Lead Java and Apache Spark Developer - Vice President

Citigroup; Pune District; On-site; INR 4,000,000 - 8,000,000; Full time

Job summary

Citi is seeking a Lead/Principal Java Spark Developer in Pune to steer architectural vision and technical strategy for next‑gen data processing platforms. You will lead, mentor, and contribute hands-on to deliver mission‑critical, scalable systems while elevating engineering practices across teams.

The role blends strategic leadership with coding, design, and implementation, driving performance, reliability, and development standards at an enterprise scale.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of hands-on experience in Big Data development and analytics.
• Expert-level proficiency in Java and Apache Spark.
• Strong knowledge of distributed systems, design patterns, and software architecture.

Responsibilities

• Architectural design: define and drive the architectural vision for large-scale data processing platforms.
• Technical leadership: mentor developers and set standards for code quality and engineering excellence.
• Hands-on development: contribute to coding, design, and implementation of core modules.
• Strategic solutioning: translate complex requirements into secure, efficient technical solutions.
• Code excellence: enforce best practices for modular, testable code using OOP and design patterns.
• System optimization: refactor and optimize applications for performance and scalability.
• High-level collaboration: work with stakeholders to define roadmaps and ensure delivery.
• Innovation: evaluate new technologies to keep the platform cutting edge.
• Influence and leadership: guide technical decisions across teams.

Skills

Java

Apache Spark

Big Data

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

Tools

Kafka

REST APIs

RDBMS

Docker

Kubernetes

Databricks

Job description

Lead/Principal Java Spark Developer

We are looking for a Lead/Principal Java Spark Developer to spearhead the architectural vision and technical strategy for the transformation and modernization of Citi's next-generation data processing platforms. This role is for a thought leader who is passionate about architecting and building highly scalable, resilient, and performant systems that solve complex business problems.

This leadership role is ideal for a seasoned expert who thrives on technical challenges, enjoys setting the technical direction, and is motivated to establish and evangelize engineering best practices across teams. While this is a strategic leadership position, it requires a significant hands‑on contribution to coding, design, and implementation. You will be a key driver of innovation, responsible for architecting and delivering mission‑critical, production‑grade solutions, while mentoring teams to elevate the platform's performance, reliability, and development standards.

Responsibilities

• Architectural Design: Define and drive the architectural vision and strategy for large-scale data processing platforms, ensuring alignment with business goals.
• Technical Leadership: Guide and mentor a team of developers, setting high standards for code quality and engineering excellence while fostering a culture of innovation.
• Hands‑on Development: Actively participate in the coding, implementation, and peer review of complex modules and core framework components to lead by example.
• Strategic Solutioning: Translate complex business requirements into robust, secure, and efficient technical solutions, setting the standard for the engineering organization.
• Code Excellence: Champion and enforce best practices for writing modular, testable, and maintainable code, rooted in expert knowledge of OOP principles and design patterns.
• System Optimization: Lead efforts to continuously refactor and optimize applications for performance, scalability, and maintainability at an enterprise scale.
• High‑Level Collaboration: Collaborate with senior stakeholders, product owners, and other technology leaders to define roadmaps and ensure high-quality delivery.
• Innovation: Drive the evaluation and adoption of new technologies and methodologies to keep the platform at the cutting edge.
• Influence and Leadership: Provide thought leadership and influence technical design and decisions across the organization.

Recommended Qualifications

• 10+ years of hands‑on experience in Big Data development, with expert‑level proficiency in Java and Apache Spark.
• Domain Knowledge: Strong understanding of Funds Transfer Pricing (FTP) processes and financial systems is required.
• Expert‑level knowledge of object‑oriented programming, advanced design patterns, and clean coding practices.
• Proven track record of architecting, building, and optimizing large‑scale, mission‑critical distributed data processing systems.
• Extensive experience with REST APIs, RDBMS, and Kafka or similar messaging systems.
• Deep experience with microservices architecture and containerization technologies (Docker/Kubernetes).
• Significant experience working in and leading teams within Agile environments, demonstrating strong collaboration and ownership.
• Proven ability to lead technical teams and mentor engineers to achieve technical excellence.
• Extensive experience with Databricks is highly preferred.
• Deep familiarity and experience with building AI‑powered solutions / AI agents.

Education

• Bachelor's degree/University degree or equivalent experience.
• Master's degree preferred.

This job description provides a high-level review of the types of work performed. Other job‑related duties may be assigned as required.

Job Family Group

Technology

Job Family

Applications Development

Time Type

Full time

Most Relevant Skills

Please see the requirements listed above.

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