Solution Architect – Open Finance & Digital Banking (m/f/d)

Halian | Managed Services, Recruitment Agency & Contract Staffing; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 360,000 - 600,000; Full time

Job summary

Halian Group is recruiting an experienced Solution Architect for Open Finance and Digital Banking in Abu Dhabi. You will design and deliver a regulated API ecosystem, oversee architecture across retail, SME, and corporate banking, and lead AI-driven architectural innovations.

You will collaborate with product, risk, and executive teams to translate business strategy into scalable technical roadmaps while ensuring regulatory and security compliance across the platform.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in solution architecture in digital banking, Open Banking/Open Finance, and regulated API platforms.
• Strong knowledge of UAE Open Finance framework (CBUAE, FAPI 2.0, mTLS, SCA).
• Experience designing enterprise-scale API platforms and delivering API-driven ecosystems.
• Hands-on with API gateways (Kong or similar) and cloud platforms (AWS).
• Deep understanding of security, identity and compliance frameworks (OAuth2, OIDC, FAPI; SOC2, BCBS 239, PDPL).
• Experience in Tier-1 banking or regulated environments.
• Strong stakeholder management across exec and engineering levels.
• Experience leveraging AI in architecture/SDLC processes.

Responsibilities

• Own and evolve the end-to-end solution architecture for the Woven platform and Open Finance API ecosystem.
• Design scalable API architecture covering regulated Open Finance APIs and direct-to-partner offerings.
• Define and manage API platform strategy, including developer portals, onboarding, and API monetisation.
• Lead the design and implementation of API control planes (e.g., Kong, OpenMeter).
• Produce and maintain ADRs and ensure alignment across stakeholders.
• Ensure compliance with CBUAE Open Finance regulations, security standards, and governance frameworks.
• Embed risk, compliance, and audit controls into architecture and delivery pipelines.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including product, engineering, risk, and executive leadership.
• Provide architectural oversight across Retail, SME, and Corporate banking domains.
• Drive adoption of AI-enabled architecture practices, including automation of design and documentation.

Skills

Digital banking

Open Banking

Open Finance

Regulated API

API gateways

Kong API Gateway

AWS

Microservices

Event-driven

OAuth2/OIDC

FAPI

SOC2

BCBS 239

PDPL

Stakeholder management

AI in architecture

Tools

Kong API Gateway

AWS

Job description

A leading financial institution in the UAE is seeking an experienced Solution Architect – Open Finance & Digital Banking to join its Open Finance and Woven platform team. This role will play a critical part in designing and delivering a regulated Open Finance ecosystem, driving large-scale digital banking transformation, and enabling seamless API-led integrations for partners and fintechs.

Responsibilities

• Own and evolve the end-to-end solution architecture for the Woven platform and Open Finance API ecosystem
• Design and implement a scalable API architecture covering both:
  • Regulated Open Finance APIs (CBUAE compliant)
  • Direct-to-partner commercial API offerings
• Define and manage API platform strategy, including developer portals, partner onboarding, and API monetisation
• Lead the design and implementation of API control planes (e.g., Kong, OpenMeter)
• Produce and maintain architecture decision records (ADRs) and ensure alignment across stakeholders
• Ensure compliance with CBUAE Open Finance regulations, security standards, and governance frameworks
• Embed risk, compliance, and audit controls into architecture and delivery pipelines
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including product, engineering, risk, and executive leadership
• Provide architectural oversight across Retail, SME, and Corporate banking domains
• Drive adoption of AI-enabled architecture practices, including automation of design, documentation, and governance workflows
• Translate business strategies into technical solutions and implementation roadmaps
• Continuously assess emerging technologies and provide innovation-led recommendations

Qualifications And Skills

• 10+ years of experience in solution architecture within:
  • Digital banking
  • Open Banking / Open Finance
  • Regulated API platforms
• Strong knowledge of UAE Open Finance framework (CBUAE, FAPI 2.0, mTLS, SCA)
• Proven experience designing and delivering enterprise-scale API platforms
• Hands-on experience with:
  • API gateways (Kong or similar)
  • Cloud platforms (AWS preferred)
  • Microservices and event-driven architectures
• Deep understanding of security, identity, and compliance frameworks:
  • OAuth2, OIDC, FAPI
  • SOC2, BCBS 239, PDPL
• Experience working within Tier-1 banking or regulated environments
• Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to engage at both executive and engineering levels
• Demonstrated experience leveraging AI in architecture or SDLC processes (e.g., automation, documentation, testing)
• Ability to work independently and drive strategic technical decisions

Halian Group

With over 28 years of experience, we have come to understand that innovation is the only way to provide agile, practical solutions that transform businesses and careers.

Our resourcing and smart services help you to realize tomorrow’s potential. Discover the amazing things possible when you bring the right people and the right technologies together.

At Halian, we recognize that diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are essential to building high-performing teams for our clients. We are committed to connecting organizations with top talent from all backgrounds, ensuring that every individual feels valued, respected, and empowered to contribute their unique perspectives. We encourage applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of race, gender, disability, or any other characteristic that makes them unique. By fostering diverse and inclusive workplaces, we help our clients drive innovation, enhance collaboration, and better reflect the communities they serve.

Solution Architect – Open Finance & Digital Banking in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates