Technology Lead Python Data Engineer - Vice President

Citi is seeking a Technology Lead Python Data Engineer to design and build modern, scalable Python-based platforms that support credit risk management. This onsite role in Rutherford, NJ blends hands-on engineering, system architecture, and technical leadership, with opportunities to apply AI-enabled approaches to improve workflows and insights.

Role Overview

In this position, you will architect and deliver Python-based applications for credit risk analytics, workflows, and reporting. You will collaborate with risk, product, and technology leadership to integrate platforms, identify enhancements, and enable new products and process improvements, while ensuring governance across enterprise architecture, data, security, and infrastructure standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Architect, design, and deliver scalable Python-based applications supporting credit risk analytics, workflows, and reporting.
• Partner with risk, product, and technology leadership to integrate platforms, identify enhancements, and enable new products and process improvements.
• Resolve high-impact, complex initiatives through deep analysis of business processes, system flows, and industry standards.
• Ensure solutions align with enterprise architecture, data, security, and infrastructure blueprints.
• Establish and enforce engineering standards for coding, testing, CI/CD, debugging, and production readiness.
• Design and evolve microservices-based architectures with scalability, resiliency, observability, and maintainability in mind.
• Apply AI and GenAI capabilities to modernize workflows, automate analysis, and unlock new insights in credit risk.
• Serve as a technical leader and mentor by coaching mid-level engineers and analysts and allocating work as needed.
• Apply sound risk and control judgment to ensure compliance with laws, regulations, and policies while safeguarding clients, data, and the firm.

Required Qualifications

• 6+ years of experience in application development or systems engineering within complex environments.
• Advanced proficiency in Python and SQL, with strong software engineering fundamentals.
• Hands-on experience building API-driven services using FastAPI, Pydantic, and/or Django.
• Proven expertise designing and implementing microservices architectures, including service decomposition, inter-service communication, resiliency patterns, and observability.
• Strong experience with Docker and Kubernetes, deploying and operating containerized services in production.
• Deep understanding of system architecture, data flows, and distributed systems.
• Experience working in Linux environments, including shell scripting and operational troubleshooting.
• Strong track record implementing unit testing, TDD, and automated quality controls.
• Subject Matter Expert (SME) experience in at least one application, platform, or service domain.
• Working knowledge of large language models (LLMs) and modern AI platforms from providers such as OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, and Meta.
• Experience designing or contributing to LLM-enabled solutions (for example copilots, workflow automation, analytics augmentation).
• Familiarity with prompt engineering, model integration patterns, and AI governance considerations in enterprise environments.
• Exposure to modern AI-assisted development practices (“vibe coding”) that accelerate development and experimentation while maintaining engineering rigor.

Technologies

• Python, SQL, FastAPI, Pydantic, Django
• Microservices, Docker, Kubernetes
• Linux, shell scripting, unit testing, TDD
• LLMs, OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, Meta
• Prompt engineering

Bonus / Differentiating Skills

• Experience with distributed data and compute platforms such as Spark, PySpark, Hadoop, or Hive.
• Hands-on experience with graph databases, particularly Neo4j, for network, relationship, or dependency-driven use cases.
• Background in credit risk, financial risk management, or banking platforms.
• Experience modernizing or decomposing legacy monolithic systems in large enterprises.
• Proven delivery of GenAI / AI-driven solutions in regulated or large-scale environments.

Education

Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent experience) in Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, or a related STEM field.

Location and Work Details

• Location: Rutherford, NJ, United States (onsite)
• Time Type: Full time
• Primary Location: Rutherford, New Jersey, United States
• Salary Range: USD 142,320 - 213,480 per year
• Job Family Group: Technology
• Job Family: Applications Development

Benefits

• Medical, dental & vision coverage
• 401(k)
• Life, accident, and disability insurance
• Wellness programs
• Planned time off (vacation)
• Unplanned time off (sick leave)
• Paid holidays
• Discretionary and formulaic incentive and retention awards (for eligible employees)

Application Timeline

Anticipated posting close date: Sep 04, 2026