The Java Software Applications Development Lead is a senior level position responsible for establishing and implementing new or revised application systems and programs in coordination with the Technology team. The overall objective of this role is to lead applications systems analysis and programming activities.
Responsibilities:
Lead the design and development of complex backend systems using Java, Spring, Spring Boot, and Spring Cloud technologies.
Architect and implement microservices-based solutions with a strong focus on scalability, reliability, and performance.
Strategically guide the integration and optimization of Oracle and MongoDB in high-performance environments.
Mentor junior developers and contribute significantly to a culture of continuous improvement.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define, design, and deliver new features.
Apply TDD and test-first development practices across all development stages.
Implement data access layers using Hibernate and JPA and manage caching using Redis or other caching frameworks.
Ensure high quality through effective code reviews, static code analysis, and performance optimization.
Design, implement, and manage container orchestration platforms, particularly OpenShift and Kubernetes.
Develop and maintain Helm charts for packaging and deploying applications across various environments.
Implement and manage CI/CD pipelines, including the use of deployment automation tools like Harness.
Collaborate with development teams to ensure applications are designed for scalability, reliability, and ease of deployment.
Automate infrastructure provisioning, configuration management, and application deployments.
Monitor system performance, troubleshoot issues, and ensure high availability of applications.
Implement and enforce best practices for Kubernetes manifests, including resource optimization, health checks (Readiness and Liveness probes), graceful shutdowns, and Pod Disruption Budgets (PDBs).
Contribute to the logging, monitoring, and tracing strategies for applications running on container platforms.
Appropriately assess risk when business decisions are made, demonstrating particular consideration for the firm's reputation and safeguarding Citigroup, its clients and assets, by driving compliance with applicable laws, rules and regulations, adhering to Policy, applying sound ethical judgment regarding personal behavior, conduct and business practices, and escalating, managing and reporting control issues with transparency.
Recommended Qualifications:
Experience: 6+ years of software development experience with a strong focus on Java.
Spring Ecosystem: Expert-level knowledge and proven experience in Spring Framework, Spring Boot, and Spring Cloud.
Microservices Architecture: Expert-level understanding and practical application of Microservices Architecture and best practices, including design patterns and advanced concepts.
Data Access & Databases: Expert-level proficiency in Hibernate, JPA, relational (Oracle), and NoSQL (MongoDB) databases, including complex query optimization and schema design.
Application Performance: Strong understanding and practical experience in application performance, monitoring, and optimization techniques, including troubleshooting and tuning.
Problem-Solving: Exceptional problem-solving skills and demonstrated ability to lead and resolve highly complex development challenges.
Proven experience with containerization technologies, including Docker.
Strong expertise in container orchestration platforms: OpenShift and Kubernetes.
Extensive experience with Helm for Kubernetes package management and chart development.
Experience with CI/CD tools, including Harness for deployment automation.
Understanding of Kubernetes best practices, including manifest optimization, health checks, labeling, and graceful termination.
Familiarity with secrets management using Kubernetes Secrets and/or HashiCorp Vault.
Experience with monitoring, logging, and tracing solutions for distributed systems.
Preferred Qualifications:
Knowledge of API Gateways, Service Discovery, and Distributed Tracing (e.g., Spring Cloud Gateway, Eureka, Zipkin).
Familiarity with containerization tools like Docker and orchestration with Kubernetes.
Experience with code quality tools (e.g., SonarQube, CheckStyle).
Understanding of security best practices for backend development (OAuth2, JWT, Spring Security).
Soft Skills
Collaboration: Proven leadership and team collaboration skills across multiple teams.
Communication & Stakeholder Management: Strong communication and stakeholder management, including business communication.
Technical Depth & Business Acumen: Ability to strategically balance technical depth with long-term business priorities.
Code Quality: Strong passion and advocacy for high-quality, clean, and maintainable code, driving best practices.
Education:
Bachelor’s degree/University degree or equivalent experience
Master’s degree preferred
This job description provides a high-level review of the types of work performed. Other job-related duties may be assigned as required.
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Job Family Group: Technology------------------------------------------------------
Job Family:Applications Development------------------------------------------------------
Time Type:Full time------------------------------------------------------
Primary Location:Irving Texas United States------------------------------------------------------
Primary Location Full Time Salary Range:$125,760.00 - $188,640.00
In addition to salary, Citi’s offerings may also include, for eligible employees, discretionary and formulaic incentive and retention awards. Citi offers competitive employee benefits, including: medical, dental & vision coverage; 401(k); life, accident, and disability insurance; and wellness programs. Citi also offers paid time off packages, including planned time off (vacation), unplanned time off (sick leave), and paid holidays. For additional information regarding Citi employee benefits, please visit citibenefits.com. Available offerings may vary by jurisdiction, job level, and date of hire.
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Most Relevant Skills Please see the requirements listed above.------------------------------------------------------
Other Relevant Skills For complementary skills, please see above and/or contact the recruiter.------------------------------------------------------
Anticipated Posting Close Date:Sep 27, 2026------------------------------------------------------
Automated Processing and AIWe use automated processing, including artificial intelligence, for our legitimate business interests (or our reasonable and appropriate business purposes) to identify and align the candidate's skills and abilities with a specific job opening. Additionally, if you so choose, or consent, we can match your skills and abilities to other suitable roles at Citi.
Importantly, all our hiring processes and decisions, including determining your suitability for a role, are conducted, checked, and decided by individuals. Our automated processing and AI do not involve relying on automatic or autonomous decision-making. Please refer to any Jurisdictional Considerations, with specific provisions for your country (where relevant) for further details.
Illinois residents – AI Notice and Right
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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
- 6+ years of software development experience with a strong focus on Java
- Expert knowledge of Spring Framework, Spring Boot, and Spring Cloud
- Expert understanding and practical application of microservices architecture and best practices
- Expert proficiency with Hibernate, JPA, Oracle, and MongoDB, including query optimization and schema design
- Experience with application performance monitoring, troubleshooting, and optimization
- Exceptional problem-solving skills and ability to resolve complex development challenges
- Experience with Docker and containerization technologies
- Strong expertise with OpenShift and Kubernetes
- Extensive experience developing Helm charts
- Experience with CI/CD tools, including Harness
- Understanding of Kubernetes manifest optimization, health checks, labeling, and graceful termination
- Familiarity with Kubernetes Secrets and/or HashiCorp Vault
- Experience with monitoring, logging, and tracing solutions for distributed systems
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience
- Master's degree
- Knowledge of API gateways, service discovery, and distributed tracing tools such as Spring Cloud Gateway, Eureka, and Zipkin
- Experience with code quality tools such as SonarQube and CheckStyle
- Understanding of OAuth2, JWT, and Spring Security
- Leadership, collaboration, communication, and stakeholder management skills
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.
