Senior Java Architect

Falconsmartit; Greater London; On-site; GBP 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Falconsmartit 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 demands deep expertise in payments, banking operations, messaging architectures, cloud-native platforms, AI-driven engineering, and enterprise solution architecture.

You will architect high-volume payment platforms, design event-driven systems with Kafka and NATS, drive AI-led software engineering, and steer

Qualifications

• 15+ years in software engineering with leadership roles.
• 8+ years in Architecture or leading engineering.
• Experience delivering banking and payment solutions.
• Deep knowledge of Java, Spring Boot, Spring Cloud, and Microservices.
• Expertise in Kafka, NATS, event streaming, API design, and integration patterns.
• Hands-on with Oracle and PostgreSQL, data modelling, performance tuning, and high availability.

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.
• Lead 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

Java

Spring Boot

Spring Cloud

Microservices

Kafka

NATS

Event streaming

API architecture

Integration patterns

Oracle

PostgreSQL

Data modelling

Performance tuning

High availability

Stakeholder management

Leadership

Communication

Kubernetes

Docker

GitHub Copilot

Claude Code

Cursor

Tools

Kubernetes

Docker

Job description

Job Location: London, UK (4 days per week from office)

Job Type : Contract (6 months ) / 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