> Markdown version of [/jobs/ext/2693699-lead-java-back-end-developer-digital-assets-platform-vice-president](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/jobs/ext/2693699-lead-java-back-end-developer-digital-assets-platform-vice-president). Every page supports `.md` or `Accept: text/markdown`. Links point to the HTML versions so they work for humans too. Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Lead Java Back End Developer - Digital Assets Platform - Vice President - **Company:** Citi - **Location:** New York, NY, United States - **Experience:** Expert - **Salary:** $142,320.0 - $213,480.0 - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Clean Code Principles, Java (Programming Language), Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), Automation of Tests, Cloud Engineering, Software Quality, Code Review, Continuous Integration, Data Structures, Database Design, Software Design Documents, Software Design Patterns, Digital Assets, Distributed Systems, High-Level Architecture, OpenShift, Scrum Methodology, Blockchain, Secure Coding, Software Engineering, System Availability, Concurrency, Spring-boot, Technical Debt, Backend, Containerization, Solid Principles, Kubernetes, Information Technology, Web3.js, Api Design, Restful APIs, Api Management, Docker, Microservices - **Published:** September 3, 2026 - **Apply:** https://citi.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/2/job/New-York-New-York-United-States/Lead-Java-Back-End-Developer---Digital-Assets-Platform---Vice-President_26989222/apply ## About the Role The ideal candidate will bring at least 6 to 10+ years of hands-on development experience and has "been in the trenches" - someone who can jump into a complex codebase, spot subtle bugs and design flaws during code review, drive low-level design (LLD) discussions with authority, and unblock the team on the hardest technical problems. This person is expected to be more experienced and technically sharper than the other developers on the team, acting as the de facto technical authority and quality gatekeeper for the squad., * 6 -10 yearsof hands-on professional software development experience, with demonstrated depth in backend engineering (e.g., Java, Spring Boot, distributed systems, microservices, REST/gRPC APIs). * Proven track record ofleading by doing- an engineer who still codes regularly and is respected for technical depth rather than title alone. * Strong, demonstrable experience conductingthorough, high-signal code reviewsand catching issues that others miss (correctness, security, performance, edge cases, race conditions). * Strong command oflow-level design- able to independently produce and critique detailed technical designs, not just high-level architecture diagrams. * Experience leading or technically mentoring a team of engineers (formal management experience a plus, but technical leadership is essential). * Solid understanding of software engineering fundamentals: data structures & algorithms, design patterns, concurrency, database design, API design, and testing practices. * Experience working in large-scale, regulated, or enterprise environments (financial services experience strongly preferred). * Excellent communication skills - able to explain complex technical trade-offs clearly to both engineers and senior stakeholders. Education * Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field (or equivalent practical experience). Preferred * Prior exposure to blockchain, distributed ledger, or digital asset platforms (as context, not as a primary skill requirement - this role is intentionally weighted toward core engineering depth over Web3/smart contract specialization). * Experience with CI/CD pipelines, containerization (Docker/Kubernetes/OpenShift), and cloud-native architectures. * Experience operating in an Agile/Scrum delivery model. * Prior formal people-management experience (performance reviews, career development conversations). ## Description We are looking for a highly experienced, deeply hands-onTeam Lead- Java Back-End Developer to drive day-to-day engineering execution on the Digital Assets Platform. The successful candidate will focus oncore backend/platform software engineering leadership: and write production code regularly, leads by example, enforces engineering rigor, and is the technical backbone that junior and mid-level engineers rely on for direction, review, and mentorship., Hands-On Technical Leadership * Actively write, review, and ship production-quality code alongside the team - this is not a purely managerial or coordination role. * Personally take ownership of the most complex, high-risk, or ambiguous engineering problems on the platform. * Set the technical direction for the team's day-to-day implementation work, ensuring consistency with overall platform architecture. Code Quality & Code Review * Perform rigorous, detailed code reviews across the team's pull requests, catching subtle logic errors, concurrency issues, security gaps, performance bottlenecks, and maintainability problems before they reach production. * Establish and enforce coding standards, review checklists, and best practices (clean code, SOLID principles, secure coding, testability). * Act as the final technical quality gate prior to merge/release for critical components. Low-Level Design (LLD) * Drive low-level design sessions, translating high-level architecture and requirements into detailed, implementable technical designs (class/module structures, API contracts, data models, sequence flows, error handling strategy). * Review and challenge design proposals from other engineers, ensuring designs are scalable, resilient, and aligned with platform standards. * Document key design decisions and trade-offs for traceability and knowledge sharing. Team Leadership & Mentorship * Directly manage and/or technically lead a squad of backend/platform engineers, providing day-to-day technical guidance and unblocking impediments. * Mentor junior and mid-level engineers, raising the overall technical bar of the team through pairing, reviews, and structured feedback. * Identify skill gaps and growth opportunities within the team; contribute to hiring and technical interviewing. Delivery Ownership * Drive the team's sprint/iteration execution - decomposing epics into well-scoped technical tasks, estimating effort, and ensuring on-time, high-quality delivery. * Proactively identify technical risks, bottlenecks, and debt; escalate and resolve issues before they impact delivery timelines. * Partner closely with the Engineering Team Lead (SVP), Architect, and Product/Business stakeholders to translate requirements into a sound technical execution plan. Engineering Excellence * Champion automated testing (unit, integration), CI/CD discipline, observability, and operational readiness for everything the team ships. * Identify and remediate technical debt, legacy pain points, and recurring production issues. * Stay current on backend engineering, distributed systems, and platform reliability best practices (deliberatelynota smart contract/Web3-first role - the emphasis is core software engineering excellence). ## Related Videos - [Developing the Backend with Stefan Lingler, CTO at Shpock](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100360-developing-the-backend-with-stefan-lingler-cto-at-shpock) - [Smart Contract fundamentals - My first DApp](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/52-smart-contract-fundamentals-my-first-dapp) - [Docker Compose: Rediscovered](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1978-docker-compose-rediscovered) - [Next Level Enterprise Architecture: Modular, Flexible, Scalable, Multichannel and AI-Ready?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1017-next-level-enterprise-architecture-modular-flexible-scalable-multichannel-and-ai-ready) - [Nest.js - TypeScript in the backend can also be clean](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1033-nest-js-typescript-in-the-backend-can-also-be-clean) - [Inside Bitpanda's Tech Stack: Scaling a European Fintech Leader - Markus Dorner](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1979-inside-bitpanda-s-tech-stack-scaling-a-european-fintech-leader-markus-dorner) ## Related Articles - [What’s the Difference between a Junior, Mid, and Senior Developer?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/238-what-s-the-difference-between-a-junior-mid-and-senior-developer) - [How We Built a Worry-Free System That Runs for 10+ Years – And What We’d Do Again](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/751-how-we-built-a-worry-free-system-that-runs-for-10-years-and-what-we-d-do-again) - [What’s the Difference Between Frontend and Backend Development?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/240-what-s-the-difference-between-frontend-and-backend-development) - [Is Software Engineering Over-Saturated?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/418-is-software-engineering-over-saturated) - [7 tips on how to become a blockchain developer](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/53-7-tips-on-how-to-become-a-blockchain-developer) - [Fully Remote Software Engineer Jobs](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/447-fully-remote-software-engineer-jobs)