Distinguished Architect, Trading Platforms and Technology

Facade and Building Jobs; San Diego (CA); Hybrid; USD 190,000 - 330,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401K matching

Employee stock options

Health benefits

Paid time off

Job summary

LPL Financial is seeking a Distinguished Architect to shape the target-state architecture for trading and investment management platforms. You will guide strategic modernization, real-time data systems, and AI-enabled trading at enterprise scale, while remaining hands-on with high‑throughput designs.

Hybrid role across multiple hubs, including San Diego CA, NYC, Fort Mill SC, or Austin TX, reporting to executive leadership and driving architecture standards and innovations.

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• Own architecture for enterprise-scale trading platforms and align with business priorities.
• Lead modernization, cloud adoption, API-first design, and microservices evolution.
• Define target-state architecture across Broker Dealer, Advisory, and Models.
• Establish enterprise architecture standards and reusable assets for scalability and security.
• Influence enterprise standards across domains and guide AaC adoption for governance.
• Provide strategic guidance on build vs. buy decisions to executives.

Skills

Enterprise architecture

Trading technology

Cloud transformation

Microservices & event-driven

Executive communication

Tools

OMS/EMS platforms

FIX protocol

Market data infrastructure

AWS

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.

As a Distinguished Architect - Trading & Investment Management Technology, you will shape the future of trading platforms across Broker Dealer, Advisory, and Models capabilities - working at the forefront of cloud transformation, AI-enabled trading, and next‑generation financial infrastructure. This is a rare opportunity to operate at enterprise scale while remaining deeply hands‑on, driving meaningful impact for advisors and their clients.

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 intersection 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
Actual base salary varies based on factors, including but not limited to, relevant skill, prior experience, education, base salary of internal peers, demonstrated performance, and geographic location. Additionally, LPL Total Rewards package is highly competitive, designed to support your success at work, at home, and at play – such as 401K matching, health benefits, employee stock options, paid time off, volunteer time off, and more.

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 financial advisor‑mediated marketplace(6) , LPL supports over 32,000 financial advisors and the wealth management practices of approximately 1,100 financial institutions, servicing and custodying approximately $2.3 trillion in brokerage and advisory assets on behalf of approximately 8 million Americans. The firm provides a wide range of advisor affiliation models, investment solutions, fintech tools and practice management services, ensuring that advisors and institutions have the flexibility to choose the business model, services, and technology resources they need to run thriving businesses. For further information about LPL, please visit www.lpl.com.

At LPL, independence means that advisors and institution leaders have the freedom they deserve to choose the business model, services, and technology resources that allow them to run a thriving business. They have the flexibility to do business their way. And they have the freedom to manage their client relationships, because they know their clients best. Simply put, we take care of our advisors and institutions, so they can take care of their clients.

Join the LPL team and help us make a difference by turning life’s aspirations into financial realities. Principals only. EOE.

Information On Interviews

LPL will only communicate with a job applicant directly from an @lplfinancial.com email address and will never conduct an interview online or in a chatroom forum. During an interview, LPL will not request any form of payment from the applicant, or information regarding an applicant’s bank or credit card. Should you have any questions regarding the application process, please contact LPL’s Human Resources Solutions Center at [phone].