Lead Developer

Brightly is an experience design (XD) and digital transformation (DX) consultancy focused on turning complex business challenges into elegant, simple software. Brightly is design-led, research-driven, user-focused, and deep on technology. Brightly delivers world-class business software design and product strategy & development expertise to complex custom software projects (including digital products, B2B & B2C e-commerce, SaaS solutions, enterprise web & mobile, as well as proof-of-concept, prototype & innovative applications in AI, machine learning, AR/VR, and more.

Brightly’s clients face unique and complex business issues, therefore we seek team members passionate about their craft with a love for problem-solving, continuous learning, and collaboration. With a geographically diverse team, we work best with self-motivated people with strong communication skills. Brightly offers flexibility in work/life schedule, paid training opportunities, and a growing list of benefits.

We’re looking for a Lead Developer who thrives in a hands-on leadership role — someone who can both write high-quality code and coordinate delivery for a small, focused team.

This role supports a Michigan-based client, with a strong preference for candidates who have experience in health insurance or healthcare-related systems.

You’ll act as a technical leader and point of coordination, ensuring high-quality delivery while collaborating closely with client stakeholders, designers, and engineers.

Employment, Location, And Travel

• Full-time salaried or contract-to-hire
• Fully remote, partially remote, or on-site in our Grand Rapids office depending on applicant’s location and preference
• Brightly has national clients, so some travel may be required

Some of our benefits include

• Four-day work week (optional based on preference)
• Remote work
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• 401(k)
• Paid time off
• Paid holidays
• Maternity leave & parental leave
• Mobile phone stipend
• Paid training opportunities
• Memberships/discounts

What You’ll Do

• Lead development efforts while remaining actively hands-on in coding
• Build and maintain applications using Java (Spring Boot) and Vue.js
• Coordinate day-to-day development activities for a small delivery team
• Collaborate directly with client stakeholders to align on priorities and expectations
• Drive technical decisions, architecture, and implementation approaches
• Ensure high standards for code quality, performance, and scalability
• Support API design, integrations, and system architecture
• Facilitate Agile ceremonies and ensure smooth sprint execution
• Mentor developers and foster a collaborative team environment
• Identify and mitigate risks, blockers, and delivery challenges

What You Bring

• 6+ years of software development experience
• Proven experience in a lead or senior developer role
• Strong expertise in Java (Spring Boot) and modern back-end development
• Solid experience with Vue.js (or similar modern front-end frameworks)
• Experience building and integrating RESTful APIs and microservices
• Strong understanding of software architecture and system design
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
• Experience working in Agile environments
• Ability to balance hands-on development with team coordination

Nice to Have

• Experience in health insurance, healthcare, or regulated industries
• Familiarity with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP)
• Experience with CI/CD pipelines and modern DevOps practices
• Knowledge of containerization (Docker, Kubernetes)
• Experience with data integrations and complex business workflows