Citi is looking for an experienced and visionary Java Backend Development Lead to spearhead the design, development, and deployment of our AI-powered platforms. The ideal candidate is a hands-on leader with a strong background in Java and a passion for artificial intelligence. You will lead a team of skilled engineers, architect scalable and resilient backend systems, and work closely with data scientists to integrate machine learning models that deliver unparalleled value to our users.
Key Responsibilities
- Team Leadership & Mentorship: Lead, manage, and mentor a team of backend developers in a fast-paced, Agile environment. Foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.
- Architectural Design: Architect and design robust, scalable, and high-performance backend services and APIs using Java, Spring Boot, and microservices principles. Ensure systems are secure, reliable, and ready for future growth.
- AI Integration: Collaborate with data scientists and machine learning engineers to seamlessly integrate and deploy AI/ML models into our production environment. Design APIs and data pipelines to support real-time inferencing and model retraining.
- Full-Lifecycle Development: Oversee the entire software development lifecycle, from requirements gathering and technical design to coding, testing, deployment, and maintenance.
- Code Quality & Best Practices: Champion and enforce best practices for code quality, unit testing, integration testing, and CI/CD. Conduct code reviews and provide constructive feedback to the team.
- Strategic Collaboration: Work closely with product managers, stakeholders, and other engineering teams to define technical requirements, set priorities, and ensure timely delivery of features.
- Innovation & Research: Stay current with emerging trends and technologies in backend development, artificial intelligence, and machine learning. Drive innovation by prototyping new ideas and evaluating new tools.
Required Qualifications
- 12 + years of professional experience in backend software development, with a strong command of Java.
- 8+ years of experience in a technical leadership or lead developer role, with a proven track record of successfully delivering complex projects.
- Extensive experience with the Spring Framework, particularly Spring Boot, for building microservices.
- Solid understanding of microservices architecture, containerization (Docker), and orchestration (Kubernetes).
- Proficient in designing and building RESTful APIs and event-driven systems.
- Strong experience with relational databases (e.g., PostgreSQL, MySQL) and NoSQL databases (e.g., MongoDB, Cassandra).
- Experience with message brokers such as Apache Kafka or RabbitMQ.
- Strong understanding of software development principles, design patterns, and Agile methodologies.
Preferred Qualifications
- Hands-on experience in developing applications that consume or interact with AI/ML models.
- Familiarity with cloud platforms (AWS, Google Cloud, or Azure) and their AI/ML services.
- Basic knowledge of Python and common machine learning libraries (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch, scikit-learn).
- Experience with MLOps principles and tools for model deployment and monitoring.
- Knowledge of data processing frameworks like Apache Spark or Apache Flink.
- Experience with search and analytics engines like Elasticsearch.
- Excellent problem-solving abilities and strong communication skills.
- A passion for building intelligent systems and a desire to make an impact.
- A Master's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related discipline.
- Experience working within large-scale or enterprise-grade technology environments, particularly in the financial services sector.
- Familiarity with architecture and infrastructure integration patterns that support enterprise application delivery at scale.
At Citi, you will work alongside skilled technologists on problems that matter at a global scale. This role offers the opportunity to own meaningful outcomes, develop your leadership capability, and grow within a high-performing technology environment that values expertise and collaboration.
- A hybrid working model with 3 days in the office and 2 days working
- remotely, supporting both collaboration and work-life balance.
- Strategic ownership and influence over technical direction, architecture decisions, and delivery outcomes at a senior level.
- Access to continuous learning and development resources, enabling you to deepen your technical expertise and leadership skills.
- Exposure to complex, large-scale technology challenges across a global organization, with real impact on business and client outcomes.
- Wellbeing support and financial benefits designed to provide long-term security and professional fulfilment.
- A collaborative, performance-driven team environment where technical excellence and accountability are recognized and rewarded.
Apply today to bring your technical leadership to Citi and help shape the systems that power one of the world's leading financial institutions.
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Job Family Group: Technology------------------------------------------------------
Job Family:Applications Development------------------------------------------------------
Time Type:Full time------------------------------------------------------
Most Relevant Skills Please see the requirements listed above.------------------------------------------------------
Other Relevant Skills For complementary skills, please see above and/or contact the recruiter.------------------------------------------------------
Citi is an equal opportunity employer, and qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law.
If you are a person with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation to use our search tools and/or apply for a career opportunity review Accessibility at Citi.
View Citi’s EEO Policy Statement and the Know Your Rights poster.
Skills Required
- 12+ years of professional experience in backend software development
- Strong command of Java
- 8+ years of experience in a technical leadership or lead developer role
- Proven track record of delivering complex projects
- Extensive experience with the Spring Framework, particularly Spring Boot
- Experience building microservices
- Understanding of microservices architecture
- Experience with Docker and Kubernetes
- Proficiency designing and building RESTful APIs
- Experience with event-driven systems
- Strong experience with relational databases such as PostgreSQL or MySQL
- Experience with NoSQL databases such as MongoDB or Cassandra
- Experience with message brokers such as Apache Kafka or RabbitMQ
- Strong understanding of software development principles and design patterns
- Experience with Agile methodologies
- Hands-on experience developing applications that consume or interact with AI/ML models
- Familiarity with AWS, Google Cloud, or Azure and their AI/ML services
- Basic knowledge of Python and machine learning libraries such as TensorFlow, PyTorch, or scikit-learn
- Experience with MLOps principles and model deployment and monitoring tools
- Knowledge of Apache Spark or Apache Flink
- Experience with Elasticsearch
- Excellent problem-solving and communication skills
- Master’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related discipline
- Experience in large-scale or enterprise-grade technology environments
- Experience in the financial services sector
- Familiarity with architecture and infrastructure integration patterns for enterprise application delivery at scale
Citi Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Citi and has not been reviewed or approved by Citi.
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Healthcare Strength — Benefits coverage is positioned as comprehensive, including health, dental, and vision insurance plus on-site clinics, prescription drug support, and disability coverage. Family-building support such as fertility assistance is described as a notable differentiator within the overall package.
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Retirement Support — Retirement benefits are framed as strong, highlighted by a 401(k) with matching and additional plan options like a Roth 401(k). Financial support is reinforced through discounts and broader financial guidance resources tied to the benefits ecosystem.
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Wellbeing & Lifestyle Benefits — Wellbeing support extends beyond insurance through programs like an Employee Assistance Program, counseling/legal resources, and gym or wellness reimbursement. These offerings increase the perceived total rewards value even when cash compensation sentiment varies by role.
Citi Insights
What We Do
Citi's mission is to serve as a trusted partner to our clients by responsibly providing financial services that enable growth and economic progress. Our core activities are safeguarding assets, lending money, making payments and accessing the capital markets on behalf of our clients. We have 200 years of experience helping our clients meet the world's toughest challenges and embrace its greatest opportunities. We are Citi, the global bank – an institution connecting millions of people across hundreds of countries and cities.
