Software Developer (Java) - UAE Nationals

Job Description

Job Purpose

To contribute to the development of next-generation Air Traffic Flow Management (ATFM) solutions within the UAE's ATM Innovation Lab in Abu Dhabi. The role involves working in an agile squad alongside industry experts to design, develop, and enhance ATFM services and software components that support efficient air traffic flow, improve coordination between aviation stakeholders, and help build sovereign ATM software capabilities in the UAE

• As a Software Developer in the ATFM squad, you will work hands-on in an agile team and contribute to designing and developing ATFM services and components alongside Thales experts, using a collaborative engineering environment.
• Develop & enhance ATFM software features as part of an agile squad delivering iterative innovation cycles (from concept framing to MVPs and incremental releases).
• Develop backend services and components in a service-oriented / microservices style (e.g., Java-based services, REST APIs), contributing to solution design with the Product Owner and technical leads.
• Contribute to rich web interfaces for operational users (modern JavaScript/HTML5/CSS3 with a mainstream framework such as Angular/Vue/React).
• Work in a DevOps/CI environment: source control, code quality, automated builds and pipelines, and team delivery tools (e.g., Git, Jira, Jenkins, Sonar, Artifactory).
• Own your code end-to-end: implement best practices (including test-driven approaches), review/merge changes, and support deployment activities in Linux/containerized environments.
• Produce clear technical documentation (e.g., software requirements, low-level designs, interface documents, how-to guides) and contribute to engineering discipline and standards.
• Learn ATFM product context and engineering practices through structured onboarding and upskilling supported by Thales as part of the Lab's knowledge-transfer model.
• Operate within security and confidentiality constraints required for the lab environment (including compliance expectations referenced in the project agreements).

Educational Qualification

Bachelor's degree (or higher) in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related engineering discipline

Experience:

• 2-5 years of software development experience (UAE National)
• Comfortable in an agile, collaborative environment, proactive, open to change, and eager to continuously learn and improve.
• Able to communicate clearly in English, including technical writing

Special Technical Skills:

• Java development fundamentals and object-oriented design; familiarity with REST services and modern architectural patterns (SOA/microservices).
• Web development basics: JavaScript + HTML5/CSS3; exposure to at least one framework (Angular/Vue/React).
• Linux + SQL/Databases (ability to work comfortably in Linux environments and query relational databases).
• Exposure to DevOps tools and agile ways of working (Git, CI pipelines, issue tracking, code quality tools).
• Containers and deployment basics (Docker; scripting).
• Additional languages (Python/C/C++).
• Interest or exposure to aviation/ATM/ATFM domains (not required, but a plus).