Lead Python Application Developer - Vice President

Job description

Role Overview We are seeking a highly experienced, technically proficient, and execution-focused Senior Python Application Developer with 12+ years of hands-on experience to design, architect, and deliver critical, horizontally scalable, highly available, and performant applications. This role demands deep technical expertise in Python, distributed systems, and modern DevOps practices, combined with a strong background in quantitative computation and market risk domains. The ideal candidate is a hands-on technical leader who can drive software engineering excellence, manage technical aspects of complex projects (including planning, governance, and budgeting), and collaborate effectively with globally matrixed teams, including Risk Managers, Risk Analytics, Senior Quants, and Front Office (FO) teams. Key Responsibilities 1. Architecture, Design & Hands-on Development Lead Implementation: Lead the hands-on implementation and architecture of robust Python frameworks to build horizontally scalable, highly available, highly resilient, and performant applications. Platform Engineering: Design and develop efficient software platforms for high-throughput data computation, processing, and quantitative calculations. Standards & Alignment: Develop solutions adhering to enterprise architectural standards, utilizing in-depth technical and business domain knowledge. Database & API Design: Design, develop, and secure high-performance RESTful APIs, integration patterns, and database schemas (relational and NoSQL). 2. Technical Leadership, Governance & Delivery SDLC & Code Quality: Enforce industry-standard SDLC best practices and contribute to code quality through rigorous code reviews, automated testing, and continuous integration. Project Ownership: Take full ownership of technical initiatives, including planning, forecasting, project tracking, governance, and managing technology budgets at the team level. Change Management: Drive continuous improvement, change management, and modern software engineering practices within the development team. Independent Execution: Work independently, multi-task, and manage priorities effectively under pressure to meet tight deadlines or unexpected changes in requirements. 3. Collaboration & Stakeholder Management Cross-Functional Partnership: Act as a key liaison and partner with Risk Managers, Risk Analytics, Senior Quants, Front Office (FO), DevOps, and Production Support teams to ensure seamless IT deliveries. Global Collaboration: Work effectively in a globally matrixed environment, partnering with virtual teams and external partners across different time zones. Executive Communication: Consistently demonstrate clear, concise, and impactful written and verbal communication, ranging from technical discussions within the team to presentations for senior business executives. Required Technical Qualifications I. Core Python, DSA & System Development Experience: 12+ years of hands-on application development experience, with a primary focus on Python, Data Structures and Algorithms. Python Expertise: Expert-level Python 3.x proficiency, with deep knowledge of core concepts, advanced computation libraries, and design patterns (OOP, SOLID). Frameworks: Advanced knowledge of Python web and API frameworks (FastAPI, Django, Flask). Distributed Systems: Strong understanding of software architecture principles and distributed system design (Microservices, Event-Driven Architecture, caching strategies). Database Systems: Extensive experience with relational databases (PostgreSQL, Oracle, SQL Server) and NoSQL databases (MongoDB, Cassandra, Redis), including advanced SQL query writing and optimization. Operating Systems: Highly experienced with Unix/Linux-based operating systems, shell scripting, and system-level development. II. Cloud, DevOps & Testing Cloud Platforms: Strong background in cloud platforms AWS or IBM symphony grid. Containerization & Orchestration: Hands-on experience with Docker containerization and contributing to Kubernetes orchestration. CI/CD Pipelines: Proven exposure to and experience with Continuous Integration and Continuous Delivery (CI/CD) systems (Jenkins, GitLab CI, GitHub Actions, Bitbucket Pipelines) for automated deployment. Testing & TDD: Proficiency in automated testing frameworks (Pytest, unittest) and Test-Driven Development (TDD) methodologies. Security: Solid understanding of secure coding practices and application of security principles (OWASP Top 10). Version Control: Expertise in Git (Bitbucket, GitHub) for advanced branching, merging, and pull request workflows. III. Quantitative & Risk Domain Quantitative Computation: Multiple years of experience developing quantitative/calc-intensive Python solutions with advanced computation libraries (e.g., NumPy, Pandas, SciPy). Risk Methodologies: Sound understanding of and exposure to various Risk Methodologies (e.g., Market Risk, Stress Testing, Value at Risk (VaR), Sensitivities). Domain Delivery: Proven track record of delivering Stress Testing and Regulatory Risk projects in the Market Risk domain. Mathematical Modeling: Exposure to mathematical modeling and financial insights. IV. Artificial Intelligence (AI) Integration (Exposure) AI/ML Frameworks: Exposure to AI/ML tools and frameworks. Development Workflows: Practical experience utilizing AI tools (GitHub Copilot, Devin, Claude, Gemini, GPT) to optimize development workflows. Agentic AI: Experience with Agentic AI tools, including writing Agents and Skills, and contributing to Agentic frameworks. Generative AI: Understanding and practical application of Generative AI concepts in software development. Professional & Leadership Skills Agile/Scrum: Deep understanding and practical experience working within Agile/Scrum methodologies. Analytical Thinking: Strong analytical, logical, systems thinking, and critical analysis skills. Design Thinking: Demonstrated design thinking skills to solve complex business and technical problems. Ownership & Adaptability: Ability to take complete ownership of various parts of a project, adapt to changing priorities, and perform under pressure. Preferred / "Good to Have" Qualifications Banking Domain: Prior experience working within the banking/financial services domain, specifically in pricing, valuation, or risk management systems. Certifications: Relevant Cloud (AWS, Azure, GCP) or Industry Certifications. Financial Certifications: CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) or FRM (Financial Risk Manager) certification is a strong plus. ------------------------------------------------------ Job Family Group: Technology ------------------------------------------------------ Job Family: Applications Development ------------------------------------------------------ Time Type: Full time ------------------------------------------------------ Most Relevant Skills Please see the requirements listed above. ------------------------------------------------------ Other Relevant Skills For complementary skills, please see above and/or contact the recruiter. ------------------------------------------------------ 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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