Senior Java Architect

Avance Consulting; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Avance Consulting in London, UK is seeking an experienced Java Engineering Architect to lead the design and delivery of enterprise-scale banking and payments platforms.

The role requires deep expertise in payments, banking operations, messaging architectures, cloud-native platforms, AI-driven engineering, and enterprise solution architecture. This hybrid role combines hands-on design with leadership across engineering teams and senior stakeholders.

Qualifications

• 15+ years in software engineering with 8+ years in architecture or lead engineering.
• Proven track record delivering banking and payment solutions.
• Expert in Java, Spring Boot, Spring Cloud and microservices.
• Deep knowledge of Kafka, NATS, event streaming and API integration.
• Hands-on with Oracle and PostgreSQL, data modelling and high-availability systems.
• Excellent stakeholder management, leadership and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Architect high-volume payment platforms including real-time payments, SWIFT, ISO 20022, settlement, reconciliation and compliance.
• Design event-driven and messaging architectures using Kafka, NATS and microservices.
• Drive AI-led software engineering using GenAI tools (e.g., GitHub Copilot, Claude Code).
• Lead cloud-native platform design using Kubernetes, Docker and modern DevOps practices.
• Mentor engineering teams, define technology roadmaps, and engage with senior stakeholders.

Skills

Java

Spring Boot

Spring Cloud

Microservices

Kafka

NATS

API architecture

Data modelling

Oracle

PostgreSQL

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Tools

GitHub Copilot

Claude Code

Cursor

LLM-based development

Kubernetes

Docker

Job description

London, UK (4 days office in a week)

Permanent

Role Summary:

Seeking an experienced Java Engineering Architect to lead the design and delivery of enterprise-scale banking and payments platforms. The role requires deep expertise in payments, banking operations, messaging architectures, cloud-native platforms, AI-driven engineering, and enterprise solution architecture.

Key Responsibilities:

• Architect high-volume payment platforms covering real-time payments, SWIFT, ISO 20022, settlement, reconciliation, and compliance.
• Design event-driven and messaging architectures using Kafka, NATS, and microservices.
• Drive AI-led software engineering using tools such as GitHub Copilot, Claude Code, Cursor, and LLM-based development frameworks.
• Lead cloud-native platform design using Kubernetes, Docker, and modern DevOps practices.
• Manage and mentor engineering teams, define technology roadmaps, and engage with senior stakeholders.

Required Skills & Experience:

• Min 15+ years in software engineering, including 8+ years in Architecture or Led Engineering roles.
• Strong experience delivering banking and payment solutions.
• Expert in Java, Spring Boot, Spring Cloud, and Microservices.
• Deep knowledge of Kafka, NATS, event streaming, API architecture, and integration patterns.
• Hands-on expertise with Oracle, PostgreSQL, data modelling, performance tuning, and high-availability systems.
• Excellent stakeholder management, leadership, and communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Banking or Financial Services background.
• Experience leading large-scale transformation and modernization programs.
• TOGAF, Kubernetes, Cloud, or Architecture certifications.
• Experience building AI-enabled engineering organizations and integrating GenAI/LLM solutions into enterprise platforms