Payments Architect

JR United Kingdom; Chester; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

A forward-thinking company is looking for a Payments Architect to lead the design and implementation of innovative payment solutions. This role demands a blend of technical leadership and business analysis skills, ensuring compliance with global payment standards. You will engage with regulators and payment schemes, driving modernization initiatives and real-time payment processing. Join a dynamic team focused on transforming payment systems and enhancing client experiences in the fintech landscape. If you are passionate about payment architecture and thrive in a collaborative environment, this opportunity is perfect for you.

Qualifications

• 10+ years in Payment Architecture and Business Analysis in banking or fintech.
• Expertise in payment systems, including SEPA, RTGS, and SWIFT standards.

Responsibilities

• Architect and design payment solutions aligned with global standards.
• Lead ISO 20022 migration projects and collaborate with regulators.

Skills

Payment Architecture

Business Analysis

SEPA SCT & Instant

RTGS

SWIFT (MT/MX)

ISO 20022

Real-time Payments

Agile Methodologies

Job description

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We are seeking a Payments Architect with strong expertise in payment system architecture, clearing mechanisms, and business analysis. The ideal candidate should have experience in SEPA (SCT & Instant), RTGS, ACH, ISO 20022 migration, SWIFT messaging (MT/MX), and cross-border payments.

This role requires both technical leadership and business analysis proficiency, ensuring seamless design and implementation of payment solutions while engaging with regulators, payment schemes, and internal stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Architect and design payment solutions aligned with global standards, including SEPA SCT/Instant, RTGS, ACH, & TARGET2.
2. Lead ISO 20022 migration projects, ensuring alignment with SWIFT MX and GPI standards.
3. Collaborate with regulators and payment schemes to facilitate participation in payment networks.
4. Conduct gap analysis and requirement validation to ensure completeness and accuracy in payment system implementations.
5. Drive payment system modernization initiatives, including real-time payment processing, accelerated settlements, and API-based payment integrations.
6. Lead business analysis activities, including functional requirement gathering, solution documentation, and process reengineering.

Required Skills & Experience:

1. 10+ years of experience in Payment Architecture, Solution Design, and Business Analysis within banking or fintech sectors.
2. Expertise in SEPA SCT & Instant, RTGS, ACH, SWIFT (MT/MX), ISO 20022, and real-time payments.
3. Strong knowledge of payment settlement mechanisms and FX integration.
4. Experience working with payment system regulators and participating in payment schemes (direct/indirect).
5. Proficiency in requirement gathering, process mapping, and gap analysis to identify and mitigate missed requirements.
6. Hands-on experience with payment orchestration, billing integration, and high/low-value payment processing.
7. Experience with Agile methodologies, working with cross-functional teams in financial institutions or fintech environments.
8. Ability to engage with stakeholders across business, operations, IT, and regulatory bodies to ensure smooth implementation of payment solutions.

About Us:

Ascendion is a global provider of AI-first software engineering services, delivering transformative solutions across North America, APAC, and Europe. Headquartered in New Jersey, we combine technology and talent to provide tech debt relief, improve engineering productivity, and accelerate time to value, driving our clients’ digital journeys efficiently. Guided by our “Engineering to the power of AI” (EngineeringAI) methodology, we integrate AI into software engineering, enterprise operations, and talent orchestration to address trust, speed, and capital challenges. For more information, visit www.ascendion.com.