Citi is hiring a Senior Lead Software Engineer to architect and deliver mission-critical applications within its global Securities Finance technology function. This role sits at the intersection of engineering leadership and domain expertise, giving you direct ownership over systems that power complex financial workflows across custody, funds, and securities finance operations worldwide. You will set technical direction, lead a team of engineers and analysts, and build scalable solutions that meet both business and regulatory demands.
Responsibilities
Architect and build end-to-end software solutions for securities finance applications using Java, Spring Boot, and microservice patterns, owning delivery from design through production deployment.
Design scalable, resilient services and system integrations across complex upstream, downstream, and partner system dependencies that are central to financial operations.
Analyse intricate financial business processes and translate them into clearly defined technical specifications and robust software implementations.
Define and enforce engineering standards covering code quality, system design, testing practices, and implementation methodology across the team.
Lead, mentor, and allocate work across a team of software engineers and analysts, building technical capability and maintaining delivery momentum.
Collaborate with senior stakeholders and end users to capture system requirements and incorporate them into cohesive architectural designs.
Identify and manage technical and regulatory risk within application systems, ensuring adherence to data governance policies and compliance requirements.
Embed AI coding tools and Agile engineering practices into team workflows to accelerate delivery and sustain engineering quality at scale.
Required Qualifications & Skills
10 or more years of software engineering experience, with demonstrated leadership of application development programmes in financial services environments.
Deep expertise in Core Java, Java EE, Spring, Spring Boot, Hibernate, PL/SQL, RESTful API development, and Unix scripting, with the ability to architect services, not just implement them.
Practical experience designing and deploying microservice architectures using Docker, Kubernetes, and containerisation platforms at enterprise scale.
Proficiency in Oracle and MSSQL relational databases, including the ability to write and optimise complex SQL queries to support high-volume financial applications.
Hands-on experience with event-driven messaging systems including Kafka and MQ Series, and version control workflows using GitHub.
Solid grounding in data governance, data modelling, enterprise data architecture, and regulatory compliance requirements for financial data.
Experience working in Agile and Scrum delivery environments, managing cross-functional workstreams and multiple concurrent project commitments.
Expertise in data profiling and data mapping tools to support integration and data quality initiatives across complex system landscapes.
Hands-on experience using AI coding assistants such as GitHub Copilot, Devin, Cursor, Windsurf, or Claude to accelerate engineering output.
Exceptional stakeholder management and communication skills, with confidence engaging senior leadership and cross-functional teams.
Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline or equivalent professional experience.
Beneficial Skills & Qualifications
Deep knowledge of Custody, Funds, or Securities Finance operations provides a significant advantage in understanding the business context this role supports.
Familiarity with securities master data, market data, and the systems underpinning financial markets trading, middle office, or back office functions strengthens a candidate's fit for this role.
An understanding of Financial Markets workflows and how technology supports front-to-back office processes is a meaningful differentiator.
A Master's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related discipline is an advantage.
What We Offer
At Citi, you will take on genuine architectural ownership within a high-performing global engineering team building systems that underpin some of the world's most complex financial operations. This is a senior role where your technical decisions carry real weight, your leadership shapes the team, and your engineering work has measurable impact across global markets.
Hybrid working arrangement with 3 days in the office and 2 days working remotely, supporting both structured collaboration and individual focus time.
Full architectural ownership of critical securities finance applications, giving you the latitude to design, decide, and deliver at a level that matters.
Access to the latest AI coding tools and a team environment that actively embeds modern engineering practices into everyday delivery.
Learning and development resources to deepen technical expertise across securities finance, data architecture, and emerging software technologies.
The opportunity to lead and grow a team of engineers, expanding your leadership impact within a global technology organisation operating across major financial markets.
Comprehensive wellbeing support, financial benefits, and a total rewards package aligned to the seniority and strategic scope of this role.
Apply now to join Citi's Securities Finance engineering team and take ownership of the systems that keep global financial operations running at scale.
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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:$176,720.00 - $265,080.00
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 10, 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
- 10 or more years of software engineering experience
- Leadership of application development programs in financial services environments
- Expertise in Core Java, Java EE, Spring, Spring Boot, Hibernate, PL/SQL, RESTful API development, and Unix scripting
- Experience architecting and deploying enterprise-scale microservice architectures using Docker, Kubernetes, and containerization platforms
- Proficiency with Oracle and Microsoft SQL Server relational databases, including complex SQL query optimization
- Experience with Kafka and MQ Series event-driven messaging systems
- Experience with GitHub version control workflows
- Knowledge of data governance, data modeling, enterprise data architecture, and regulatory compliance for financial data
- Experience in Agile and Scrum delivery environments
- Experience managing cross-functional workstreams and multiple concurrent project commitments
- Expertise with data profiling and data mapping tools
- Hands-on experience with AI coding assistants such as GitHub Copilot, Devin, Cursor, Windsurf, or Claude
- Exceptional stakeholder management and communication skills
- Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline or equivalent professional experience
- Knowledge of Custody, Funds, or Securities Finance operations
- Familiarity with securities master data, market data, and financial markets trading, middle-office, or back-office systems
- Understanding of financial markets workflows and front-to-back office processes
- Master's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related discipline
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.
