Java Backend Development Lead - AI-Powered Applications

Citi is looking for an experienced and visionary Java Backend Development Lead to spearhead the design, development, and deployment of our AI-powered platforms. The ideal candidate is a hands-on leader with a strong background in Java and a passion for artificial intelligence. You will lead a team of skilled engineers, architect scalable and resilient backend systems, and work closely with data scientists to integrate machine learning models that deliver unparalleled value to our users.

Team Leadership & Mentorship: Lead, manage, and mentor a team of backend developers in a fast-paced, Agile environment. Foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement. Architectural Design: Architect and design robust, scalable, and high-performance backend services and APIs using Java, Spring Boot, and microservices principles. Ensure systems are secure, reliable, and ready for future growth. AI Integration: Collaborate with data scientists and machine learning engineers to seamlessly integrate and deploy AI/ML models into our production environment. Design APIs and data pipelines to support real-time inferencing and model retraining. Full-Lifecycle Development: Oversee the entire software development lifecycle, from requirements gathering and technical design to coding, testing, deployment, and maintenance. Code Quality & Best Practices: Champion and enforce best practices for code quality, unit testing, integration testing, and CI/CD. Conduct code reviews and provide constructive feedback to the team. Strategic Collaboration: Work closely with product managers, stakeholders, and other engineering teams to define technical requirements, set priorities, and ensure timely delivery of features. Innovation & Research: Stay current with emerging trends and technologies in backend development, artificial intelligence, and machine learning. Drive innovation by prototyping new ideas and evaluating new tools.

12 + years of professional experience in backend software development, with a strong command of Java. 8+ years of experience in a technical leadership or lead developer role, with a proven track record of successfully delivering complex projects. Extensive experience with the Spring Framework, particularly Spring Boot, for building microservices. Solid understanding of microservices architecture, containerization (Docker), and orchestration (Kubernetes). Proficient in designing and building RESTful APIs and event-driven systems. Strong experience with relational databases (e.g., PostgreSQL, MySQL) and NoSQL databases (e.g., MongoDB, Cassandra). Experience with message brokers such as Apache Kafka or RabbitMQ. Strong understanding of software development principles, design patterns, and Agile methodologies.

Hands-on experience in developing applications that consume or interact with AI/ML models. Familiarity with cloud platforms (AWS, Google Cloud, or Azure) and their AI/ML services. Basic knowledge of Python and common machine learning libraries (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch, scikit-learn). Experience with MLOps principles and tools for model deployment and monitoring. Knowledge of data processing frameworks like Apache Spark or Apache Flink. Experience with search and analytics engines like Elasticsearch. Excellent problem-solving abilities and strong communication skills. A passion for building intelligent systems and a desire to make an impact. Beneficial Skills & Qualifications A Master's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related discipline. Experience working within large-scale or enterprise-grade technology environments, particularly in the financial services sector. Familiarity with architecture and infrastructure integration patterns that support enterprise application delivery at scale.

At Citi, you will work alongside skilled technologists on problems that matter at a global scale. This role offers the