We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Principal Engineer to join our Retail and Wealth Risk Engineering team under the Enterprise Risk Technology platform. This is an intermediate-level position responsible for designing, building, and maintaining robust, scalable data pipelines and solutions that leverage cutting-edge Big Data, Databrick and AI technologies. The ideal candidate is a high-impact individual with a passion for data, analytics, and problem-solving. You will play a key role in driving business engagement and growth by building the next generation of data and analytics platforms.
Responsibilities
Design, develop, and maintain scalable, enterprise-grade ELT/ETL processes to handle large data volumes using the Spark and Databricks ecosystem.
Implement and optimize data pipelines for ingestion, cleansing, transformation, and loading into data warehouses, data lakes, and other data stores.
Build and maintain data federation layers for lambda and Data Mesh architectures using tools like Starburst, with a strategy for adopting AI-based use cases (e.g., machine learning, deep learning, NLP) to drive efficiency.
Develop, deploy, and automate microservice integrations to support data-intensive applications, ensuring scalability, resilience, and maintainability.
Integrate and leverage agentic AI tools (e.g., Devin.AI, Github Copilot) and platforms (e.g., MCP) through advanced prompt engineering to enhance development and operational efficiency.
Ensure data quality, integrity, and security throughout the entire data lifecycle.
Contribute to the continuous improvement of data engineering processes, standards, and best practices within the team.
Appropriately assess risk when business decisions are made, demonstrating consideration for the firm's reputation and safeguarding Citigroup, its clients, and assets by driving compliance with applicable laws, rules, and regulations. Adhere to Policy, apply sound ethical judgment, and escalate, manage, and report control issues with transparency.
Qualifications
Required:
8+ years of overall experience in large-scale application development.
Minimum of 5+ years of proven experience in a Data Engineering lead role focused on building enterprise-grade, high-volume ELT/ETL processes using the Spark and Databricks ecosystem.
Hands-on experience with agentic AI development, including Devin.AI or Github Copilot, and integrating models via platforms like MCP using advanced prompt engineering.
Proven experience developing and automating microservice integrations to support data-intensive applications.
Proficiency in at least one programming language commonly used for data engineering, such as Python, Java, or Scala.
Strong SQL skills and experience with various relational databases.
Deep understanding of data modeling, data warehousing concepts, Data Mesh architecture, and data federation.
Excellent communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills.
Preferred:
Experience with cloud-based Big Data platforms (e.g., Cloudera, Databricks, AWS, Azure, GCP).
Experience with frontend technologies such as Angular or React JS for building data-driven application interfaces.
Practical experience applying AI/ML techniques to solve real-world business problems.
Familiarity with containerization technologies (e.g., Docker, Kubernetes).
Experience in data engineering within the banking retail products domain (e.g., Cards, Mortgage, Deposits, Wealth Management).
Relevant industry certifications (e.g., AWS Certified Big Data - Specialty, Azure Data Engineer Associate).
Education
Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field.
Master’s degree is a plus.
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Job Family Group: Technology------------------------------------------------------
Job Family:Applications Development------------------------------------------------------
Time Type:Full time------------------------------------------------------
Primary Location:Rutherford New Jersey United States------------------------------------------------------
Primary Location Full Time Salary Range:$121 200,00 - $181 800,00
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:may 28, 2026------------------------------------------------------
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
- 8+ years of overall experience in large-scale application development.
- 5+ years of proven experience in a Data Engineering lead role.
- Hands-on experience with agentic AI development.
- Proficiency in at least one programming language for data engineering.
- Strong SQL skills and experience with relational databases.
- Deep understanding of data modeling and data warehousing concepts.
- Excellent communication, collaboration, and problem-solving 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.
