Senior Java Architect

W3Global; Greater London; On-site; GBP 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

W3Global is seeking a senior software architect to own the design of high-volume payment platforms and real-time payments solutions in Greater London. You will lead event-driven architectures, drive AI-assisted software development, and oversee cloud-native platform design while mentoring engineering teams and aligning with senior stakeholders.

The role demands extensive banking and payments domain expertise, strong Java/Spring tech, and a proven track record in large-scale modernization

Qualifications

• 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.

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.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Stakeholder management

Architectural leadership

Banking domain knowledge

Cloud-native architecture

Java

Spring Boot

Spring Cloud

Microservices

Kafka

NATS

Kubernetes

Docker

GitHub Copilot

Claude Code

Cursor

LLM frameworks

Oracle

PostgreSQL

Tools

Java

Spring Boot

Spring Cloud

Microservices

Kafka

NATS

Kubernetes

Docker

GitHub Copilot

Claude Code

Cursor

LLM-based development frameworks

Oracle

PostgreSQL

Job description

• 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.

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