Cloud Engineer Lead -Public Cloud Container Services (Platform Services) – SVP

Citi
Full_timeLondon, United Kingdom

📍 Job Overview

  • Job Title: Cloud Engineer Lead - Public Cloud Container Services (Platform Services) – SVP
  • Company: Citi
  • Location: London, United Kingdom
  • Job Type: Hybrid (2 days working at home per week)
  • Category: Web Infrastructure & DevOps
  • Date Posted: 2025-07-29
  • Experience Level: 10+ years
  • Remote Status: On-site with hybrid option

🚀 Role Summary

  • Cloud Engineering Leadership: Lead the public cloud Container Services strategy and its execution, enabling Citi's secure and enterprise-scale adoption of public cloud.
  • Team Building & Growth: Lead and grow a team of deeply technical cloud specialists and full-stack software developers, fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration.
  • Innovation & Automation: Drive client satisfaction and business value by identifying and developing process improvement and automation initiatives.
  • Stakeholder Collaboration: Establish partnerships across the broader Citi technology landscape to align with business growth initiatives and priorities.
  • Engineering Excellence: Define measurable success criteria and routinely assess service availability and reliability.
  • Compliance Champion: Drive compliance with applicable standards, policies, and regulations, always assessing risk with Citi's reputation, clients, and assets in mind.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role requires a strategic thinker with a strong technical background in public cloud services, capable of balancing business needs with technical constraints and driving innovation in a large enterprise environment.

💻 Primary Responsibilities

  • Cloud Strategy & Execution: Own the public cloud Container Services strategy and its execution, providing technical authority for all foundational services.
  • Team Leadership & Development: Lead and grow a team of cloud specialists and software developers, fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning.
  • Process Improvement & Automation: Identify and develop process improvement and automation initiatives to drive client satisfaction and business value.
  • Stakeholder Collaboration: Establish and maintain partnerships with stakeholders across the Citi technology landscape to align with business growth initiatives and priorities.
  • Service Availability & Reliability: Define and monitor service level agreements (SLAs), ensuring high availability and reliability of cloud services.
  • Compliance & Risk Management: Ensure compliance with applicable standards, policies, and regulations, assessing and mitigating risks to Citi's reputation, clients, and assets.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role requires a hands-on leader with a strong technical background in public cloud services, capable of balancing business needs with technical constraints and driving innovation in a large enterprise environment.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field. Relevant certifications (e.g., AWS Certified Solutions Architect, GCP Certified Professional Cloud Architect) are a plus.

Experience: 10+ years of experience in cloud engineering, with at least 5 years in a leadership role. Proven track record of driving public cloud adoption at scale.

Required Skills:

  • Cloud Engineering Expertise:
    • Deep understanding of public cloud services adoption at scale
    • Expert-level understanding of AWS/GCP across:
      • Kubernetes Container Platform (AWS EKS, GCP GKE, etc.)
      • Fleet Management Solutions (Rancher, Flux, ArgoCD, etc.)
      • Cloud Native Virtualisation (AWS EC2, GCP Compute Engine, AWS Image builder, etc.)
      • Serverless Compute (AWS Lambda, GCP Function, etc.)
  • Infrastructure as Code (IaC) Hands On Expertise:
    • Programming Languages: Python and Go
    • CI/CD: Terraform, Harness, Tekton, Jenkins, etc.
    • Testing Automation: Terratest, Cucumber, PytestBD, AWS Fault Injection Simulator (FIS), Chaos Mesh, etc.
  • Agile and DevOps Mindset:
    • Familiarity with Agile Development, DevOps, and SRE practices
  • Adaptability:
    • Demonstrated ability to quickly learn new technologies and adapt to changing project requirements
  • Strategic Thinking:
    • Experience evaluating complex requirements and rationalizing them into a consistent service offering
  • Excellent Communication:
    • Ability to effectively communicate technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences
  • Leadership Experience:
    • A proven track record of managing a diverse, inclusive, and high-performing Engineering team

Preferred Skills:

  • Experience with cloud security best practices and compliance frameworks (e.g., CIS, NIST, ISO 27001)
  • Familiarity with cloud cost management and optimization strategies
  • Knowledge of cloud-based data analytics, machine learning, and AI/ML services

📝 Enhancement Note: While not explicitly stated, having experience with cloud security, cost management, and emerging technologies like AI/ML would be highly beneficial for this role, given the strategic nature of the position and the need to drive innovation in a large enterprise environment.

