Chief Architect

Octopus Holdings Limited; Hong Kong; On-site; HKD 1,200,000 - 2,100,000; Full time

Job summary

Octopus Holdings Limited seeks a Design Authority to lead end-to-end application and enterprise architecture across mission-critical systems and digital platforms in Hong Kong. You will set governance, standards, and roadmaps, partnering with product, engineering, and security teams to ensure scalable, secure, and resilient delivery.

The role emphasizes cloud migration, AI/automation evaluation, and modernization initiatives, with strong stakeholder influence and a track record of complex system

Qualifications

• 15+ years of IT experience with enterprise & application architecture.
• Experience with cloud-based, hybrid, or modernizing platforms.
• Strong knowledge of system integration, APIs, security, resilience, and governance.
• Proven track record delivering complex, mission-critical systems.

Responsibilities

• Oversee end-to-end application architecture design and enterprise framework.
• Define and lead architecture strategy across critical systems and platforms.
• Establish governance, standards, and review processes for quality and scalability.
• Partner with product, engineering, security, and business to map goals to roadmaps.
• Lead proofs-of-concept, tech assessments, and architecture designs for platforms and data.

Skills

Enterprise architecture

Application architecture

Large-scale solution design

System integration

APIs

Security architecture

DevSecOps

Resilience

Operational governance

Stakeholder influence

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/Engineering/IT

Job description

Born from Hong Kong's demand for fast, convenient, and reliable payment solutions, Octopus introduced the world's first contactless multi-modal transit payment system in 1997. Since then, this homegrown FinTech company has pioneered innovative payment solutions for urban living across four continents. Our Vision To become the most preferred payment and lifestyle companion that connects customers and business partners through our best-in-class products and services. Our Mission Making everyday life easier. Our Values Customer Centricity, Simplicity & Trustworthiness. Dedicated to addressing customer needs and adapting to evolving market trends, Octopus has broadened its services beyond transportation to encompass retail, e-commerce, cross-border transactions, and travel abroad. Today, we serve approximately 98% of Hong Kong’s population, processing around 15 million transactions at more than HK$300 million on average daily. At the heart of our success are our colleagues. We value mutual respect, foster collaboration, and encourage innovation and partnership. Join us and shape the future of payment solutions. Your impact starts here!

Key Responsibilities

• As the Design Authority overseeing end-to-end application architecture design and enterprise architecture framework of Octopus systems.
• Define and lead enterprise and application architecture strategy across mission-critical systems and digital platforms.
• Establish architecture governance, design standards, and review processes to ensure quality, scalability, resilience, and maintainability.
• Partner with product, engineering, security, and business teams to translate strategic goals into practical architecture roadmaps and delivery plans.
• Lead proof-of-concepts, technology assessments, and architecture designs covering platforms, integration, data, observability, and performance.
• Conduct hands-on review on production system releases from system architecture and application design perspectives.
• Drive strong security review, risk management, and compliance outcomes through sound architecture and engineering practices.
• Drive cloud architecture, modernization, and migration initiatives, including hybrid or multi-cloud environments where applicable.
• Evaluate and guide the adoption of AI, automation, and emerging technologies to improve business capability and operational efficiency.

Requirements

• Degree in Computer Science, Electronic Engineering, Information Technology, or a related discipline.
• 15+ years of relevant IT experience, with strong expertise in enterprise architecture, application architecture, and large-scale solution design.
• Strong knowledge of system integration, APIs, security architecture, DevSecOps, resilience, and operational governance.
• Demonstrated execution capability in complex system delivery, architecture governance, and large-scale system integration, cross-functional system designs, and mission-critical system maintenance and incident investigation support.
• Proven experience leading architecture roadmap planning and execution for cloud-based, hybrid, or modernizing enterprise platforms.
• Good understanding of AI-enabled solutions, data platforms, automation, or machine learning use cases in enterprise environments.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to influence technical and non-technical stakeholders at senior levels.
• TOGAF, cloud architecture certification, or related professional certification would be an advantage.

Visit our web site:http://www.octopus.com.hk/ The personal data collected will be used for recruitment purposes only. If you are not contacted by us within six weeks, you may consider your application unsuccessful. Personal data with an unsuccessful applicant will be destroyed 12 months after rejection of the application. During this retention period, you have the right to request for correction or destruction of your personal data at any time. Any request for the correction or destruction of personal data should be addressed in writing to our Human Resources & Administration Department. Octopus is an equal opportunity employer and all employment decisions and Human Resources policies are administered; especially those relating to recruitment & selection, compensation & benefits, promotion & transfer, training & development and termination & redundancy; without discrimination on the basis of age, race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, marital status, pregnancy, physical and mental disability and family status but on genuine occupational qualification, job performance, employees’ ability and internal/ external relativities.

Unlock job insights

Hirer responsiveness Salary match Number of applicants

We operate one of the world's leading and most extensively accepted contactless smartcard payment systems, providing both offline and online payment services.

There are over 160,000 acceptance points for Octopus cards in Hong Kong, spanning across the city. We have over 30 million Octopus cards and products in circulation. We handle 15 million transactions a day

with transaction value of HK$260 million.

Our Vision

To become the most preferred payment and lifestyle companion that connects customers and business partners through our best-in-class products and services.

Our Mission

Making everyday life easier.

Our Values

Customer Centricity, Simplicity, Inclusiveness & Trustworthiness.

Our people are our most important asset. We respect each other, embrace collaboration, innovation and partnership. Come join us and make an impact to the future payment society!

We operate one of the world's leading and most extensively accepted contactless smartcard payment systems, providing both offline and online payment services.

There are over 160,000 acceptance points for Octopus cards in Hong Kong, spanning across the city. We have over 30 million Octopus cards and products in circulation. We handle 15 million transactions a day

with transaction value of HK$260 million.

Our Vision

To become the most preferred payment and lifestyle companion that connects customers and business partners through our best-in-class products and services.

Our Mission

Making everyday life easier.

Our Values

Customer Centricity, Simplicity, Inclusiveness & Trustworthiness.

Our people are our most important asset. We respect each other, embrace collaboration, innovation and partnership. Come join us and make an impact to the future payment society!

Central, Central and Western District, HK