Senior Java Software Engineer at CLEAR, NY

CLEAR is building the secure identity platform of the future, connecting more than 43 million Members with frictionless experiences across travel, healthcare, financial services, and everyday consumer interactions. The company is now seeking a Senior Software Engineer specializing in Java to join its technology team in New York, NY. This full-time role offers the chance to shape the next generation of digital identity infrastructure.

In this capacity, you will take full ownership of complex technical challenges, driving projects from initial architectural design through to production deployment. CLEAR's engineering teams operate across three core pillars:
Core Identity, CLEAR1, and CLEAR Travel. Team matching occurs late in the interview process, ensuring your skills align optimally with business needs.

You will collaborate closely with Product, Design, Security, and Operations teams to translate business requirements into scalable, secure technical solutions. The current technology stack centers on Java, React, and Type Script, supported by cloud-native infrastructure.

• Full-Stack Development: Design, build, test, and deploy scalable applications that power CLEAR's identity ecosystem.
• End-to-End Project Ownership: Manage projects from technical discovery and architecture through implementation, rollout, and ongoing operational support.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with Product, Data, and Security teams to convert complex problems into simple, maintainable solutions.
• Engineering Excellence: Enhance system reliability, observability, and developer experience while contributing to broader architectural decisions.
• Mentorship: Elevate team capabilities through rigorous code reviews and the sharing of industry best practices.

• 6+ years of professional full-stack engineering experience using Java, React, and Type Script.
• Deep technical fundamentals spanning distributed systems, APIs, and cloud infrastructure.
• Proven experience operating cloud-native applications on AWS, with proficiency in Docker, Kubernetes, Git Hub, and CI/CD pipelines.
• A track record of driving complex, cross-functional projects from concept to production.
• Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to influence both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Comfort operating in ambiguous environments, making thoughtful tradeoffs, and independently driving work forward.

To stand out when applying for this position, candidates should emphasize specific full-stack architecture experience rather than simply listing technologies. Highlight instances where your Java backend work directly improved user experience in consumer-facing applications — CLEAR values engineers who understand how backend performance impacts millions of end users navigating airports or stadiums.

Include concrete examples of AWS infrastructure you have built or optimized. Demonstrating familiarity with high-throughput, secure transaction systems will strongly resonate, given CLEAR's identity verification focus. Showcase any experience with compliance-driven development, as consumer services in identity tech demand rigorous security standards.

Prepare for the technical screen by reviewing system design principles relevant to distributed identity systems. Be ready to discuss tradeoffs between eventual consistency and strong consistency, especially in scenarios involving real-time member verification across physical and digital touchpoints.

This role demands a builder mindset; candidates who can articulate how they have previously navigated ambiguous requirements to ship production code will have a distinct advantage. CLEAR's interview process typically completes within three weeks, proceeding from a recruiter call to a Zoom technical screen, an onsite panel, and final manager conversations.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or veteran status. CLEAR remains committed to a transparent hiring process, with all official communications originating from verified  email addresses or authenticated Linked In profiles.