Skills you need to be a java developer
10 skills a hiring manager would actually test for, each with the level this role expects and what it is used for. Not a syllabus — the shape of the job.
Build my path to this roleUpskili checks what you can already do, then sequences only what is missing. No account needed.
What the role requires
Ordered by how much the job depends on it. The bar is the proficiency expected of a competent java developer — not mastery, and not a passing acquaintance.
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Java
Essential
Writes, tests, and maintains backend services and APIs.
Strong -
Spring Boot
Essential
Builds and configures production microservices and REST APIs.
Strong -
SQL
Important
Designs queries, optimizes performance, and manages relational data.
Strong -
REST API design
Important
Designs and documents clear, versioned HTTP APIs for frontend and partners.
Strong -
Docker
Important
Packages and ships every service the team runs.
Strong -
Git
Important
Collaborates on code via branching, pull requests, and code reviews.
Strong -
JUnit & Mockito
Important
Writes unit and integration tests to maintain code quality.
Strong -
Kafka
Useful
Integrates services through asynchronous event-driven messaging.
Working -
CI/CD pipelines
Useful
Automates build, test, and deployment workflows.
Working -
AWS basics
Useful
Deploys and monitors services using cloud infrastructure.
Working
An order worth learning it in
A list of ten skills is the same unhelpful answer a catalogue gives, just sorted. This is where to actually start.
Start here
Essential to the role, and reachable from a standing start. Everything below rests on these.
- SQL
- REST API design
- Docker
- Git
- JUnit & Mockito
Then this
The rest of what the role is assessed on. Harder, and it builds on the foundation above.
- Java
- Spring Boot
What sets you apart
Not what gets you hired, but what separates doing the job from being trusted with it.
- Kafka
- CI/CD pipelines
- AWS basics
You almost certainly have some of this already.
That is the point of starting from the role rather than a course. Upskili checks what you can do, then builds a path across only the gap.
See my path to java developer