📊 Web Portfolio & Project Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

  • A comprehensive portfolio showcasing your cloud engineering expertise, including architecture diagrams, deployment scripts, and documentation.
  • Case studies demonstrating your ability to drive process improvement and automation initiatives, with a focus on client satisfaction and business value.
  • Examples of your leadership and team-building skills, such as team charters, meeting notes, or testimonials from team members.
  • Evidence of your strategic thinking, such as whitepapers, blog posts, or presentations on cloud trends, best practices, or emerging technologies.

Technical Documentation:

  • Code quality, commenting, and documentation standards, demonstrating your attention to detail and commitment to maintainable, scalable code.
  • Version control, deployment processes, and server configuration, highlighting your understanding of CI/CD pipelines and infrastructure as code (IaC) best practices.
  • Testing methodologies, performance metrics, and optimization techniques, showcasing your ability to ensure high-quality, reliable cloud services.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the leadership nature of this role, your portfolio should emphasize your strategic thinking, team-building skills, and ability to drive innovation and automation in a large enterprise environment. Include case studies, architecture diagrams, and documentation that demonstrate your expertise in public cloud services and infrastructure as code (IaC).

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: £120,000 - £160,000 per annum (based on experience and market research for senior cloud engineering roles in London)

Benefits:

  • 27 days annual leave (plus bank holidays)
  • 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

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is based on market research for senior cloud engineering roles in London. Benefits are as advertised on the Citi Global Benefits page.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Financial Services

Company Size: Large (200,000+ employees)

Founded: 1812 (headquarters in New York City, USA)

Team Structure:

  • The Cloud Technology Services (CTS) team is responsible for transforming Citi technology leveraging game-changing Cloud capabilities to drive agility, efficiency, and innovation.
  • The Public Cloud Container Services (Platform Services) team is a part of Citi's broader cloud technology landscape, collaborating with various teams to align with business growth initiatives and priorities.

Development Methodology:

  • Agile methodologies, including Scrum and Kanban, are used to manage cloud projects and drive continuous improvement.
  • Infrastructure as Code (IaC) practices, such as Terraform and GitOps, are employed to ensure consistent, automated, and version-controlled infrastructure.
  • Continuous Integration and Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) pipelines are used to automate testing, deployment, and monitoring of cloud services.

Company Website: Citi

📝 Enhancement Note: Citi's large-scale, enterprise environment requires a strategic thinker with strong leadership and technical skills to drive innovation and automation in the public cloud container services space. The company's global presence and extensive technology landscape offer ample opportunities for growth and collaboration.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Web Technology Career Level: Senior Cloud Engineering Lead

Reporting Structure: Reports directly to the Head of Public Cloud Container Services (Platform Services) within the Cloud Technology Services (CTS) team.

Technical Impact: Leads the strategy and execution of public cloud container services, enabling secure and enterprise-scale adoption of public cloud technologies across Citi's global technology landscape.

Growth Opportunities:

  • Technical Leadership: Progress to a Principal Cloud Architect or Cloud Engineering Director role, driving strategic initiatives and mentoring team members.
  • Architecture & Strategy: Transition to a Cloud Architecture or Cloud Strategy role, focusing on long-term cloud roadmaps and technology trends.
  • Global Expansion: Pursue international assignments or regional leadership roles, driving cloud adoption and innovation across Citi's global footprint.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers significant growth potential, with opportunities to advance to technical leadership, architecture, or strategy positions, as well as international assignments. The large-scale, enterprise environment provides ample opportunities for learning, collaboration, and career progression.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid (2 days working at home per week)

Office Location(s): London, United Kingdom

Workspace Context:

  • Citi's London office offers a modern, collaborative workspace with state-of-the-art technology infrastructure and ergonomic workstations.
  • The hybrid work arrangement provides flexibility, allowing employees to balance work-from-home and on-site collaboration.
  • The office is conveniently located in the heart of London, with easy access to public transportation and nearby amenities.

Work Schedule:

  • Standard working hours are Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM, with a 30-minute lunch break.
  • The hybrid work arrangement allows for flexible working hours, with core hours between 10:00 AM and 3:00 PM.

📝 Enhancement Note: Citi's hybrid work environment offers the best of both worlds, combining the collaboration and resources of an on-site office with the flexibility and convenience of working from home. The modern workspace and convenient location provide an ideal setting for cloud engineering professionals to thrive.

