Java Backend & Microservices Applications Development Manager, Vice President

Socket.dev; Irving (TX); Hybrid; USD 126,000 - 189,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision coverage

401(k) savings plan

Paid time off

Job summary

Citi is seeking a seasoned Java Backend Development Lead in Irving, TX to steer the design, development, and deployment of AI-powered platforms. You will mentor engineers, architect scalable services, and partner with data scientists to deploy ML models in production.

The role requires hands-on leadership, deep Java expertise, and a track record with Spring Boot, microservices, and cloud-ready architectures. This is a hybrid position with in-office and remote work flexibility.

Qualifications

• 6+ years of professional backend experience with Java.
• 3+ years in a technical leadership role, delivering complex projects.
• Extensive experience with the Spring Framework, particularly Spring Boot, for building microservices.
• Solid understanding of microservices architecture, Docker, and Kubernetes.
• Proficient in designing and building RESTful APIs and event-driven systems.
• Strong experience with relational databases (PostgreSQL, MySQL) and NoSQL databases (MongoDB, Cassandra).
• Experience with message brokers such as Apache Kafka or RabbitMQ.
• Strong understanding of software development principles, design patterns, and Agile methodologies.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and manage a team of backend developers in an Agile environment.
• Architect robust, scalable backend services and APIs using Java, Spring Boot, and microservices principles.
• Collaborate with data scientists to integrate AI/ML models and enable real-time inferencing and retraining.
• Oversee the full software development lifecycle from design to deployment and maintenance.
• Champion code quality, testing, and CI/CD; conduct code reviews and feedback.

Skills

Java

Spring Boot

Microservices

Docker

Kubernetes

RESTful APIs

PostgreSQL

MySQL

MongoDB

Cassandra

Kafka

Agile

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s in CS/Engineering

Tools

Elasticsearch

Apache Spark

Apache Flink

Job description

Citi, the leading global bank, has approximately 200 million customer accounts and does business in more than 160 countries and jurisdictions. Citi provides consumers, corporations, governments, and institutions with a broad range of financial products and services, including consumer banking and credit, corporate and investment banking, securities brokerage, transaction services, and wealth management.

As a bank with a brain and a soul, Citi creates economic value that is systemically responsible and in our clients’ best interests. As a financial institution that touches every region of the world and every sector that shapes your daily life, our Enterprise Operations & Technology teams are charged with a mission that rivals any large tech company. Our technology solutions are the foundations of everything we do from keeping the bank safe, managing global resources, and providing the technical tools our workers need to be successful to designing our digital architecture and ensuring our platforms provide a first-class customer experience. We reimagine client and partner experiences to deliver excellence through secure, reliable, and efficient services.

Our commitment to diversity includes a workforce that represents the clients we serve from all walks of life, backgrounds, and origins. We foster an environment where the best people want to work. We value and demand respect for others, promote individuals based on merit, and ensure opportunities for personal development are widely available to all. Ideal candidates are innovators with well-rounded backgrounds who bring their authentic selves to work and complement our culture of delivering results with pride. If you are a problem solver who seeks passion in your work, come join us. We’ll enable growth and progress together.

Position Overview

We are seeking 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.

Key Responsibilities

• 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.

Required Qualifications

• 6+ years of professional experience in backend software development, with a strong command of Java.
• 3+ 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.

Beneficial Skills & Qualifications

• 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.
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field.
• Familiarity with industry standards and best practices relevant to financial services technology environments.

What We Offer

At Citi, senior leaders are given the platform, resources, and organizational reach to make a real impact. This role offers the opportunity to shape technology strategy at scale, lead talented engineering teams, and contribute to outcomes that matter across a global financial institution.

• A hybrid working model with 3 days in the office and 2 days working remotely, giving you structure alongside meaningful flexibility.
• Strategic ownership of a high‑visibility engineering function within Citi's Operations Servicing organization, with direct influence on how applications are built and governed.
• Access to Citi's global network of technology teams, enabling cross‑border collaboration and exposure to enterprise‑scale challenges.
• Ongoing learning and development opportunities, including access to emerging technologies such as AI‑assisted development tooling and modern cloud‑native architectures.
• Competitive compensation and financial wellbeing benefits commensurate with a senior leadership position.
• Wellbeing and family support programs designed to help you sustain performance over the long term.

Job Family Group:

Technology

Job Family:

Applications Development

Time Type:

Full time

Primary Location:

Irving Texas United States

Primary Location Full Time Salary Range:

$125,760.00 - $188,640.00

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.

Most Relevant Skills

Please see the requirements listed above.

Other Relevant Skills

API Development, Java, Microservice Framework, Spring Boot.

Anticipated Posting Close Date:

Sep 26, 2026

Automated Processing and AI

We 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

Equal Opportunity Statement

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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