Software Engineer (AD5) - European Union Agency for the Operational Management of Large-Scale IT Systems (AD5, Tallinn)

About this position

The summary below is published by European Union Agency for the Operational Management of Large-Scale IT Systems on the official vacancy notice. Our own analysis — salary realism, comparable openings, career trajectory, language profile — follows further down the page.

Key responsibilities

According to the vacancy notice, the role centres on the following duties:

• Analyse business, functional and technical requirements and translate them into technical solutions and software designs
• Design, develop and maintain Java-based backend applications and services within distributed and microservices-oriented environments
• Act as a technical lead for software development activities, providing guidance, mentoring and technical oversight to development teams and external contractors
• Design and implement APIs, event-driven architectures and messaging solutions supporting highly available and mission-critical services
• Promote software engineering best practices across the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC), including design, development, testing, deployment and maintenance
• Review technical solutions, software designs and code to ensure compliance with quality, security, performance and scalability requirements
• Collaborate with architects, business stakeholders, project managers and infrastructure teams, while supporting the resolution of complex technical issues and evaluating emerging technologies

Are you eligible?

Check these requirements from the notice before investing time in an application:

• Education: University degree in Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Informatics, or a related technical discipline such as Mathematics, Physics, Engineering, or a comparable field
• Experience: Extensive professional experience with the duties mentioned; Experience providing technical leadership to software development teams and/or external contractors, including coordination, mentoring and oversight of technical deliverables; Proven professional experience in Java backend software development, including the design, development and maintenance of enterprise-level applications and servic…
• Languages: EU official language (C1), EU official language (B2), English (C1)
• Key skills: Java backend software development, Technical leadership, Software architecture and design, API design and implementation, Event-driven architectures, Messaging solutions, Distributed systems, Microservices, Code review, Ability to analyse and resolve complex technical challenges
• Eligibility: National of one of the EU Member States or Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, or Switzerland and enjoy full rights as a citizen; Produce appropriate character requirements for the duties involved; Physically fit to perform duties; Fulfilled any obligations imposed by laws concerning military service; SECRET UE/EU SECRET security clearance required

Selection process

The notice describes the following selection steps:

• Assessment against professional experience and knowledge criteria
• Assessment against education criteria
• Assessment against personal competencies criteria

Contract and working arrangements

Contract duration: Initial contract of 5 years subject to renewal.

Working arrangements: Hybrid working arrangements – Permanent relocation required to Strasbourg (France); Teleworking from place of employment and office presence within hybrid working arrangements; Up to 10 days per year teleworking from outside place of employment.

Hiring unit: Technology and Software Engineering Unit (TSU), Software Development Sector.

Position details

Reference

234

Last Verified

26 October 2026

Position overview

This is the official EU Careers listing for Software Engineer (AD5) at eu-LISA based in Tallinn at the AD5 grade level (Temporary Agent). The vacancy reference is 234.

About the unit

The Technology and Software Engineering Unit (TSU) is responsible for overseeing the successful technical implementation of all core IT business systems and solutions managed by eu-LISA. TSU contributes to the 1 Date of publication: 26 October 2026

Sector and Unit Software Development Sector / Technology and Software Engineering Unit

Contract Duration Initial contract of 5 years subject to renewal

Function Group/Grade AD5 (Temporary Staff)

Place of Employment Strasbourg (France)

Working model Hybrid working arrangements – Permanent relocation required

Level of Security Clearance SECRET UE/EU SECRET

Deadline for Application 30 November 2026 1 12:59 pm Tallinn time / 11:59 am Strasbourg time

Validity of the Reserve List 31 December 2029

VACANCY NOTICE – Software Engineer (AD5)

Ref. eu-LISA/26/TA/AD5/17.1 2

European Union Agency for the Operational Management of Large-Scale IT Systems in the Area of Freedom, Security and Justice Vesilennuki 5, 10415 Tallinn, Estonia

www.eulisa.europa.eu

technical delivery of large-scale IT development projects by providing subject matter expertise and hands-on capabilities in the following engineering domains: system and solution architecture, software development and design, DevOps, testing and quality assurance. To that end, TSU provides a detailed framework, guidance as well as hands-on expertise on building large-scale IT systems and solutions, while also ensuring the software quality of those systems. To ensure that all new systems and releases are fit for purpose and in compliance with relevant quality expectations, TSU oversees comprehensive testing for software solutions and integrating services for all IT systems delivered for the EU’s Justice and Home Affairs (JHA) community.

About the job

eu-LISA aims to establish a reserve list from which to source the best talent. Working under the supervision of the Head of the Software Development Sector and reporting to the Head of the Technology and Software Engineering Unit, you will support eu-LISA’s mandate and ensure that the Agency achieves its objectives, enhances its reputation, and answers stakeholders’ needs. In this role, you will act as a senior software engineer with strong Java backend development expertise, combining hands-on technical contribution with technical leadership responsibilities. You will contribute to the design and implementation of complex distributed systems while providing guidance to software development teams and contractors. The position requires solid experience across the full Software Development Life Cycle and the ability to operate effectively at the intersection of software architecture and software development, ensuring that architectural concepts are translated into practical, scalable and maintainable solutions. The successful candidate will be expected to perform a wide range of duties, including but not limited to:

 Analyse business, functional and technical requirements and translate them into technical solutions and software designs.

 Design, develop and maintain Java-based backend applications and services within distributed and microservices-oriented environments.

 Act as a technical lead for software development activities, providing guidance, mentoring and technical oversight to development teams and external contractors.

 Design and implement APIs, event-driven architectures and messaging solutions supporting highly available and mission-critical services.

 Promote software engineering best practices across the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC), including design, development, testing, deployment and maintenance.

 Review technical solutions, software designs and code to ensure compliance with quality, security, performance and scalability requirements.

