Distinguished Architect, Trading Platforms and Technology

lplfinancial; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 198,000 - 330,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401K matching

health benefits

employee stock options

paid time off

volunteer time off

Job summary

LPL Financial is seeking a Distinguished Architect to define and advance target-state architecture across our trading and investment management platforms. This senior role partners with executive leadership to align business strategy with scalable, secure technology solutions in a high-volume trading environment.

The position emphasizes hands-on architectural leadership, modernizing legacy systems, cloud adoption (AWS), API-first design, and event-driven architectures to support $1 trillion+ in

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience designing enterprise-scale architectures, including microservices and event-driven systems.
• 5+ years of experience in trading technology domains (e.g., equities, ETFs, options, or wealth platforms).
• Experience in trading systems including OMS/EMS platforms, FIX protocol, and market data infrastructure.
• Experience leading cloud transformation initiatives (AWS preferred) and modernizing legacy platforms.
• Experience in defining and executing long-term architecture strategies and roadmaps.

Responsibilities

• Own architecture for enterprise-scale trading platforms supporting $1T+ in assets. Partner with business, product, and technology leadership to align architecture strategy with enterprise priorities and investments.
• Build at the intersetion of AI-driven trading, real-time data systems, and digital assets.
• Define target-state architecture for trading platforms across Broker Dealer, Advisory, and Models domains.
• Lead modernization initiatives including cloud adoption (AWS), API-first design, and transformation to microservices and event-driven architectures.
• Establish and evolve enterprise architecture standards, frameworks, and reusable assets that drive scalability, performance, and security.
• Influence enterprise standards, not just a single domain
• Drive adoption of emerging technologies including AI/ML, real-time data platforms, and blockchain-based capabilities.
• Guide and influence domain architects to ensure architectural consistency and quality across the trading ecosystem.
• Champion Architecture as Code (AaC) to enable scalable governance, compliance, and continuous delivery.
• Provide strategic guidance on build vs. buy decisions and industry best practices to executive stakeholders.

Job description

Distinguished Architect - Trading & Investment Management Technology

Where Ambition Meets Innovation Build a career that matches your initiative with innovation. At LPL Financial, technology is a core driver of growth-powering over $1.2 trillion in assets and supporting more than 32,000 advisors.

Job Overview

The Distinguished Architect serves as a senior individual contributor responsible for defining and advancing the target-state architecture across LPL's trading and investment management platforms. This role partners closely with executive leadership to align business strategy with modern, scalable, and secure technology solutions.

Blending strategic influence with technical depth, this leader guides architecture standards, modernization initiatives, and innovation efforts across high-volume, mission-critical trading systems. This role requires hands-on depth in designing low-latency, high-throughput trading systems, including real-time event streaming, order routing, and market data infrastructure at scale.

The role may sit hybrid out of any of our hubs including NYC (Midtown), Fort Mill SC, San Diego CA, or Austin TX.

Responsibilities

• Own architecture for enterprise-scale trading platforms supporting $1T+ in assets. Partner with business, product, and technology leadership to align architecture strategy with enterprise priorities and investments.
• Build at the intersetion of AI-driven trading, real-time data systems, and digital assets.
• Define target-state architecture for trading platforms across Broker Dealer, Advisory, and Models domains.
• Lead modernization initiatives including cloud adoption (AWS), API-first design, and transformation to microservices and event-driven architectures.
• Establish and evolve enterprise architecture standards, frameworks, and reusable assets that drive scalability, performance, and security.
• Influence enterprise standards, not just a single domain
• Drive adoption of emerging technologies including AI/ML, real-time data platforms, and blockchain-based capabilities.
• Guide and influence domain architects to ensure architectural consistency and quality across the trading ecosystem.
• Champion Architecture as Code (AaC) to enable scalable governance, compliance, and continuous delivery.
• Provide strategic guidance on build vs. buy decisions and industry best practices to executive stakeholders.

What are we looking for?

We're looking for strong collaborators who deliver exceptional client experiences and thrive in fast-paced, team-oriented environments. Our ideal candidates pursue greatness , act with integrity , and are driven to help our clients succeed . We value those who embrace creativity, continuous improvement, and contribute to a culture where we win together and create and share joy in our work.

Requirements

• 8 or more years of experience designing enterprise-scale architectures, including microservices and event-driven systems.
• 5 or more years of experience in trading technology domains (e.g., equities, ETFs, options, or wealth platforms).
• Experience in trading systems including OMS/EMS platforms, FIX protocol, and market data infrastructure.
• Experience leading cloud transformation initiatives (AWS preferred) and modernizing legacy platforms.
• Experience in defining and executing long-term architecture strategies and roadmaps.

Core Competencies

• Strategic systems thinking with the ability to translate business goals into scalable technical solutions
• Strong executive communication and influence skills
• Hands-on technical leadership with a focus on innovation and modernization

Preferences

• Experience in financial services, wealth management, or broker-dealer environments
• Familiarity with AI/ML platforms or use cases within trading environments
• Exposure to blockchain or distributed ledger technologies and digital asset platforms

Pay Range:

$197,966.00 - $329,909.00

Benefits

• 401K matching
• health benefits
• employee stock options
• paid time off
• volunteer time off

Company Overview:

LPL Financial Holdings Inc. (Nasdaq: LPLA) is among the fastest growing wealth management firms in the U.S. As a leader in the financ