As a Principal Engineer, AI & Cloud-Native Applications, you will serve as a hands-on technical leader, spearheading the design, development, and implementation of cutting-edge application systems. You will drive innovation across data migrations and hybrid cloud environments (on-premise, AWS, GCP), leveraging your deep expertise in Java and Python, and engaging with emerging AI technologies.
Responsibilities:
- Lead the end-to-end design, development, and deployment of complex application systems and data solutions, with a strong emphasis on hands-on coding in Java and Python.
- Architect and implement robust data migration strategies, ensuring seamless and efficient transfer of data between diverse systems, including on-premise and public cloud platforms (AWS, GCP).
- Design, build, and optimize high-performance data pipelines and integration solutions spanning on-premise infrastructure, AWS, and GCP.
- Drive technical excellence in application development, embracing cloud-native principles and best practices for scalability, reliability, and security.
- Act as a subject matter expert in core technologies, providing technical guidance and mentorship to development teams.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define technical requirements, architectural patterns, and innovative solutions.
- Evaluate and integrate emerging AI technologies into application landscapes, contributing to the firm's AI strategy.
- Ensure solutions adhere to architectural blueprints, industry standards, and regulatory compliance, proactively managing technical risks.
Core Skills:
- Java, Python, RESTful APIs, KAFKA, Kubernetes, AWS (S3, and broader services for cloud infrastructure), GCP (BigQuery, and broader services for cloud infrastructure)
Desirable Skills:
- Foundational Models: Gemini, OpenAI, Claude, Llama, Local Models
- Generation: PostgreSQL, Vector DBs, Python, FastAPI, Async Programming
- Deployment: Docker, Production APIs, Monitoring
- Applied Methodology: Prompt Engineering
Qualifications:
- 6 - 10 years of hands-on experience in software development, with a significant focus on backend systems, data engineering, or cloud-native applications.
- Demonstrated expert-level proficiency in Java and Python.
- Proven experience in designing and implementing large-scale data migrations and building robust data pipelines across hybrid cloud environments (on-premise, AWS, GCP).
- Strong understanding of cloud infrastructure and services (AWS, GCP).
- Experience with containerization and orchestration technologies (Docker, Kubernetes).
- Familiarity with foundational AI models (Gemini, OpenAI, Claude, Llama) and prompt engineering concepts.
- Exceptional problem-solving abilities and a track record of delivering innovative technical solutions.
- Strong leadership skills, with the ability to mentor and guide engineering teams.
- Excellent communication skills, capable of articulating complex technical concepts to diverse audiences.
Education:
- Bachelor’s degree/University degree (or equivalent experience).
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Job Family Group: Technology------------------------------------------------------
Job Family:Applications Development------------------------------------------------------
Time Type:Full time------------------------------------------------------
Primary Location:Jersey City New Jersey United States------------------------------------------------------
Primary Location Full Time Salary Range:$142,320.00 - $213,480.00
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:Aug 12, 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 - 10 years hands-on experience in software development focused on backend systems, data engineering, or cloud-native applications
- Expert-level proficiency in Java and Python
- Proven experience designing and implementing large-scale data migrations and building robust data pipelines across hybrid cloud environments (on-premise, AWS, GCP)
- Strong understanding of cloud infrastructure and services (AWS, GCP)
- Experience with containerization and orchestration technologies (Docker, Kubernetes)
- Experience building and consuming RESTful APIs and working with Kafka
- Familiarity with foundational AI models and prompt engineering concepts
- Strong leadership skills with ability to mentor engineering teams and communicate complex technical concepts
- Bachelor's degree or university degree (or equivalent experience)
- Experience with monitoring and production API deployments
- Familiarity with specific models and tooling (Gemini, OpenAI, Claude, Llama, Local Models)
- Experience with PostgreSQL, Vector DBs, FastAPI, and async programming patterns
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 — Health coverage is presented as comprehensive, including free in-network preventive care, mental-health resources, and the Be Well Program. Materials also state new hires have access to health and insurance benefits from the outset.
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Retirement Support — The retirement plan offers a $1-for-$1 match up to 6% of eligible pay. New employees are eligible for the plan, with automatic enrollment after 90 days if they do not enroll themselves.
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Inclusive Benefits Coverage — Benefits highlight fertility treatment coverage, adoption/surrogacy reimbursement up to $30,000, and disability coverage. Coverage extends to spouses and domestic partners regardless of gender identity or sexuality, with gender-affirming care-related support noted.
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.
