About Careertakes

👉 Important disclosure: Careertakes is a third-party recruiting platform supporting this hiring process. If selected, you will be employed directly by our client, Technology / IT services.

Applicants for this role may also receive access to additional matched opportunities through the Careertakes platform.

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Role overview

Confidential Client is seeking motivated, entry-level technologists for Junior Java Developer roles with a Spring Boot and AI/data focus, and for early-career Data Engineer / Data Science pathways. These full-time positions are based in Urbana, IL and are suitable for recent graduates, career-switchers, and applicants with limited professional experience who want structured training, mentorship, and a clear path to grow practical skills and land stronger interviews.

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What you’ll do

• Contribute to development and maintenance of Java backend services using Spring Boot.
• Assist with data ingestion, ETL pipelines, and basic data engineering tasks supporting analytics and ML workflows.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to prototype AI/ML features and integrate models into applications.
• Write, test, and debug code; participate in code reviews and follow software engineering best practices.
• Build small end-to-end projects to demonstrate applied skills (backend APIs, data pipelines, basic model inference).
• Document work, track tickets, and communicate progress with mentors and teammates.

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Who we’re looking for (minimum qualifications)

• Recent graduate (Bachelor’s or Master’s) in Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, Statistics, or a related field — OR comparable self-taught/project experience.
• Basic programming experience in Java; familiarity or coursework with Spring / Spring Boot is strongly preferred.
• Foundational knowledge of data concepts (SQL, data structures, basic ETL) and interest in data engineering or ML/AI.
• Comfortable working with Python for scripting or data tasks (helpful but not always required).
• Understanding of version control (Git) and basic software development lifecycle concepts.
• Strong problem-solving skills, ability to learn quickly, and good written/verbal communication.
• Authorized to work in the United States.

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Preferred / nice-to-have skills

• Practical coursework, internships, or personal projects using Spring Boot, REST APIs, or microservices.
• Familiarity with basic machine learning concepts (model training vs. inference) or experience running small ML experiments.
• Exposure to cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) or containerization (Docker).
• Experience with SQL-based analytics, data pipelines, or simple data warehousing concepts.
• Any public code samples, GitHub projects, portfolios, or project write-ups that demonstrate applied skills.

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Training & career support

Confidential Client partners with training and placement programs that emphasize:

• Hands-on projects to bridge coursework and employer expectations.
• Resume and interview coaching geared toward early-career candidates.
• Structured pathways into Java full‑stack, DevOps, data engineering, analytics, and ML/AI roles. Candidates selected through this hiring process may receive mentoring and resources to accelerate interview readiness and career placement.

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Location & work arrangement

• Role location: Urbana, IL (on-site or hybrid arrangements will vary by specific opening). Local candidates or candidates willing to relocate to Urbana, IL are encouraged to apply.
• Employment type: Full-time.
• Must be authorized to work in the U.S. — we do not require U.S. citizenship.

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How we evaluate candidates

• Demonstrated motivation to learn and grow (projects, coursework, bootcamps, internships).
• Clear communication of contributions to projects and ability to discuss technical decisions.
• Baseline coding ability in Java and basic data knowledge; willingness to upskill into Spring Boot, data pipelines, and AI/ML topics.

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Reasonable accommodations

Careertakes and our client are committed to inclusive hiring. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or interview process, please indicate that in your application materials or reach out through the Careertakes platform.

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Equal Opportunity & Hiring Transparency

Careertakes and our client are Equal Opportunity Employers committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We prohibit discrimination or harassment of any kind. To support a fair and efficient hiring process, AI tools may be used to assist with application review or resume screening. These tools do not replace human decision-making. Final hiring decisions are made by people.

If you have questions about how your data is used, please contact us directly.