Senior Java Architect - Transaction & SQL Reverse Engineer

Job Title: Senior Java Application Architect - Database & Transaction Analysis

Role Summary

We are seeking a highly experienced Senior Java Application Architect to reverse engineer data access and transactional behavior across a large portfolio of enterprise Java applications. The role focuses on extracting embedded SQL, reconstructing transactional workflows, and translating runtime behavior into testable data contracts and workload signatures to support large-scale database modernization initiatives.

This position plays a critical role in pre-model validation and database compatibility assessment , particularly for migrations from traditional RDBMS platforms (e.g., Oracle) to distributed databases such as Google Spanner .

Key Responsibilities

Codebase Analysis

• Analyze large and complex Java application codebases utilizing:

  • JDBC

  • ORM frameworks (Hibernate / JPA)

  • Custom data access layers

• Extract embedded SQL statements and transaction boundaries from application code.

• Identify implicit runtime assumptions, including:

  • Query ordering dependencies

  • Locking behavior

  • Transaction isolation levels

  • Retry and failure handling mechanisms

SQL Signature & Workload Extraction

• Normalize extracted SQL into reusable and standardized SQL signatures .

• Map SQL signatures to:

  • Database tables and columns

  • Transaction scopes and logical units of work

• Identify SQL and transaction patterns that are incompatible with distributed databases such as Spanner.

Transaction & Behavior Reconstruction

• Reconstruct logical transactions spanning multiple queries and service layers.

• Identify business workflows embedded within application code.

• Translate low-level implementation details into intent-based transactional contracts .

• Create behavioral models that reflect real-world production workloads.

Collaboration & Validation

• Partner with Oracle database architects to validate actual runtime behavior and constraints.

• Collaborate with Google Spanner architects to assess feasibility, risks, and required design changes.

• Support QA and performance teams in developing realistic workload replay and test scenarios.

Key Deliverables

• SQL Signature Library

• Transaction behavior and dependency maps

• Application-to-data dependency graphs

• Compatibility risk assessments and flags

• Input artifacts for workload modeling and replay

Required Skills & Experience

Technical Expertise

• 10+ years of experience in Java application architecture

• Deep expertise in:

  • JDBC

  • Transaction management (local and distributed)

  • ORM internals (Hibernate, JPA)

• Strong SQL skills, including:

  • Complex joins

  • Subqueries

  • Transactional SQL patterns

• Proven experience reverse engineering large, legacy enterprise systems

• Ability to analyze and understand code written by multiple teams over many years

Soft Skills

• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

• Ability to work across architecture, database, and QA teams

• Comfortable operating in ambiguous, highly technical environments

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with database modernization or cloud migrations

• Familiarity with distributed databases (e.g., Google Spanner)

• Experience in financial services or other transaction-intensive domains