Lead Java Backend Engineer

Citi

. Define and enforce the API-first strategy for the AI Automation Forward Deployed Engineering organization .

Posted 11/9/2026full-timeChennai • IndiaSeniorWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in API-first strategy implementation, with a strong focus on Java Spring Boot microservices, API governance, and security practices. Proficient in leading integrations and ensuring compliance with industry standards while fostering collaboration across teams.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Expert-Level Java (10+)Spring Boot Microservices DevelopmentAPI Governance and Lifecycle ManagementEvent-Driven Integration with Apache KafkaSecurity Practices Including OAuth2 and mTLS

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Hard Skills

JavaSpring BootSpring WebFluxFastAPIFlaskOpenAPI 3.xApache KafkaPostgreSQLDockerOpenTelemetry

Soft Skills

LeadershipCollaborationMentoring

Tools & Technologies

KubernetesHelmCI/CD PipelinesOpenShiftPrometheus

Certifications & Qualifications

Bachelor's DegreeMaster's Degree in Computer Science or Engineering

Industry Keywords

API GovernanceSOX ComplianceGDPR ComplianceMiFID II ComplianceGenerative AI APIs

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

AngularApacheCloudDockerElasticSearchFlaskGrafanaGraphQLGRPCHibernateJavaJenkinsKafkaKubernetesMicroservicesMongoDBOpenShiftOraclePostgresPrometheusRedisSplunkSpringSpring BootSpringBootVault

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Define and enforce the API-first strategy for the AI Automation Forward Deployed Engineering organization
Establish OpenAPI/Swagger contract-first development practices, API versioning standards, and API gateway governance
Design and deliver production-grade Java Spring Boot microservices
Implement resilient service patterns and reactive services with Spring WebFlux for AI pipeline integrations
Lead integrations with Citi enterprise systems, identity/authentication services, and third-party providers
Implement event-driven integration using Apache Kafka or IBM MQ for real-time AI pipeline data streaming
Expose LLM inference, RAG pipeline, and agentic workflow endpoints as secure Spring Boot services
Collaborate with UI engineers to define and version Angular front-end API contracts
Implement security-by-design using mTLS, OAuth2/JWT, Vault, and field-level encryption
Build service observability with OpenTelemetry, structured logging, metrics, and alerting
Lead performance engineering through Gatling and k6 load testing against defined SLAs
Collaborate with DevOps and platform teams on CI/CD pipelines, Helm charts, and Kubernetes manifests
Enable zero-downtime deployments across OpenShift containerized platforms

Requirements

What you’ll need

Overall 10+ years of experience in the specified backend, API, enterprise integration, security, data, containerization/cloud, observability, and leadership areas
Expert-level Java (10+) with deep hands-on experience in Spring Boot, Spring Cloud, Spring Security, Spring Data, and Spring WebFlux
Mastery of Gen AI API development using FastAPI and Flask; REST with OpenAPI 3.x, gRPC/Protocol Buffers, and GraphQL
Proven API governance experience, including contract-first design, developer documentation, and API lifecycle management
Hands-on experience with Apache Kafka or IBM MQ, Apache Camel/Spring Integration, and enterprise integration patterns
In-depth knowledge of OAuth2, OIDC, JWT, mTLS, API key lifecycle management, and HashiCorp Vault
Understanding of SOX, GDPR, and MiFID II compliance and API implications
Proficiency with PostgreSQL, Oracle via Spring Data JPA/Hibernate, MongoDB, Redis, and exposure to Elasticsearch
Strong experience with Docker, OpenShift, Kubernetes, Helm, and CI/CD pipelines using Harness, Tekton, or Jenkins
Production experience with OpenTelemetry, Prometheus, Grafana, Splunk, or ELK
Ability to set backend integration technical direction, conduct architectural reviews, and collaborate with cross-functional stakeholders
Bachelor's degree/University degree or equivalent experience
Master's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related discipline preferred
Experience with Generative AI APIs, LLM inference or RAG endpoints, hexagonal architecture, CQRS, event sourcing, mentoring, and architectural reviews beneficial

Benefits

Comp & perks

Professional growth and development opportunities
Equal opportunity employment
Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities