Solution Architect / Systems Architect / Principal Engineer

Role: Solution Architect / Systems Architect / Principal Engineer 

Domain: Banking / FinTech | Distributed Systems | Integration & Data 

Role Purpose 

Lead architecture design and delivery across a complex, highly integrated banking ecosystem. Design scalable, resilient, and compliant systems while working closely with business, product, and engineering. Operate across all levels - from deep technical design to enterprise architecture - ensuring outcomes are delivered in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment. Able to iterate designs quickly as requirements evolve or more details are provided.

Core Responsibilities 

• Architecture & Design
• Own end-to-end architecture across distributed, event-driven, and integration-heavy systems.
• Design at multiple levels: components, services, APIs, data models, and system interactions.
• Define solutions covering data processing, storage, replication, and consistency models.
• Lead data lifecycle design, including migration strategies, transformation, and reconciliation in regulated environments.
• Balance long-term architecture with pragmatic delivery needs.
• Integration & Data
• Architect complex integrations across internal and external systems (core banking, payments, fraud, loan, credit cards, overdraft, etc.).
• Drive API-first and event-driven architectures.
• Ensure robust data flow, integrity, and observability across systems.
• Design for high availability, scalability, and fault tolerance in distributed environments.
• Delivery & Technical Leadership
• Drive initiatives end-to-end (“nothing too big or too small” mindset).
• Provide hands-on input in design and problem-solving when required.
• Identify and manage risks in complex, multi-system programmes.
• Ensure solutions are operable, monitored, and supportable in production.
• Collaboration
• Work closely with product, business, and engineering leads to shape and refine designs.
• Participate and lead design discussions at all levels (team to enterprise).
• Translate business needs into clear, actionable technical solutions.

Technical Skills 

• Strong experience in banking / fintech systems (core banking, payments, ledgers).
• Deep expertise in distributed systems, microservices, and event-driven architectures.
• Proven experience in integration patterns (APIs, messaging, streaming).
• Solid understanding of: Data architecture (storage, replication, consistency)
• Data processing and migration in complex environments
• Performance, resilience, security and observability
• Experience with cloud platforms, containers, and modern DevOps/SRE practices.
• Experience modernising and integrating/migrating legacy systems.

Behaviors & Soft Skills 

• Ownership & Execution: Drives work through to completion; delivery-focused and pragmatic.
• Adaptability: Adjusts designs quickly as requirements or constraints evolve.
• Collaboration & Influence: Works effectively across business, product, and engineering; builds alignment.
• Communication: Clearly explains complex ideas to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Hands-on Leadership: Leads by example; willing to engage in detail when needed.
• Resilience: Comfortable working in complex, fast-paced, high-pressure environments.
• Judgement: Balances strategic thinking with practical execution.

Ideal Profile 

• Staff / Principal Engineer or Architect with strong fintech or banking experience.
• Proven delivery in complex, integration-heavy environments with many moving parts.
• Comfortable operating across all architectural layers and driving outcomes in ambiguous situations.
• Computer Science / Engineering degree qualified