Top 10 Skills to Look For When Hiring Java Full-stack Developer in 2025

As employers are building tech teams, they are likely evaluating which programming languages provide the best strategic value. Java’s cross platform reliability makes it essential for IoT, web applications, mobile solutions and cloud development. But here is what hiring managers understand. The real value comes with Full-stack Java Developers who can effortlessly integrate entire technology stacks.

A skilled Full-stack Java developer is not just running code, they make strategic decisions that position the technology of the company for future business success and scalability.

Let us take a close look at the demand and top skills to look for when hiring a Java Full-stack developer.

What is the Demand for Java full-stack developers in 2025?

According to a recent index.dev report, Java still holds the 3rd position among the top widely used programming languages in the world with +1.79% surge, despite the competition from newer languages like Go and Kotlin. Java is popularly used in enterprise software, android development and backend systems.

Another 2024 survey from stackoverflow, reported that about 30% of respondents who are professional developers were using Java in the past year. Besides this, nearly 50% of developers prefer Java as a preferred programming language and 17.9% want to use it in the current year. These numbers indicate that Java remains a strong and stable choice, and demand is still steady backed by substantial adoption and developer interest.

How is AI Transforming Java full-stack Developer Roles?

AI is transforming the developer roles by shifting how and what developers spend their time on. Studies show tools like GitHub Copilot can elevate speed up developers tasks by 56%. A recent Atlassian study reported that developers can save over 10 hours by adopting GenAI. Although AI can improve pace on routine coding, complex tasks like architecture, debugging, integration still needs expertise of developers.

What Are The Skills To Look for  in Java Full-Stack Developer

Now that we know how AI is transforming Java full-stack developers, let’s take a closer look at the essential technical skills employers seek when hiring versatile Java developers who are capable of handling both front-end and backend development responsibilities with practical and theoretical knowledge. As this dual capability speeds up project delivery and removes co-ordination issues in the team.

Here are key skills that are ideal for Java full-stack developers:

Front-end languages, technologies and frameworks

Java is a general-purpose programming language that can be used for both front-end and back-end development. To gain greater success with the former, a Java full-stack developer should possess knowledge of the front-end programming languages that work with Java. 

HTML5 structures web content, while CSS3 and frameworks like Bootstrap control the design and layout for responsive mobile application experience. Additionally, they should also have hands-on knowledge of frameworks like Node.js, React.js, and Vue.js as they simplify the use of JavaScript to create rich and engaging applications.  Such front-end programming languages govern the overall look and feel of the software by influencing the user interface and user experience. Hence, they are vital skills to build a customer-centric solution.

Back-end technologies

While front-end development takes care of the visual appeal, the software solution should be as functional as it is aesthetic – and a Java full-stack developer should balance both.

Developers can help power the backend by using frameworks designed for modern application needs. Experience in tools like Spring Boot simplifies enterprise app development with built-in features for security, configuration and data handling. Familiarity with Django and Express.js are excellent for building efficient APIs, managing databases and simplifying backend.

Database management and web storage

Data is the heart of all operations. As such, a full-stack Java developer’s skills should cover database management and web storage. Effective database management involves arranging data logically to simplify data accessibility, management, control, and organization.

Your Java developers can achieve this feat using any of the popular database management systems (DBMS) such as: MySQL and PostgreSQL are great for managing structured data and complex queries. For projects that require real-time updates and flexible data models, MongoDB and Firebase are valuable choices. In addition to this, tools like IndexedDB and DOM web storage can improve app responsiveness by facilitating fast, offline data access right from the browser.

Version Control System

Full-stack developers of Java use Version Control Systems (VCS) to track changes. Doing so allows them to incorporate changes without breaking the source code. It also helps in testing and debugging functions. Java developers with hands-on experience on version control systems like Git, Subversion or Perforce are beneficial. Especially since, Git is widely used in Java projects and it supports branching and collaboration that forms the backbone of platforms like GitHub. Apart from this, familiarity with Subversion and Perforce are valuable for centralized and enterprise scale version control in large development teams.

DevOps and other tools

Although a Java full-stack developer can perform all the end-to-end development activities, they do not work in isolation. Whether it is collaborating with other technical teams or communicating progress with stakeholders, the Java full-stack developer skills required also fringe on embracing DevOps, especially for complex projects. Besides this, it is ideal to have experience with Docker, Kubernetes and Jenkins to simplify orchestration, containerization, and CI/CD automation. 

