Senior Lead Automation Engineer

Job Summary

We are looking for a highly accomplished Senior Lead Automation Engineer to drive the strategy, architecture, and implementation of our enterprise-wide automation solutions. This role is critical for leading the development of robust, scalable automation across our diverse technology stack, including Infrastructure (Network, Virtualization, OS, DB), Middleware, and Applications. The ideal candidate will be an expert in Ansible, Python, and CI/CD pipelines, with a proven track record of building advanced automation frameworks from the ground up, applying market best practices. This position requires strong technical leadership, cross-functional influence, and a passion for fostering an automation-first culture to significantly enhance operational efficiency and system reliability.

Key Responsibilities

• Automation Strategy & Architecture: Define and lead the enterprise automation strategy and architectural roadmap for infrastructure, middleware, and applications.
• Ansible Platform Leadership: Serve as the principal architect for Ansible, establishing best practices, governance, and driving its widespread adoption and maturity.
• Cross-Domain Automation: Design and implement end-to-end automation solutions spanning Networking, Virtualization, Operating Systems, Databases, Middleware (e.g., app servers, message brokers), and Application deployment/management.
• CI/CD & GitOps: Architect, build, and optimize robust CI/CD pipelines for automation code and system deployments, embracing GitOps principles.
• Technical Leadership & Mentorship: Provide strong technical guidance, mentorship, and foster continuous learning within the automation engineering team.
• Innovation & Best Practices: Continuously evaluate new automation technologies, enforce industry best practices, and embed security/compliance into automation workflows.
• Collaboration & Influence: Partner with engineering, operations, and application teams to identify opportunities and integrate automation for improved efficiency and reliability.

Required Qualifications

• Experience: 10+ years in automation, DevOps, or SRE, with 5+ years in a lead or architectural role.
  • Proven experience architecting and implementing large-scale Ansible automation platforms from initial setup to enterprise-wide adoption.
  • Demonstrated success automating complex processes across multiple distinct IT domains (e.g., Network, Virtualization, OS, Database, Middleware, Applications).
• Technical Skills:
  • Automation Platforms: Expert-level Ansible (including Tower/AWX, event-driven automation).
  • Programming: Advanced Python for scripting, API integration, and tool development.
  • CI/CD & DevOps: Deep expertise with Jenkins, GitLab CI/CD, Azure DevOps, or similar, and GitOps.
  • Infrastructure-as-Code (IaC): Terraform or equivalent.
  • Broad Automation Domain Expertise: Proven ability to automate across Networking, Virtualization, Operating Systems, Databases, Middleware, and Applications.
  • Tools: Git, APIs (RESTful, GraphQL), Docker, Kubernetes.
  • Observability: Experience integrating automation with monitoring (Prometheus, Grafana) and logging (ELK stack, Splunk).
• Education: Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related field, or equivalent practical experience.
• Soft Skills:
  • Strong leadership, strategic thinking, and architectural acumen.
  • Excellent communication and ability to influence stakeholders.
  • Superior analytical and problem-solving skills for complex, multi-domain challenges.
  • Proven mentorship and team development abilities.
  • Proactive, self-driven, and a passion for operational excellence.

Preferred Qualifications

• Relevant industry certifications (e.g., Red Hat Certified Engineer - Ansible, CKA, AWS/Azure/GCP DevOps).
• Experience with other orchestration tools, AIOps, or security automation frameworks.
• Experience in the financial services industry.

Why Join Us?

Be a transformative leader shaping our operational future. Architect and implement next-generation automation that enhances agility, reduces technical debt, and ensures resilience across our global infrastructure, middleware, and application ecosystems. Make a significant impact and drive innovation in a challenging, rewarding environment.

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Job Family Group:

Technology

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Job Family:

Systems & Engineering

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Time Type:

Full time

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Primary Location:

Irving Texas United States

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Primary Location Full Time Salary Range:

$125,760.00 - $188,640.00

In addition to salary, Citi’s offerings may also include, for eligible employees, discretionary and formulaic incentive and retention awards. Citi offers competitive employee benefits, including: medical, dental & vision coverage; 401(k); life, accident, and disability insurance; and wellness programs. Citi also offers paid time off packages, including planned time off (vacation), unplanned time off (sick leave), and paid holidays. For additional information regarding Citi employee benefits, please visit citibenefits.com. Available offerings may vary by jurisdiction, job level, and date of hire.

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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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Anticipated Posting Close Date:

Mar 11, 2026

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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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