PROVIDENCE – Citizens Financial Group Inc. is hiring hundreds of additional software engineers – including many who will work in Rhode Island – to upgrade the bank’s digital offerings, Citizens said Wednesday.
The extra software engineers are permanent positions and will be clustered in four locations: Rhode Island, with many likely to work at the company’s $285 million office campus in Johnston, which opened about a year ago; as well as in Boston; Charlotte, N.C.; and Nashville, Tenn.
Providence-based Citizens is establishing “technology hubs” at the four locales, where the new hires will be concentrated as they work to expand and fine-tune the bank’s online, digital, and “fintech” capabilities, according to Citizens.
The bank was not more specific about the number of software engineers being added, except to say it will be more than 200.
“We have built the essential foundation for innovation at the bank by fostering a culture that prioritizes digital-savvy talent, development and continuous improvement,” Citizens Chief Information Officer Michael Ruttledge said in a statement.
“Our objective is to deliver exceptional end-to-end customer experiences by using the most innovative solutions,” Ruttledge added.
The number of software engineers to be hired in Rhode Island is undetermined and will ultimately depend on where they are needed companywide, the bank said.
Citizens already has numerous software engineers on its payroll, but the new hires will be additional positions that the bank will need to increase, maintain, and periodically update the bank’s digital capabilities, said Citizens spokesman Frank Quaratiello.
Citizens is growing its technical staff as the bank prepares to host its second annual “hackathon” from Oct. 4 through Oct. 6 at District Hall in Boston’s Seaport District.
A main purpose of the event is to develop “data-driven solutions to overcome daily operational challenges,” according to Citizens.
“The event is a chance for talented software engineers to get noticed by the company, though there is no guarantee they will be hired,” Quaratiello added.
Scott Blake is a PBN staff writer. Email him at Blake@PBN.com