Proficiency in GitHub Copilot is beneficial for improving productivity through intelligent code assistance and AI assistance. In addition to this, familiarity with testing tools like JUnit, TestNG and Selenium with proficiency of REST/SOAP, APIs, JSON and agile practices equips Java developers to build scalable applications.

Kotlin

Kotlin is a modern statical programming language that runs on JVM and is fully interoperable with Java. It is specially designed for expressive, concise and safer code, perfect for android app development, backend services and cross platform applications with kotlin multiplatform. It will be beneficial if java developers have Kotlin familiarity or experience aligned with backend development expectations along with IntelliJ and Ktor for building coroutine based APIs and microservices in Java-Kotlin environments. Besides this, having experience in Android Studio for native app development using Jetpack Compose is great to have for full-stack java developer roles.

Design Patterns

Design patterns provide reusable, time-tested solutions to common software architecture issues across backend, frontend and multiple integration layers. The skills include becoming proficient in the selection of ideal patterns to significantly enhance scalability, modularity and maintainability in complex, cross-functional applications. 

Software Design and Architecture

Software design shapes the internal behaviour and structure of components. Whereas architecture defines system-wide data flow, scalability and integration. Java Full Stack developers should develop skills in architecture modeling to support maintainable code, predictive analytics workflows and scalable data pipelines in distributed environments

HTTP and REST

HTTP facilitates stateless communication across distributed systems, while REST offers a standard approach in designing scalable and modular APIs. Java Full Stack developers require proficiency in HTTP headers, RESTful techniques and API design principles used across Java, Go or R ecosystems. It will be ideal if developers are proficient in RESTful API testing and documentation using Postman and Swagger that enables seamless integration, automation and interactive client ready documentation across Flask, Go and Java.

JSP – Java Server Pages

JSP can generate dynamic HTML by using embedded Java code, processed server side for seamless client delivery. Full stack developers utilize JSP to connect with servlets, render views and manage backend data through JDBC. Java developers with skills in JSP development using Apache Tomcat for servlet handling and Eclipse IDE are preferred for building, debugging and handling full-stack Java EE applications.

Essential Soft Skills Required for Full-stack Developer

We have covered the top 10 skills employers look for full-stack developers, now besides this another essential aspect employers focus on is soft skills. Here are some of the key soft skills required for java developers that help accelerate growth.

Communication skills

Communication skills are classic must have for any role. The ability to articulate technical concepts clearly to both tech and non-tech stakeholders is a must have for seamless collaboration and co-ordination across teams.

Problem Solving Mindset

Strong analytical thinking and creativity to break down complex challenges into manageable components, find root causes and develop innovative solutions are crucial.

Critical Thinking

The ability to analyze various technical approaches objectively, make informed architectural decisions and question any assumptions and provide optimal solutions.

Adaptability and Learning Agility

The willingness to embrace new methodologies, technologies and frameworks while rapidly adapting to changing project requirements and emerging business needs. 

Initiative and Ownership

Proactive attitude towards identifying improvement opportunities, taking responsibility for deliverables and contributing to overall project success.

Mentoring and Knowledge sharing

The ability to guide junior developers, share expertise through documentation or presentations and contribute to teams collective learning and growth culture.

Apart from these soft skills, team collaboration, attention to detail, time management and prioritization are baseline expectations.

Key Takeaways

To sum up, a capable Java full-stack developer will possess the following:

• Knowledge of front-end languages and frameworks,
• Understanding of back-end technologies,
• Effective database management and web storage strategies,
• Ability to track and document changes; and
• Practical know-how of DevOps and other emerging development tools like LLM’s and Prompt Engineering.
• While we have largely focused on technical skills, a Java full-stack developer must also possess soft skills like effective communication skills, problem-solving capabilities, the ability to work in a team, efficient time management, and more.

Engage the Best of Java full-stack developers with Uplers

Finding such a full-stack developer in Java can be tough, but the outcome will be well worth the effort. Alternatively, you can skip the hassle of searching, vetting, and selecting the right candidate by finding one through us.

Get in touch with us to know how!