Senior Backend Principal Developer

Citi; Jersey City (NJ); On-site; USD 142,320 - 213,480; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

401(k)

Paid time off

Wellness programs

Job summary

Citi is seeking a Senior Backend Principal Developer in Jersey City, New Jersey. You will lead the design and architecture of critical backend services for our integrated digital experience platform, ensuring scalability and security. Your role includes hands-on development, technical vision, and mentoring senior developers.

With 6-10 years of experience and expert-level proficiency in Java, you'll influence architectural decisions and drive development of fault-tolerant backend systems. Citi offers competitive benefits including medical coverage, 401(k), and paid time off.

Qualifications

• 6-10 years of extensive experience in backend software development.
• Experience in a Principal or Lead Developer role.
• Expert-level proficiency in modern Java backend programming language.
• Deep understanding of distributed systems and microservices architectures.
• Proven experience with identity and access management solutions.

Responsibilities

• Design, architecture, and implementation of critical backend services.
• Provide technical leadership for backend development.
• Design and maintain high-performance backend services and APIs.
• Lead backend architecture evolution to ensure security and scalability.
• Mentor senior developers and conduct code reviews.

Skills

Backend Software Development

Architecting

Technical Leadership

Java Programming

Distributed Systems

Microservices

API Design

Identity and Access Management

Cloud-Native Development

Database Technologies

Problem-Solving

Communication Skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

Docker

Kubernetes

Unix

Oracle

Caching Solutions

Job description

Key Responsibilities

• As a Senior Backend Principal Developer, you will be a hands‑on technical leader responsible for the design, architecture, and implementation of critical backend services within this integrated digital experience platform, driving the development of highly scalable, secure, and resilient solutions.
• Technical Vision & Leadership: Provide technical leadership and strategic direction for backend development, influencing architectural decisions and technology choices.
• Hands‑on Development: Design, develop, and maintain high‑performance, fault‑tolerant backend services and APIs using modern programming languages and frameworks, including core components for user authentication, authorization, content routing, and data integration.
• Architectural Stewardship: Lead the definition and evolution of backend architecture, ensuring alignment with principles of scalability, security, reliability, and maintainability in a federated system.
• Security: Implement and enforce robust security measures, including single sign‑on (SSO), centralized entitlements, and adherence to cyber defense standards across all backend components.
• Performance Engineering: Optimize backend systems for speed and efficiency, incorporating caching strategies, asynchronous processing, and efficient data access patterns.
• Integration Design: Architect and implement solutions for integrating diverse Content Provider applications into the unified platform via HTTPS‑based interfaces.
• Mentorship & Best Practices: Mentor senior developers, conduct in‑depth code reviews, and champion best practices in software engineering, including design patterns, testing methodologies, and operational excellence.
• Troubleshooting & Problem Solving: Serve as a subject‑matter expert for complex production issues, leading root‑cause analysis and resolution efforts for critical backend services.
• Collaboration: Partner closely with product management, front‑end teams, architects, and infrastructure teams to translate business requirements into technical solutions and deliver features end‑to‑end.
• Compliance: Appropriately assess risk when business decisions are made, demonstrating particular consideration for the firm's reputation and safeguarding Citigroup, its clients and assets, by driving compliance with applicable laws, rules and regulations, adhering to policy, applying sound ethical judgment regarding personal behavior, conduct and business practices, and escalating, managing and reporting control issues with transparency.

Recommended Qualifications

• 6‑10 years of extensive experience in backend software development, with significant experience in architecting and leading complex, large‑scale enterprise platforms.
• Demonstrated experience in a Principal or Lead Developer role, with a strong track record of technical leadership and hands‑on contribution.
• Expert‑level proficiency in modern Java backend programming language and associated frameworks.
• Deep understanding and practical experience with distributed systems, microservices architectures, and RESTful API design.
• Proven experience with identity and access management (IAM) solutions, including SSO protocols (e.g., OAuth2, OpenID Connect) and fine‑grained authorization.
• Solid experience with cloud‑native development principles, containerization (Docker), orchestration (Kubernetes), and cloud adoption (GCP and AWS).
• Strong knowledge of database technologies, including both relational and NoSQL databases.
• Exceptional problem‑solving and analytical skills, with the ability to tackle ambiguous problems and drive solutions.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, capable of influencing technical decisions and collaborating effectively across diverse teams.
• Hands‑on experience with the other backend technologies: Unix, Oracle, caching solutions, and AI adoption. Good knowledge of front‑end integration is a plus: ReactJS, Content Security Policy, adopting corporate design system, ADA compliance.

Education

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

Job Family Group: Technology

Job Family: Applications Development

Time Type: Full time

Primary Location: Jersey City, New Jersey, United States

Salary Range: $142,320.00 - $213,480.00

Benefits: 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.

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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