners, architects, developers, QA engineers, and cross-functional stakeholders to translate business needs into robust technology solutions. The role is expected to support architecture alignment, code quality, API and integration development, CI/CD adoption, production readiness, and continuous improvement within the delivery team.
Key Skills
At least 8+ years of engineering experience
Strong communication skills, with passion for quality and attention to detail
Experience working across teams and driving alignment across multiple stakeholders
Significant experience with Java (Spring Boot preferred), React JS , Next JS.
Strong knowledge of server-side rendering (SSR), static site generation (SSG), and API-driven development
Significant experience designing and building scalable RESTful APIs and microservices
Hands-on experience with AI-assisted development tools such as Claude Code, GitHub Copilot, Cursor, ChatGPT, or similar platforms to support code generation, refactoring, test creation, debugging, documentation, and developer productivity.
Ability to use AI coding assistants responsibly, including validating generated code, following secure coding practices, maintaining code review discipline, writing effective prompts, and protecting confidential information.
Strong understanding of web performance optimization, accessibility, and responsive design.
Experience building applications from concept/design → architecture → development → production deployment
Strong understanding of design patterns and architectural approaches such as MVC, MVVM, layered architecture, microservices, and event-driven architecture
Experience with authentication/authorization (OAuth, JWT, SSO)
Good in cloud platforms (AWS) and containerization (Docker, Kubernetes)
Strong understanding of CI/CD pipelines and DevOps practices
Use/Integrate with Observability tools – App D, Splunk etc.
Strong knowledge of database technologies (SQL/NoSQL – PostgreSQL, MySQL, MongoDB, etc.)
Proficient understanding of code versioning tools (Git)
Domain Experience (Added Advantage)
Experience working with US Insurance domain (Group Benefits, Billing, Claims, Enrolment, etc.)
Familiarity with platforms or business processes related to MetLife, Sun Life or similar insurers will be a strong advantage Understanding of regulatory, compliance, and customer experience aspects in insurance systems
Roles and Responsibilities:
Contribute and design end-to-end full-stack solutions across frontend and backend systems
Review engineers’ pull requests and mentor them on coding standards, scalability, and best practices
Collaborate with UX/design teams to ensure consistent, intuitive, and responsive UI/UX patterns
Design and develop scalable, secure APIs and backend services
Build and maintain high-performance React/Next.js applications
Lead development of server-side rendering and SEO-friendly web applications
Manage application deployments across environments including Dev, QA, UAT, and Production
Define and implement CI/CD pipelines for web applications
Responsible for production support (PROD support) on a rotational/on-demand basis, ensuring system stability and quick issue resolution
Ensure high test coverage (unit, integration, and UI tests) and enforce quality gates.
Ability to guide and influence test automation via AI.
Lead the adoption of coding standards, architectural guidelines, and best practices
Champion the adoption of AI-assisted development practices using tools such as Claude Code, GitHub Copilot, Cursor, ChatGPT, and similar platforms to improve code quality, automation, refactoring, documentation, productivity, and engineering consistency
Evaluate and recommend new frontend/backend technologies and frameworks
Design solutions for security, scalability, and high availability
Work closely with cross-functional teams to deliver complex technical initiatives
Work shift: Work in overlapping time zones with US teams on the East coast as required
Location:
This position can be based in any of the following locations:
Chennai
Current Guardian Colleagues: Please apply through the internal Jobs Hub in Workday