Generalist Solution Architect in London

We are seeking an experienced Solution Architect to lead the end-to-end solution architecture for large-scale digital transformation initiatives within the banking and financial services domain. The ideal candidate will be responsible for defining scalable, secure, and event-driven architecture solutions while ensuring seamless integration across multiple business domains. This role requires strong technical leadership, collaboration with cross-functional teams, and governance of architectural standards throughout the project lifecycle.

Key Responsibilities

• Own the end-to-end solution architecture and High-Level Design (HLD) across multiple workstreams.
• Define and implement event-driven architecture patterns using technologies such as Kafka, event streaming, and asynchronous processing.
• Manage cross-domain dependencies and ensure consistent integration across enterprise platforms.
• Provide architecture governance, conduct design reviews, and obtain technical approvals from key stakeholders.
• Collaborate closely with Integration Architects, Data Architects, Technical Leads, and distributed delivery teams.
• Ensure solutions meet non-functional requirements (NFRs), including scalability, performance, resilience, security, availability, and regulatory compliance.
• Lead architecture workshops, technical design sessions, vendor evaluations, and governance forums.
• Develop and maintain the enterprise architecture roadmap while identifying and managing technical debt.
• Provide technical leadership and mentoring to development and architecture teams.
• Ensure alignment with enterprise architecture standards, best practices, and business objectives.

Required Experience

• 10–15 years of overall IT experience with at least 5 years in a Solution Architect role.
• Proven experience delivering large-scale transformation programs within banking or financial services.
• Strong experience across multiple financial domains, including Payments, KYC, Billing, Treasury, and Banking Operations.
• Demonstrated experience leading architecture activities for complex enterprise applications.
• Experience working with globally distributed teams, including offshore delivery models.
• Excellent stakeholder management, communication, and leadership skills.

Technical Skills

• Strong expertise in event-driven architecture using Kafka, event buses, streaming platforms, and asynchronous messaging.
• Deep understanding of microservices architecture, RESTful APIs, and cloud-native application design.
• Hands-on experience with cloud platforms such as Microsoft Azure and/or AWS.
• Strong knowledge of enterprise integration patterns and API-first architecture.
• Familiarity with containerization and orchestration technologies such as Docker and Kubernetes is desirable.
• Experience with architecture documentation, solution design, and governance processes.
• Knowledge of TOGAF or other enterprise architecture frameworks is highly desirable.

Domain Knowledge

Strong understanding of modern banking and financial services.