Senior Java Engineering Architect

Senior Java Engineering Architect – Banking, Payments & AI-Driven EngineeringLocationLondon / (4 days/week from office; 1 day/week from home)Contract OR FTE Role SummaryWe are seeking a highly experienced Java Engineering Architect to lead the architecture, design, and delivery of next-generation Banking and Payment platforms. The ideal candidate will have deep expertise in payment engines, banking operations, messaging architecture, integration patterns, cloud-native engineering, and AI-driven software delivery.This role requires a strong technology leader who can define enterprise architecture, drive engineering excellence, lead large backend engineering teams, and leverage AI-powered development practices to accelerate software delivery and innovation.Key ResponsibilitiesPayments & Banking DomainDesign and architect high-volume, mission-critical payment processing platforms.Provide deep expertise in: Payment engines, Payment orchestration, Real-time payments, SWIFTISO 20022, Settlement and clearing systems, Banking operational workflows, Reconciliation systemsRegulatory and compliance-driven architectureCollaborate with business and operations teams to modernize banking platforms.Messaging & Integration ArchitectureArchitect enterprise messaging hubs and event-driven ecosystems.Define integration strategies leveraging: Kafka / NATS, Event Streaming Platforms, Microservices Event-Driven ArchitectureDrive architecture patterns for asynchronous processing and large-scale distributed systems.Design highly decoupled and configurable integration frameworks.AI-Led Engineering & SDLC TransformationChampion AI-powered software engineering practices across the SDLC.Drive adoption of Claude Code, GitHub Copilot, CursorLLM-powered engineering toolsDefine AI-first engineering frameworks enabling accelerated delivery while maintaining engineering quality.Cloud Native & Platform EngineeringDesign and govern cloud-native application platforms using Kubernetes, DockerEnsure platforms support high availability, resilience, scalability, and operational excellence.Required Skills & ExperienceCore Architecture15+ years of software engineering experience.8+ years in Solution Architecture, Enterprise Architecture, or Principal Engineering roles.Proven experience delivering enterprise-scale Banking and Payment solutions.Java & Backend EngineeringExpert-level knowledge of: Java, Spring Boot, Spring Cloud, MicroservicesMessaging & IntegrationDeep expertise in Messaging Hub architecture.Strong experience with: Kafka, NATS, Event Streaming PlatformsExpert understanding of: Integration patterns, Enterprise Integration Architecture, Messaging patterns, API architecture, Event-driven architectureDatabasesStrong expertise in: Oracle, PostgreSQLData modelling, performance tuning, HA/DR architecture, and transaction-heavy systems.Preferred QualificationsBanking or Financial Services industry background.Experience with large-scale modernization and transformation programs.TOGAF, Kubernetes, Cloud, or Architecture certifications.Experience building AI-enabled engineering organizations.Exposure to GenAI and Enterprise LLM integration patterns.