We are looking for a Lead/Principal Java Spark Developer to spearhead the architectural vision and technical strategy for the transformation and modernization of Citi’s next-generation data processing platforms. This role is for a thought leader who is passionate about architecting and building highly scalable, resilient, and performant systems that solve complex business problems.
This leadership role is ideal for a seasoned expert who thrives on technical challenges, enjoys setting the technical direction, and is motivated to establish and evangelize engineering best practices across teams. While this is a strategic leadership position, it requires a significant hands-on contribution to coding, design, and implementation. You will be a key driver of innovation, responsible for architecting and delivering mission-critical, production-grade solutions, while mentoring teams to elevate the platform's performance, reliability, and development standards.
Responsibilities:
- Architectural Design: Define and drive the architectural vision and strategy for large-scale data processing platforms, ensuring alignment with business goals.
- Technical Leadership: Guide and mentor a team of developers, setting high standards for code quality and engineering excellence while fostering a culture of innovation.
- Hands-on Development: Actively participate in the coding, implementation, and peer review of complex modules and core framework components to lead by example.
- Strategic Solutioning: Translate complex business requirements into robust, secure, and efficient technical solutions, setting the standard for the engineering organization.
- Code Excellence: Champion and enforce best practices for writing modular, testable, and maintainable code, rooted in expert knowledge of OOP principles and design patterns.
- System Optimization: Lead efforts to continuously refactor and optimize applications for performance, scalability, and maintainability at an enterprise scale.
- High-Level Collaboration: Collaborate with senior stakeholders, product owners, and other technology leaders to define roadmaps and ensure high-quality delivery.
- Innovation: Drive the evaluation and adoption of new technologies and methodologies to keep the platform at the cutting edge.
- Influence and Leadership: Provide thought leadership and influence technical design and decisions across the organization.
Recommended Qualifications:
- 10+ years of hands-on experience in Big Data development, with expert-level proficiency in Java and Apache Spark.
- Domain Knowledge: Strong understanding of Funds Transfer Pricing (FTP) processes and financial systems is required.
- Expert-level knowledge of object-oriented programming, advanced design patterns, and clean coding practices.
- Proven track record of architecting, building, and optimizing large-scale, mission-critical distributed data processing systems.
- Extensive experience with REST APIs, RDBMS, and Kafka or similar messaging systems.
- Deep experience with microservices architecture and containerization technologies (Docker/Kubernetes).
- Significant experience working in and leading teams within Agile environments, demonstrating strong collaboration and ownership.
- Proven ability to lead technical teams and mentor engineers to achieve technical excellence.
- Extensive experience with Databricks is highly preferred.
- Deep familiarity and experience with building AI-powered solutions / AI agents.
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------------------------------------------------------
Most Relevant Skills Please see the requirements listed above.------------------------------------------------------
Other Relevant Skills For complementary skills, please see above and/or contact the recruiter.------------------------------------------------------
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Skills Required
- 10+ years of hands-on Big Data development experience
- Expert-level proficiency in Java and Apache Spark
- Strong understanding of Funds Transfer Pricing processes and financial systems
- Expert knowledge of object-oriented programming, advanced design patterns, and clean coding practices
- Experience architecting, building, and optimizing large-scale distributed data-processing systems
- Experience with REST APIs, RDBMS, and Kafka or similar messaging systems
- Deep experience with microservices architecture and Docker/Kubernetes
- Experience working in and leading Agile teams
- Ability to lead technical teams and mentor engineers
- Deep familiarity with building AI-powered solutions or AI agents
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience
- Master's degree
- Extensive experience with Databricks
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
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