A national Schengen information exchange is carrying live, mission-critical alerts between member states while still relying on legacy integrations and a complex messaging backbone. As Developer NSIS you will use Java and OpenMQ to stabilise and evolve that stack, converting brittle interfaces into reliable, protocol-compliant services.
The Mission
This programme runs the national node that handles Schengen information exchanges, connecting many internal applications and federal systems to the central Schengen network. The technical landscape combines Java backend services, OpenMQ messaging, PostgreSQL databases, Angular front-ends, PHP components, Linux servers, and Maven builds orchestrated in GitLab. High availability and strict compliance with the Schengen protocol make every change sensitive and visible.
You will own development and integration of key technological components, the implementation and maintenance of databases, and rapid prototyping to reduce operational risk. You will assist test programmes, produce clear technical documentation and runbooks, configure systems for deployment, and represent the team in project and user-group meetings. The role sits in a multidisciplinary Agile team of internal and external engineers and includes participation in an on-call rotation with potential rapid on-site intervention.
Your Responsibilities
- Design and deliver resilient Java services that implement Schengen protocol logic and exchange messages reliably via OpenMQ.
- Maintain and optimise PostgreSQL schemas and queries to protect data integrity and speed up live lookups.
- Integrate Angular front-ends and legacy PHP systems with backend services, ensuring end-to-end contracts and reliable user flows.
- Automate build and release pipelines using GitLab and Maven to shorten deployment cycles and reduce incidents.
- Prototype new solutions and validate through test programmes, then convert proofs of concept into production-ready components.
- Provide 24/7 operational support, respond to incidents with rapid on-site intervention when required, and lead post-incident reviews and corrective actions.
Your Profile
Essential Skills
- Senior track record delivering production software in Java, including message-driven architectures using OpenMQ or other JMS implementations.
- Hands-on experience with PostgreSQL administration, query optimisation and schema migrations.
- Practical experience integrating Angular and JavaScript front-ends with backend APIs.
- Comfortable in Linux environments, with Maven build systems and Git plus GitLab CI/CD pipelines.
- Experience with PHP application environments and integrating heterogeneous stacks.
- Clear understanding of Schengen information exchanges, the Schengen Protocol and eu-LISA tools and procedures.
- Proven experience working in Agile teams, producing technical documentation and supporting structured test campaigns.
Languages
- French: B2
- Dutch: B2
- English: B2