 Collaborate with architects, business stakeholders, project managers and infrastructure teams, while supporting the resolution of complex technical issues and evaluating emerging technologies. 3

www.eulisa.europa.eu Eligibility criteria

To be eligible for recruitment and selection, you need to meet the following formal criteria, which need to be fulfilled by the deadline for application:

General conditions

1. You are national of one of the EU Member States or Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, or Switzerland and you enjoy full rights as a citizen 2;2. You produce the appropriate character requirements for the duties involved; 3. You are physically fit to perform your duties 3;4. You have fulfilled any obligations imposed on you by the laws concerning military service.

Education

5. You have a level of education which corresponds to completed university studies attested by a diploma provided that the normal period of university education is three years or more Only qualifications awarded in an EU Member State or that are subject to an equivalence certificate issued by an authority in a said EU Member State shall be taken into consideration.

Language

6. You have a thorough knowledge (C1 level) of one of the 24 EU official languages and a satisfactory knowledge (B2 level) of another EU official language for the performance of your duties.

Selection Criteria

eu-LISA aims to establish a reserve list from which to source the best talent. The suitability of candidates will be assessed against the following criteria during different stages of the selection procedure:

Professional experience and knowledge

1. Extensive professional experience with the duties mentioned under Section “About the Job”; 2. Experience providing technical leadership to software development teams and / or external contractors, including coordination, mentoring and oversight of technical deliverables; 3. Proven professional experience in Java backend software development, including the design, development and maintenance of enterprise-level applications and services involving the following technologies: GitHub, Spring Boot, gRPC, Kafka and PostgreSQL; 4. Demonstrated experience across the full Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC), including requirements analysis, solution design, development, testing, deployment and maintenance; 2 Prior to an appointment, the successful candidate will be requested to provide a certificate of absence of any criminal record issued by the competent authority. 3 Prior to an appointment, the successful candidate shall be medically examined by a selected medical service in order that the Agency may be satisfied that they fulfil the requirement of Article 82 (3)d of the Conditions of employment of other servants of the European Communities. 4

www.eulisa.europa.eu Education

5. A university degree in Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Informatics, or a related technical discipline such as Mathematics, Physics, Engineering, or a comparable field.

Personal competencies

6. Ability to act upon eu-LISA’s values and guiding principles (We get the job done - We take ownership -We are all role models - We act together as one). 7. Ability to work effectively and independently in a fast-paced environment and manage multiple priorities; 8. Ability to analyse and resolve complex technical challenges.

9. Strong drafting and communication skills in English, both orally and in writing, at least at the C1 4 level.

Advantageous

10. Experience with cloud environments (such as Microsoft Azure) and/or containerisation, preferably Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform – OCP. 4 Cf. Language levels of the Common European Framework of reference: http://europass.cedefop.europa.eu/en/resources/european-language-levels-cefr 5

www.eulisa.europa.eu What we offer Competitive salary package composed of a basic salary and various allowances :

 eu-LISA offers a competitive salary package. To begin with, the salary is determined by the grade for which you have applied. In addition, your future salary is based on the total number of years of professional experience and adjusted to the cost of living in your place of employment.

 Depending on your individual and family situation, you may be eligible for various allowances such as expatriation, installation and household allowance, dependent child, or education allowance, ensuring your financial comfort. It is important to note that salaries are exempt from national taxation, as they are subject to a tax raised by the EU.

Additional benefits : Your health and safety are our priority. We offer a wide range of additional benefits such as health insurance, including sickness and accident insurance, hospitalisation, dental care, and preventive medicine coverage. If you desire, your family members can be covered as well. In addition, we provide a generous EU pension scheme (defined benefit plan) that becomes available after completing 10 years of service within EU Institutions/Agencies or upon reaching the pensionable age from the EU pension scheme, to which both the Agency and you make monthly contributions.

Mental Health and Well-being Program-me : Our comprehensive programme prioritises a healthy work-life balance, including amongst other reimbursements for health and fitness activities. Staff can also benefit from on-site gym facilities in both Strasbourg and Tallinn, as well as sauna facilities available in the Tallinn office.

Training and Development Opportunities :We invest in your professional development and personal growth. You will have access to a wide range of training programmes and learning resources.

Flexible Work Arrangements : While you will be required to relocate permanently to the place of employment or its surrounding areas, you can enjoy a healthy balance between teleworking from this place and office presence within our hybrid working arrangements. Additionally, you can telework from outside of your place of employment for up to 10 days per year.

Salary at this grade

Basic monthly salary at AD5 runs from €6,153 (step 1) to €6,961 (top step), giving an annual range of roughly €73,836 to €83,532 before tax and allowances. Steps increase automatically every two years; the figures here are taken from the salary grid in the EU Staff Regulations.

Eligible staff posted away from their country of nationality also receive an expatriation allowance worth 16% of basic salary (around €984 per month at step 1 of AD5) together with household, dependent-child, and education allowances where applicable. Take-home pay is then adjusted by the country correction coefficient for Tallinn. For a worked example see our correction coefficients guide and the EU salaries overview.

Application timeline

This vacancy was first listed on 26 October 2026, today.

The application deadline is 30 November 2026, 33 days from today. Late applications are not accepted, so submit through the official EU Careers portal well in advance.

Last verified against the EU Careers feed on 26 October 2026.

Where to learn more

For full responsibilities, requirements, and career progression at AD5 see our AD5 grade page; for headcount, mission, and other open vacancies at eu-LISA see the eu-LISA institution page; for the cost of living, correction coefficient, and other postings in Tallinn see our Tallinn location page.

New to EU careers? Our beginner's guide walks through entry routes, EPSO competitions, and what to prepare. For application logistics see application tips and EPSO competitions.