NextAmp · 14 hours ago
Java Engineering Coach – Pair Programming & GitHub Copilot
Webster, MA
Contract
Hybrid
Senior Level
5+ years expNextAmp LLC is a digital modernization services company focused on transforming the insurance industry. They are seeking a hands-on Pair Programming Coach to help a Java engineering team adopt GitHub Copilot effectively. The role involves coaching engineers, establishing standards for Copilot usage, and driving measurable improvements in delivery speed and code quality.
Computer Software
Responsibilities
Coach by pairing (core)
Pair program daily with engineers (and run occasional mob sessions) to deliver real backlog items using Copilot in the loop
Model the full “Copilot-native” workflow: clarify intent → set context → generate/draft → refine → validate with tests → ship
Improve PR quality through smaller diffs, clearer intent, better naming, and fewer review cycles
Establish a Copilot operating standard for the team
Define practical “how we use Copilot here” standards: what’s allowed, what’s discouraged, and what must be verified
Teach repeatable Copilot workflows across:
IDE completions and inline suggestions
Copilot Chat for planning, refactors, and debugging
Prompt patterns that produce reliable, reviewable output
Implement stop rules and guardrails: secure coding expectations, sensitive data handling, and “don’t trust—verify” defaults
Build a reusable prompt + pattern library (leave-behind)
Create a team-ready library of Copilot prompts and examples grounded in the codebase, such as:
Adding a new endpoint/service cleanly
Refactoring legacy code safely
Implementing validation and error handling
Working with auth/roles/permissions
Mapping/transformation patterns and DTO strategies
Configuration and environment wiring
Package these as copy/paste templates engineers can apply immediately
Add code + API testing automation using Copilot
Build “test acceleration” workflows the team can rely on, including:
Unit tests with meaningful assertions, edge cases, and clear structure
Integration tests (Spring Boot slices or equivalent) with deterministic setup/teardown
API tests that validate request/response contracts, auth behavior, negative paths, and error semantics
Enforce verification discipline so Copilot-generated tests aren’t superficial:
Assertions that prove behavior (not just line coverage)
Negative-path coverage as a default expectation
Determinism checks to prevent flakes
Clear merge gates (what must pass before approval)
Drive measurable improvement (without making it heavy)
Establish a baseline and track outcomes like:
PR cycle time and review churn
Defects/rework tied to missed edge cases
Test quality improvement (coverage depth, edge-case breadth, reduced regressions)
Adoption of the team’s Copilot workflows and templates
Run a lightweight feedback loop to refine the operating standard and prompt library based on what actually works
Qualification
Required
5+ years of software engineering experience; strong Java required (Spring Boot or similar preferred)
Demonstrated experience pairing or coaching engineers in real delivery environments
Hands-on experience using GitHub Copilot within a production codebase
Strong fundamentals: refactoring, test design, debugging, code review, and engineering quality gates
Comfortable operating with enterprise security and governance expectations
Company
NextAmp
Building AI-Driven, Digital-First Enterprises.
11-50 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Early StageCompany data provided by crunchbase