📄 Application & Technical Interview Process

Interview Process:

  1. Phone Screen: A brief phone call to assess your communication skills and cultural fit with Citi.
  2. Technical Deep Dive: A comprehensive technical interview focusing on your cloud engineering expertise, leadership experience, and problem-solving skills. Topics may include:
    • Public cloud services architecture and design patterns
    • Infrastructure as Code (IaC) best practices and tools
    • Cloud security, compliance, and risk management
    • Cloud cost management and optimization strategies
    • Agile methodologies, DevOps, and SRE practices
  3. Leadership Assessment: A leadership-focused interview, evaluating your team-building, strategic thinking, and communication skills. You may be asked to:
    • Describe your experience leading and growing a team of cloud specialists
    • Discuss your approach to driving process improvement and automation initiatives
    • Share examples of your strategic thinking and innovation in a large enterprise environment
  4. Final Round: A meeting with the hiring manager and other key stakeholders to assess your overall fit for the role and Citi's culture.

Portfolio Review Tips:

  • Highlight your cloud engineering expertise, leadership experience, and strategic thinking through case studies, architecture diagrams, and documentation.
  • Tailor your portfolio to demonstrate your ability to drive innovation and automation in a large enterprise environment.
  • Be prepared to discuss your approach to cloud security, compliance, and risk management, as well as your understanding of cloud cost management and optimization strategies.

Technical Challenge Preparation:

  • Brush up on your knowledge of public cloud services, infrastructure as code (IaC) best practices, and cloud security principles.
  • Familiarize yourself with Citi's cloud technology landscape and the role's specific requirements.
  • Prepare for scenario-based questions and case studies, focusing on your problem-solving skills, strategic thinking, and leadership experience.

📝 Enhancement Note: Citi's interview process is designed to assess your technical expertise, leadership experience, and cultural fit with the organization. By preparing for a comprehensive technical deep dive, leadership assessment, and final round, you can demonstrate your ability to drive innovation and automation in the public cloud container services space.

🛠 Technology Stack & Web Infrastructure

Frontend Technologies: Not applicable (focus on cloud infrastructure and backend services)

Backend & Server Technologies:

  • Public Cloud Platforms:
    • Amazon Web Services (AWS) - EKS, EC2, Lambda, etc.
    • Google Cloud Platform (GCP) - GKE, Compute Engine, Cloud Functions, etc.
  • Containerization & Orchestration:
    • Kubernetes - AWS EKS, GCP GKE, etc.
    • Docker
    • Helm
  • Infrastructure as Code (IaC):
    • Terraform
    • CloudFormation
    • Pulumi
  • CI/CD & Automation:
    • Jenkins
    • Harness
    • Tekton
    • GitOps
  • Monitoring & Logging:
    • Prometheus
    • Grafana
    • ELK Stack (Elasticsearch, Logstash, Kibana)
    • Cloud-native observability tools (e.g., OpenTelemetry, Jaeger, Zipkin)

Development & DevOps Tools:

  • Version Control:
    • Git
    • GitHub
    • GitLab
  • Code Quality & Testing:
    • SonarQube
    • Veracode
    • JUnit, TestNG, PyTest
  • Collaboration & Communication:
    • Slack
    • Microsoft Teams
    • Google Workspace (G Suite) - Google Docs, Sheets, Slides
  • Project Management:
    • Jira
    • Asana
    • Trello

📝 Enhancement Note: Citi's cloud engineering stack includes a wide range of public cloud platforms, containerization tools, and infrastructure as code (IaC) technologies. Familiarity with these tools and best practices is essential for success in this role.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Web Development Values:

  • Client Focus: Prioritize client satisfaction and business value in all cloud engineering initiatives.
  • Innovation & Automation: Continuously seek opportunities to improve processes, drive automation, and leverage emerging technologies.
  • Collaboration & Knowledge Sharing: Foster a culture of open communication, active listening, and continuous learning.
  • Quality & Reliability: Ensure high-quality, reliable, and secure cloud services that meet Citi's standards and client expectations.
  • Agility & Adaptability: Embrace change and quickly respond to evolving business needs and technology trends.

Collaboration Style:

  • Cross-Functional Integration: Work closely with various teams, including software developers, designers, and business stakeholders, to align cloud engineering initiatives with business growth and priorities.
  • Code Review & Peer Programming: Encourage active code review and peer programming practices to ensure knowledge sharing and high-quality cloud services.
  • Mentoring & Technical Leadership: Provide guidance, support, and technical mentorship to help team members grow and develop their skills.

