Apps Development Group Leader - Modern Engineering - Chennai

We are looking for a highly skilled and extremely hands-on Software Engineering Group Leader to drive modern engineering practices and technology transformation within our teams. The leader will play a critical role in designing, developing, and maintaining scalable, high-quality software solutions while ensuring best-in-class engineering standards, including trunk-based development, test automation, security, and modern ways of working. This role requires deep expertise in system design, hands-on coding, and strong problem-solving skills to create resilient, high-performing, and secure applications.

Key Responsibilities:

• Candidate to be a hands-on engineer with extensive coding experience
• Design and architect robust, scalable, secure and high-performance Java based applications
• Actively contribute to hands-on coding, code reviews, and refactoring to maintain high engineering standards.
• Lead the development of Micro Services based architectures and cloud based applications
• Evaluate and recommend new technologies, tools and framework to the business unit
• Oversee development, deployment and integration of software solutions
• Provide technical guidance, conduct Code Reviews and ensure adherence to best coding practices in readability, performance, and security
• Mentor junior team members and foster a culture of engineering excellence and continuous learning.
• Drive the adoption of modern engineering ways of working, including Agile, DevOps, and CI/CD.
• Possess DevOps experience and work closely with DevOps team to streamline CI/CD and cloud deployments
• Troubleshoot and resolve technical issues and ensuring smooth BAU

Skills and Qualifications:

Must-Have Skills:

• 15+ years of relevant experience
• Strong hands-on coding experience in Java, J2EE.Experience in applications development
• Proficiency in Java 17, 21 version and Spring frameworks
• Deep expertise in system design and microservices architecture.
• Experience with trunk-based development, feature flags, and progressive delivery strategies.
• Proficiency in TDD, BDD, and automation-first mindset to ensure high test coverage and reliability.
• Strong understanding of CI/CD pipelines, and DevOps practices.
• Experience conducting code reviews, vulnerability assessments, and secure coding.
• Work experience in multiple messaging middleware (Kafka, MQ etc..)
• Experience in Docker/Container Orchestration tools (K8S/Open Shift)
• Exposure to any of the Distributedcaching technologies
• Excellent problem-solving skills and ability to work in fast-paced, agile environments.
• Experience in managing global technology teams and in migrating legacy systems into the latest tech stack
• Strong communication and collaboration skills.

Good-to-Have Skills:

• Experience with event-driven architecture and distributed systems.
• Knowledge of performance tuning, observability, and production monitoring.
• Familiarity with Agile frameworks and modern ways of working in product development.
• Utilize in-depth knowledge of concepts and procedures within own area and basic knowledge of other areas to resolve issues
• Integrate in-depth knowledge of applications development with overall technology function to achieve established goals
• Influence and negotiate with senior leaders across functions, as well as communicate with external parties as necessary
• 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, as well as effectively supervise the activity of others and create accountability with those who fail to maintain these standards.

Education:

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