Senior Backend Principal Developer

Job ID: 95630713552Posted: 2026-08-21Location: Jersey City, New Jersey, United StatesSalary: $142,320.00 - $213,480.00Category: Technology, Applications Development, ProfessionalCompany: CitiThe Senior Backend Principal Developer is a senior level position responsible for developing a robust collection of connected and complementary technical solutions that deliver an enterprise scale framework that serves hundred-thousands of clients and millions of web requests every day. The platform establishes an interconnected experience for both internal and external users by seamlessly integrating existing applications.Key Responsibilites: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. Your expertise will drive 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. This includes 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 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, Any caching solutions and any AI adoption. Good knowledge on the Frontend integration is a plus: ReactJS, Content Security Policy, Adopting Corporate Design System, ADA ComplianceEducation:Bachelor’s degree/University degree or equivalent experienceMasters Degree preferredThis job description provides a high-level review of the types of work performed. Other job-related duties may be assigned as required.------------------------------------------------------Job Family Group: Technology------------------------------------------------------Job Family:Applications Development------------------------------------------------------Time Type:Full time------------------------------------------------------Primary Location:Jersey City New Jersey United States------------------------------------------------------Primary Location Full Time Salary Range:$142,320.00 - $213,480.00In 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 For complementary skills, please see above and/or contact the recruiter.------------------------------------------------------Anticipated Posting Close Date:------------------------------------------------------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.If you are a person with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation to use our search tools and/or apply for a career opportunity review Accessibility at Citi.View Citi’s EEO Policy Statement and the Know Your Rights poster.