📝 Enhancement Note: Citi's cloud engineering team values client focus, innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning. By embracing these values and fostering a culture of open communication and knowledge sharing, you can drive success in this role and contribute to Citi's ongoing transformation.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Technical Challenges:

  • Cloud Security & Compliance: Ensure the security and compliance of Citi's public cloud services, balancing innovation with risk management and regulatory requirements.
  • Cloud Cost Optimization: Identify and implement cost-saving strategies without compromising the quality, reliability, or security of Citi's cloud services.
  • Emerging Technologies: Stay up-to-date with the latest cloud technologies, trends, and best practices, and evaluate their potential application to Citi's cloud engineering landscape.
  • Enterprise Integration: Collaborate with various teams to integrate cloud services with Citi's existing technology stack, ensuring seamless user experiences and efficient business processes.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

  • Cloud Engineering Specialization: Deepen your expertise in public cloud services, infrastructure as code (IaC), and emerging technologies through training, certifications, and hands-on projects.
  • Leadership Development: Enhance your leadership skills through mentoring, coaching, and formal training programs, preparing you for technical leadership roles within Citi's cloud engineering organization.
  • Architecture & Design: Develop your architectural and design skills, enabling you to drive strategic initiatives and shape Citi's long-term cloud roadmap.

📝 Enhancement Note: Citi's large-scale, enterprise environment presents numerous technical challenges and growth opportunities for cloud engineering professionals. By embracing these challenges and pursuing continuous learning and development, you can drive innovation and success in this role and throughout your career.

💡 Interview Preparation

Technical Questions:

  • Cloud Architecture & Design:
    • Describe your approach to designing and implementing secure, scalable, and highly available cloud architectures.
    • How do you ensure cloud services comply with relevant security standards, policies, and regulations?
    • Can you discuss your experience with cloud cost optimization and management strategies?
  • Infrastructure as Code (IaC):
    • How do you ensure the consistency, automation, and version control of cloud infrastructure using IaC tools?
    • Can you share examples of your IaC best practices and troubleshooting experiences?
  • Leadership & Team Building:
    • Describe your approach to leading and growing a team of cloud specialists, fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration.
    • How do you drive process improvement and automation initiatives, balancing business needs with technical constraints?
    • Can you provide examples of your strategic thinking and innovation in a large enterprise environment?

Company & Culture Questions:

  • Citi's Cloud Technology Landscape: How do you see this role contributing to Citi's ongoing cloud transformation and driving business value?
  • Cloud Engineering Team Dynamics: How do you collaborate with various teams to align cloud engineering initiatives with business growth and priorities?
  • Citi's Global Presence: How do you approach working with teams across different time zones and regions, ensuring consistent cloud services and best practices?

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

  • Cloud Engineering Expertise: Highlight your deep understanding of public cloud services, infrastructure as code (IaC), and cloud security principles through case studies, architecture diagrams, and documentation.
  • Leadership & Strategic Thinking: Demonstrate your ability to drive innovation, automation, and process improvement initiatives in a large enterprise environment.
  • Collaboration & Communication: Showcase your ability to work effectively with various teams, balancing business needs with technical constraints and ensuring high-quality, reliable cloud services.

📝 Enhancement Note: Citi's interview process is designed to assess your technical expertise, leadership experience, and cultural fit with the organization. By preparing for a comprehensive technical deep dive, leadership assessment, and final round, you can demonstrate your ability to drive innovation and automation in the public cloud container services space.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Cloud Engineer Lead - Public Cloud Container Services (Platform Services) – SVP role at Citi:

  1. Tailor Your Portfolio: Highlight your cloud engineering expertise, leadership experience, and strategic thinking through case studies, architecture diagrams, and documentation, demonstrating your ability to drive innovation and automation in a large enterprise environment.
  2. Optimize Your Resume: Emphasize your relevant cloud engineering skills, leadership experience, and strategic thinking, ensuring your resume is keyword-rich and tailored to this role.
  3. Prepare for Technical Challenges: Brush up on your knowledge of public cloud services, infrastructure as code (IaC) best practices, and cloud security principles. Familiarize yourself with Citi's cloud technology landscape and the role's specific requirements. Prepare for scenario-based questions and case studies, focusing on your problem-solving skills, strategic thinking, and leadership experience.
  4. Research Citi's Cloud Technology Landscape: Understand Citi's cloud engineering organization, its ongoing transformation, and how this role contributes to driving business value. Prepare for company-specific questions and be ready to discuss your approach to working with various teams and aligning cloud engineering initiatives with business growth and priorities.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and web development/server administration industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.

Application Requirements

Candidates should have deep expertise in public cloud services and a proven track record in engineering leadership. Experience with Infrastructure as Code, Agile, and DevOps practices is essential.