Python Engineering AI Lead - Assistant Vice president

Citi; Chennai; On-site; INR 4,000,000 - 7,000,000; Full time

Job summary

Citi in Chennai seeks a Principal Engineer to join the Retail and Wealth Risk Engineering team under Enterprise Risk Technology. This intermediate-level role designs, builds, and maintains scalable data pipelines and AI-enabled solutions for risk analytics.

You will work with Python, PySpark, Kafka, Databricks, and AI toolchains to deploy AI agents, implement data federation, and ensure data quality, security, and compliance across the data lifecycle.

Qualifications

• 8+ years in large-scale application development with AI deployment.
• 5+ years Python and PySpark engineering lead role for ELT/ETL in Databricks.
• Hands-on agentic AI development with YAML/JSON/FAST API/Spring Boot and Google ADK.
• Experience building and automating microservice integrations.
• Proficiency in Python or Scala and strong SQL with relational DBs.
• Deep data modeling, data warehousing, Data Mesh, and data federation knowledge.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and maintain scalable AI-enabled data pipelines for large data volumes.
• Deploy GEN AI Agents using Google ADK and LLMs with HIL architectures.
• Build data federation layers for lambda/Data Mesh using Starburst.
• Develop and automate microservice integrations with CI/CD in cloud-native infra.
• Integrate agentic AI tools via MCP and advanced prompt engineering.
• Ensure data quality, integrity, and security across the data lifecycle.
• Contribute to data engineering standards and best practices.
• Assess risk and ensure compliance with laws and Citi policies.

Skills

SQL

Communication

Problem solving

Collaboration

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science/Engineering

Master's degree is a plus

Tools

Python

PySpark

Databricks

Kubernetes

FAST API

Spring Boot

Google ADK

Kafka

Starburst

Job description

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 Mandatory platform for the secure and scalable deployment of AI agents, 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 AI agents , supporting ELT/ETL processes to handle large data volumes using the Python, FAST API, Microservices , PySpark, Kafka and Databricks ecosystem.
• Build and Deploy GEN AI Agents using Googles ADK and Google Flash 2.5+ LLMs to support application automation supports and its deep insights, workflow support with HIL - Human in loop architecture.
• 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 using cloud native infrastructure and openshift or Kubernates architecture including CI/CD pipelines.
• 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 Citi, its clients, and assets by driving compliance with applicable laws, rules, and regulations. Adhere to Policy, apply sound ethical judgment, and elevate, manage, and report control issues with transparency.

Qualifications

Required

• 8+ years of overall experience in large-scale application development with recent mandatory platform for the secure and scalable deployment of AI agents into application contexts
• Minimum of 5+ years of proven experience in a Python and pyspark Engineering lead role focused on building enterprise-grade, high-volume ELT/ETL processes using the PySpark and Databricks ecosystem.
• Hands-on experience with agentic AI development using YAML, JSON, FAST API or Spring boot, Google ADK, LLM itegrations, 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 analytics, engineering, such as Python 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.

Job Family Group

Technology

Job Family

Applications Development

Time Type

Full time

Most Relevant Skills

Please see the requirements listed above.

Other Relevant Skills

For complementary skills, please see above and/or contact the recruiter.

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.

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