Scala Developer
Job Description
About the Role
We are hiring an experienced Scala Developer to build and maintain production applications using Apache Spark, Akka, Play Framework. This role requires strong technical fundamentals, clean code practices, and the ability to ship features independently while collaborating effectively with a remote team. The ideal candidate writes well-tested Scala code, has experience with sbt and IntelliJ IDEA, and can contribute to architecture decisions for systems serving thousands of users. You'll participate in code reviews, technical planning, and sprint ceremonies while owning features from implementation through deployment.
Key Responsibilities
- Own Apache Spark implementation and optimization — configuration, customization, and ongoing enhancement based on business needs
- Manage Akka workflows including setup, user training, and continuous improvement of processes
- Implement and maintain Play Framework ensuring seamless integration with existing systems and workflows
- Build and maintain Scala application features following clean code and SOLID principles
- Write comprehensive tests — unit, integration, and e2e — maintaining high test coverage
- Review code from teammates with constructive, thorough feedback focused on correctness and maintainability
- Participate in sprint planning, estimation, and technical architecture discussions
- Deploy code to production using established CI/CD pipelines and monitor for issues post-deployment
- Debug and resolve production issues with root cause analysis and prevention measures
- Document technical decisions, API contracts, and system architecture for team knowledge base
Must-Have Qualifications
- Hands-on experience with Apache Spark — configuration, customization, and troubleshooting in production environments
- Proficiency with sbt as part of the Scala development/operations workflow
- 3+ years of professional Scala development experience
- Strong fundamentals in Scala architecture patterns and best practices
- Experience writing tests and maintaining codebases with good test coverage
- Git proficiency — branching strategies, code review workflows, and conflict resolution
- Clear English communication skills for daily standups, code reviews, and documentation
Nice-to-Have Skills
- Lightbend Certified Reactive Architect certification or equivalent validated credential
- Databricks Certified Spark Developer certification or equivalent validated credential
- Experience with advanced Scala features: Akka, Play Framework, Cats & ZIO
- Familiarity with the broader Scala ecosystem including IntelliJ IDEA and Apache Kafka
- Contributions to open-source projects or a notable GitHub/portfolio presence
- Experience with CI/CD pipelines, Docker, and cloud deployment
Interview Tips
Technical Coding Exercise
Give a small, realistic Scala coding challenge that tests fundamentals — clean code, edge case handling, and test writing. Time-box to 45-60 minutes.
Architecture Whiteboard
Present a system design problem relevant to Scala. Evaluate their approach to scalability, data modeling, and trade-off discussions.
Code Review Simulation
Show a Scala pull request with both good patterns and subtle issues. Assess what they catch, how they communicate feedback, and what they prioritize.
Past Project Deep-Dive
Have them walk through their most challenging Scala project. Ask probing questions about architecture decisions, obstacles, and what they learned.
Typical Team Structure
Team Size
2-5 Scala developers
Reports To
Engineering Manager, Tech Lead, or CTO
Collaborates With
Product Management, QA/Testing, DevOps, Design
Skip the JD — Get Matched Instead
Tell us your Scala requirements and we'll send pre-vetted profiles with video intros in 24-48 hours.
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