Senior Java Developer (Smart Order Routing (SOR)) - Equities Electronic Trading

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Job Overview

Senior Java Developer (Smart Order Router (SOR)) - Equities Electronic Trading

Engineer the future of global finance. At Citi, our Tech team doesn’t just support finance – we are helping to redefine it. Every day, $5 trillion crosses through our network. We do business in 180+ countries operating at a scale few can match. From deploying advanced AI to helping shape global markets, we build systems that matter. Look to join a team where your work helps influence economies, your ideas can drive innovation and outcomes, and your growth is backed by mentorship, continuous learning and flexibility with potential hybrid work opportunities. Help solve real-world challenges that touch millions and get the opportunity to build the future of finance with Citi Tech. 

What We do / The Team 

Equities Technology at Citi is undertaking a bold, multi‑year transformation to build a best‑in‑class global platform across execution, prime, clearing and cross‑product margining. We are re‑engineering our technology estate to achieve world‑leading performance and resiliency, enabling new capabilities in advanced execution, global market connectivity, and modernised post‑trade, clearing and margin processes. Our ambition is to deliver a seamlessly integrated, highly automated platform that drives outstanding client outcomes and accelerates growth across our global franchise. As part of the team, you’ll collaborate closely with high‑calibre engineers and deeply engaged business and product partners - working together to define and deliver the next generation of Equities technology at Citi. 

Role Overview/What will you do: 

We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Smart Order Router (SOR) Developer to join our Equities Electronic Trading team. This is a VP-level position responsible for the design, development, and optimization of our core low-latency execution platform. The overall objective of this role is to drive the technical implementation and innovation of our SOR, a critical component of our electronic trading infrastructure, utilizing modern, high-performance Java and microservices architecture.

• Take a leading role in the design, development, and optimization of high-performance, low-latency microservices and applications, with a primary focus on the Smart Order Router.
• Implement and enhance complex routing logic, venue analysis models, and performance optimizations to ensure best execution and system stability.
• Participate in and lead technical design discussions and conduct rigorous code reviews to ensure the highest standards of quality, performance, and architectural integrity.
• Partner with product development, quantitative researchers, and other technology teams to deliver new trading capabilities and enhance existing systems.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives in testing frameworks, development tools, and deployment processes for our low-latency and high-throughput environment.
• Resolve complex technical challenges through in-depth analysis of business requirements, system processes, and industry best practices.
• Apply expert knowledge of system architecture, data flow, and development standards for coding, testing, debugging, and implementation.
• Build and maintain robust solutions for trading platform monitoring, trade reconciliation, and application recovery.
• 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.

Key Skills and Experience required - This section is about the candidate.  

• Hands-on experience in software development with a strong focus on high-performance, low-latency systems.
• Expert-level technical knowledge in Core Java, including a deep understanding of JVM internals, concurrency, garbage collection, and memory management in a low-latency context.
• Proven experience designing and developing automated trading systems, specifically with Smart Order Routers in Equities or other similar financial domains.
• Solid understanding of financial market protocols (e.g., FIX) and practical experience handling order and market datasets.
• Experience with microservices architecture and developing distributed systems.
• Demonstrable experience with modern testing frameworks, Agile methodologies, and Continuous Integration/Continuous Delivery (CI/CD) processes.
• Excellent communication skills with a demonstrable ability to present and grasp complex technical and business concepts.
• Familiarity with messaging and data grid technologies (e.g., Solace, AMPS, Chronicle) and infrastructure automation tools (e.g., Ansible) is a plus.

Any Beneficial / Nice to have skills and experience:  

• Bachelor’s degree/University degree or equivalent experience operating in a similar role

This job description provides a high-level review of the types of work performed. Other job-related duties may be assigned as required. 

What we’ll provide you 

By joining Citi, you will not only be part of a business casual workplace with a hybrid working model (up to 2 days working at home per week), but also receive a competitive base salary (which is annually reviewed), and enjoy a whole host of additional benefits such as: 

• 27 days annual leave (plus bank holidays) 

• A discretional annual performance related bonus 

• Private Medical Care & Life Insurance 

• Employee Assistance Program 

• Pension Plan 

• Paid Parental Leave 

• Special discounts for employees, family, and friends 

• Access to an array of learning and development resources 

Visit our About Us | Culture, Values & Benefits page to learn more.

Alongside these benefits Citi is committed to ensuring our workplace is where everyone feels comfortable coming to work as their whole self, every day. We want the best talent around the world to be energized to join us, motivated to stay and empowered to thrive. 

#LI-AP2 

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Job Family Group:

Technology

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Job Family:

Applications Development

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Time Type:

Full time

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Most Relevant Skills

Please see the requirements listed above.

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Other Relevant Skills

For complementary skills, please see above and/or contact the recruiter.

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