Senior Full-stack Software Engineer Java Elasticsearch

JOB OPPORTUNITY
· EU INSTITUTIONS — Senior Full-stack Software Engineer Java
· JPA
· KendoUI
· Elasticsearch
· LLM / RAG
· Ispra (VA) CLIENT: European Institution – research centre, ICT Services unit PROFILE: Full-stack Software Engineer – Senior level WORK MODE: Near-site: at least 2 days/week on-site in Ispra (VA), Italy CONTRACT: Time & Means, specific contract (may be executed in phases)

EXPERIENCE:
15+ years IT (Master's)
· 17+ (Bachelor's)
· 22+ (diploma)

EDUCATION:
IT-relevant Master's / Bachelor's degree, or technical/scientific diploma LANGUAGES: Italian and English B2 or higher (spoken and written) MAX RATE: to be agreed BACKGROUND & MANDATE DID S.r.l. is looking for a Senior Full-stack Software Engineer for a near-site assignment with a European Institution in Ispra (VA), within the ICT unit that designs, builds and runs the information systems used across the organisation. The consultant will own full-stack development, maintenance and evolution of the "Work Programme" applications area: a portfolio of Java Enterprise web applications for project planning, impact review, collaboration agreements and budget planning, plus a shared role-based authorization toolkit and a new AI assistant built on LLM + RAG. The environment is multicultural and multilingual, with strong emphasis on diligence, discretion and responsibility. MAIN TASKS
* Core platform: maintain and evolve the core project-planning information system, ensuring long-term stability and maintainability
* New features: design and implement new features across the whole stack, from database design to front-end (data management plans, approval workflows, research-infrastructure features and the transition to the next EU research framework programme)
* Budget planning: evolve the budget planning module (credit re-allocation and redistribution, integration with scientific budget planning)
* AI assistant (LLM + RAG): contribute to the design and development of an AI-assisted help system based on Elasticsearch (NoSQL and vector database) and LLM interaction
* Authorization toolkit: occasional maintenance and performance improvements of the Java role-based authorization framework (rules engine, workflow, admin UI) SOFT SKILLS
* quick ramp-up on new projects and strong collaboration within teams
* at ease in multilingual meetings, clear communicator
* able to work both in a team and autonomously; results-oriented WORKING CONDITIONS
* on-site presence in Ispra at least 2 days per week (days set by the client); ad hoc presence may be requested with 2 hours' notice – living within commuting distance is essential
* working days between 8:00 and 19:00, with guaranteed availability 9:30-12:00 and 15:00-16:30 (16:00 on Fridays)
* no service on the Ispra site closure days and Italian public holidays
* start within 3 months of contract signature; monthly progress reports
* no security clearance and no certifications required; signature of the Institution's Ethics reminder and Acceptable Use Policy SELECTION PROCESS 1. CV in English with the "Software expertise" section filled in (years + self-rating 1-5 for each mandatory skill), linked to your professional experiences. 2. Technical questionnaire: 7 open questions (front-end, Java back-end, databases & Elasticsearch, Git & CI/CD, code quality & testing, AI tools in development, AI integration), max 1,500 characters each. Minimum score 70% overall. Answers must be written personally: the use of AI tools or any external assistance is strictly forbidden and leads to rejection. 3. Possible remote live interview (Teams / Webex, at least 3 working days' notice). Attendance is mandatory and no external help is allowed. MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS (years and self-rated competence 1-5 must appear in the CV "Software expertise" section, cross-referenced to the relevant professional experiences; candidates not meeting these minimum requirements are rejected)
* Java: 20 years, self-rating 4/5 or higher
* Front-end technologies (JavaScript, CSS, HTML): 20 years, self-rating 4/5 or higher
* KendoUI (with active use within the last year): 15 years, self-rating 4/5 or higher
* Relational databases – data structure design and SQL: 10 years, self-rating 4/5 or higher
* JPA (Hibernate, EclipseLink, ...): 15 years cumulative, self-rating 4/5 or higher
* Elasticsearch – full-text search, Query DSL, fuzzy matching: 6 months in the last 2 years
* AI-assisted software development – at least one complete project within the last year, proven in CV
* Elasticsearch + LLM / vector-database integration project – at least one project, proven in CV TECHNICAL PROFILE
* Java back-end stack: Spring Boot, Spring Data, JPA implementations; server-side business logic for enterprise web apps
* front-end: JavaScript, HTML, CSS, KendoUI, Angular / Bootstrap, modern build tools (Webpack, Vite), cross-browser UIs
* relational schema design and query optimisation; search and indexing with Elasticsearch
* Git workflows (GitFlow, trunk-based) and deploymen