Principal Generative AI Software Engineer - SVP

Citigroup Inc.; London; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading financial institution seeks skilled engineers to join their Tech Strategy Team in London. Candidates will focus on developing AI-driven applications and backend services using cutting-edge tools like Java and Python, while collaborating with top talent in a hybrid work environment. Besides, Citi Offers an exceptional benefits package, including generous annual leave and performance bonuses.

Benefits

27 days annual leave (plus bank holidays)

Discretional annual performance-related bonus

Private Medical Care & Life Insurance

Employee Assistance Program

Pension Plan

Paid Parental Leave

Special discounts for employees, family, and friends

Qualifications

• Proficiency in Java or Python for backend development is crucial.
• Experience in AI-powered systems and building high-performance APIs required.
• Knowledge of Spring Boot, Flask, and Kubernetes is a must.

Responsibilities

• Develop AI-driven applications using Java and Python.
• Integrate LLMs into enterprise-scale systems using internal frameworks.
• Design and implement vector search solutions with FAISS, Milvus, Pinecone.

Skills

Java

Python

API design

Kubernetes

Docker

Spring Boot

Flask

Vector search frameworks

Tools

Maven

Gradle

Job description

We are Citi’s Markets team—a group of passionate and talented engineers, product managers, and tech specialists transforming ambiguous ideas into cutting-edge, scalable products. We specialize in Generative AI, backend engineering, and cloud-native architectures to develop mission-critical systems at a global scale. Our team is at the forefront of innovative AI-powered applications, large-scale infrastructure, and modern backend development using Java, Python, Golang, Spring Boot, Flask, and Kubernetes. We focus on integrating RAG-powered LLMs, implementing advanced vector search (FAISS, Milvus, Pinecone), and building scalable and high-performance AI-driven solutions.

You Might Be a Good Fit If You:

• Have deep hands-on software engineering expertise in Java or Python
• Thrive in a results-driven, flexible environment
• Have experience with backend development for AI-powered systems
• Enjoy building high-performance APIs using Spring Boot, Flask
• Want to develop AI-powered applications leveraging RAG frameworks, Vector and Similarity search
• Have experience with Maven or Gradle for Java project dependency management
• Understand security best practices (Spring Security, SSO, authentication protocols)
• Are comfortable working with Kubernetes, Docker, and cloud-native architectures

What You’ll Do as Part of the Tech Strategy Team:

• Develop AI-driven applications using Java, Python, and modern backend frameworks
• Integrate LLMs into enterprise-scale systems using internal frameworks and libraries
• Design and implement vector search solutions using FAISS, Milvus, and Pinecone
• Build scalable APIs and backend services using Spring Boot, Flask, and FastAPI
• Optimize data storage and retrieval with PostgreSQL/MongoDB and distributed databases
• Deploy and manage cloud-native applications using Kubernetes and Docker
• Implement security best practices with Spring Security and SSO
• Leverage Maven or Gradle for efficient Java project build and dependency management
• Mentor and support fellow engineers, fostering a culture of learning and collaboration

Experience That Will Help You Succeed in This Role:

• Proficiency in Java or Python for backend development
• Strong knowledge of Spring Boot, Flask, FastAPI, and API design
• Experience with vector search frameworks (FAISS, Milvus, Pinecone)
• Expertise in Kubernetes and Docker for scalable deployment
• Understanding of authentication & security frameworks (Spring Security, SSO)
• Hands-on experience with PostgreSQL and distributed storage
• Experience with Maven or Gradle for Java project management
• Familiarity with Golang (a plus but not mandatory)
• Experience working in cloud-native, high-performance environments
• Contributions to open-source AI/ML or backend engineering projects

Why Join Us?

• Work on cutting-edge GenAI-powered applications at a global scale
• Collaborate with top engineers in AI, backend, and cloud technologies
• Innovate with LangChain, vector search, and cloud-native architectures
• Build enterprise AI applications that impact millions of users

If you’re excited about backend engineering for AI-powered systems, LLM integrations, and scalable infrastructure, we’d love to hear from you!

What we’ll provide you

This is a unique role that will put you in the position to be part of a new venture and actively drive change. Every day there will be new challenges that will help you develop new skills that can drive your career.

By joining Citi London, you will not only be part of a business casual workplace with a hybrid working model (up to 2 days working at home per week), but also receive a competitive base salary (which is annually reviewed), and enjoy a whole host of additional benefits such as:

• 27 days annual leave (plus bank holidays)

• A discretional annual performance related bonus

• Private Medical Care & Life Insurance

• Employee Assistance Program

• Pension Plan

• Paid Parental Leave

• Special discounts for employees, family, and friends

Visit ourGlobal Benefitspage to learn more.

Alongside these benefits Citi is committed to ensuring our workplace is where everyone feels comfortable coming to work as their whole self, every day. We want the best talent around the world to be energized to join us, motivated to stay and empowered to thrive.

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Job Family Group:

Technology

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Job Family:

Applications Development

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Time Type:

Full time

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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.