Principal Python AI Lead - Generative & Enterprise AI

Citi; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 145,100 - 217,700; Full time

Job summary

Citi is seeking a highly skilled Lead Python AI Principal Engineer (Hands-On) to spearhead enterprise Generative AI platforms and services. You will lead technical teams, architect scalable AI solutions, and contribute hands-on coding across Python-based components.

The role emphasizes production-grade AI products, collaboration with data science and business teams, and delivering measurable value across Citi's lines of business. Hybrid work and strategic influence are key features.

Qualifications

• 7+ years in software with senior Principal Engineer experience.
• 6+ years hands-on Python engineering.
• Experience leading teams of engineers and data scientists.
• Strong background in production AI/ML systems and cloud architectures.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end development of complex AI solutions, infrastructure and architecture.
• Guide a team of engineers and data scientists, reviewing designs and code to high standards.
• Translate product problems into clear technical directions and success metrics.
• Design robust model architectures, retrieval strategies, and evaluation frameworks.
• Engage with stakeholders to architect solutions for key use-cases.
• Contribute to software development as hands-on coder and reviewer.
• Build Python-based Generative AI components including RAG pipelines and data loaders.
• Ensure robust error handling, observability and test coverage.
• Manage executive stakeholder relationships in technology.
• Manage multiple initiatives of varying sizes.

Skills

Python

AI/ML

Leadership

Cloud architectures

FastAPI

Code review

Data engineering basics

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Master's degree preferred

Tools

AWS

Azure

Kubernetes

Git

Docker

FastAPI

ADK

Internal libraries

Job description

Citi is seeking a highly skilled Lead Python AI Principal Engineer (Hands-On) to spearhead enterprise Generative AI platforms and services. You will lead technical teams, architect scalable AI solutions, and contribute hands-on coding across Python-based components.

The role emphasizes production-grade AI products, collaboration with data science and business teams, and delivering measurable value across Citi's lines of business. Hybrid work and strategic influence are key features.