Principal Lead, API & AI Enterprise Integration Services

First Abu Dhabi Bank; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 450,000 - 750,000; Full time

Job summary

First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) seeks a senior engineering leader to define and execute the API-first, domain-driven strategy across multiple value streams in the UAE. You will lead cross-functional teams responsible for building scalable, secure platform services and promoting API reuse to enable rapid digital transformation.

You will mentor engineering teams, drive collaboration with architecture, security, and operations, and ensure governance and risk practices are embedded while pursuing

Qualifications

• 15+ years of overall experience, with 10+ years in banking.
• API-first implementation experience across the SDLC.
• Experience ensuring architectural integrity, scalability, and performance.
• Proficient in CI/CD, DevSecOps, and test automation.
• Experience leading platform modernization and domain-driven design.
• Build and mentor high-performing engineering teams.

Responsibilities

• Define and lead the strategic vision for API, AI, and domain services engineering across value streams.
• Lead teams to build reusable domain services and promote API reuse across value streams.
• Collaborate with product owners, architects, and engineering leads across value streams.
• Identify common capabilities and build shared services to support multiple domains.
• Ensure platform services are extensible, discoverable, and well-documented.
• Adopt emerging technologies (e.g., GenAI Agentic).
• Maintain delivery roadmaps, capacity plans, and resource forecasts.
• Ensure compliance with IT governance, risk, and regulatory requirements.

Skills

Strategic engineering leadership

API-first mindset

Domain-driven design

Cross-functional collaboration

GenAI adoption

Tools

CI/CD tooling

DevSecOps tooling

GenAI tooling

Job description

JOB SUMMARY / INTRODUCTION

• Define and lead the strategic vision for API, AI, and domain services engineering across the value streams.


• Break the bank into reusable API services by decomposing legacy systems into modular, discoverable, and consumable capabilities.


• Provide engineering leadership to build scalable, secure, and scalable platforms that power digital transformation.


• Drive cross-value stream collaboration to ensure platform services are aligned with business outcomes and domain-specific needs.


• Foster innovation and operational excellence through modern engineering practices and emerging technologies.
  

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead engineering teams in building robust domain services.


• Promote API reuse and developer enablement across value streams.


• Define and evolve the enterprise API, AI, and domain services strategy.


• Collaborate with product owners, architects, and engineering leads across value streams.


• Identify common capabilities and build shared services to support multiple domains.


• Ensure platform services are extensible, discoverable, and well-documented.


• Adopt emerging technologies (e.g., GenAI Agentic).


• Provide leadership to delivery teams, fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.


• Maintain delivery roadmaps, capacity plans, and resource forecasts.


• Ensure compliance with IT governance, risk, and regulatory requirements.


• Collaborate with enterprise architecture, security, infrastructure, and operations teams.


• Track and report KPIs, including audit and risk metrics.


• Promote a culture of innovation, agility, and continuous learning.
  

REQUIREMENTS / QUALIFICATIONS

• Exp Overall: 15+ Years, Banking 10+ Years.


• Implement API-first - prioritizes APIs at the beginning of the SDLC process, positioning APIs as the building blocks.


• Ensure domain services reflect real-world business capabilities and priorities.


• Ensure architectural integrity, scalability, and performance of platform components.


• Promote engineering best practices, including CI/CD, DevSecOps, and test automation.


• Translate enterprise goals into platform engineering strategies.


• Champion platform modernization and domain-driven design.


• Build and mentor high-performing engineering teams.

About Us:
First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) is the largest bank in the UAE and one of the world's largest and safest financial institutions. We offer a comprehensive range of personal and private banking services, including credit cards, Islamic banking, investments, loans, and mortgages. Our commitment to excellence and innovation drives us to provide top-tier financial solutions to our clients.

Life at FAB:
Working at FAB means being part of a team of talented and passionate individuals with a shared vision to support the ambitions of our stakeholders to \"Grow Stronger.\" We embrace the needs of our customers across the globe with a sense of responsibility and confidence driven by extensive expertise that can only be delivered by an ambitious world-class organization

Career Development:
FAB offers unique career choices, a chance to innovate, craft solutions for the future, and express yourself in a performance-based culture that will unleash the best in you. Whether you are an experienced professional or just starting your career, FAB provides a range of learning and development initiatives to support all employees through training and skill development.

Our Values:
At FAB, we place our customers at the core of our activities, live our values each day in every way, celebrate achievements, and empower each other to deliver leading solutions. We have structured plans for the recruitment and career progression of Emirati talent to enable them to make a mark in the financial and banking sector both regionally and globaly that rewards your hard work and dedication.

Join our team and be part of a journey to shape the future of banking.