Application Architect

Impronics Technologies; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 2,000,000; Full time

Job summary

Impronics Technologies is seeking a senior software architect to lead the design and governance of banking applications. You will steer cross‑functional teams, define integration strategies across core banking, fintech partners, and digital channels, and ensure alignment with regulatory and business requirements.

The role emphasizes data‑driven decisions, threat modeling, and scalable solutions, with a focus on performance, security, and maintainability.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Information Technology, or a related field.
• Advanced certifications in software architecture, cloud computing, or application development are a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and architecture of robust, scalable, and secure banking applications, aligning with business goals and tech standards.
• Design and implement integration strategies between core banking systems and third‑party apps, mobile platforms, and digital channels.
• Provide technical direction to development teams on tools, technologies, and frameworks for new and existing applications.
• Continuously evaluate and improve existing apps focusing on performance, scalability, security, and UX.
• Establish architectural standards, best practices, and guidelines for development teams.

Skills

Leadership

Architecture design

TOGAF

API design

Cloud thinking

Security & compliance

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in CS/SE

Advanced architecture certifications

Tools

Docker

Kubernetes

AWS

Azure

GCP

CI/CD

Job description

Lead the design and architecture of robust, scalable, and secure banking applications, ensuring alignment with business goals and technology standards.

Design and implement integration strategies between core banking systems, third-party applications, mobile platforms, and digital banking channels, ensuring seamless data flow and interoperability.

Provide technical direction and leadership to development teams on the selection of tools, technologies, and frameworks for new and existing applications.

Continuously evaluate and recommend improvements to existing applications, focusing on enhancing performance, scalability, security, and user experience.

Establish and enforce architectural standards, best practices, and guidelines for development teams, ensuring consistency, code quality, and maintainability across all projects.

Security & Compliance:

Ensure that applications are designed and developed with security in mind, adhering to banking regulations and industry standards (e.g., PCI DSS, GDPR). Work closely with the security team to perform threat modeling and mitigate risks.

Collaboration with Stakeholders:

Collaborate with business leaders, product managers, and other IT teams to understand business requirements, translate them into technical solutions, and ensure that applications meet regulatory, operational, and business needs.

Monitor application performance post-deployment, identifying bottlenecks and optimization opportunities to improve system efficiency and end-user experience.

Stay up-to-date with emerging technologies, industry trends, and innovations in fintech to recommend new tools, platforms, or approaches that can benefit the bank’s application ecosystem.

Create and maintain detailed documentation on application architecture, design decisions, and system components. Promote knowledge sharing and provide training to development teams on architectural concepts and practices.

Lead cross-functional teams during the full application lifecycle, from conceptualization and design to development, testing, deployment, and support. Assist in project planning, estimating timelines, and managing technical risks.

Academic Knowledge:

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Information Technology, or a related field. Advanced certifications in software architecture, cloud computing, or application development are a plus.

Work Experience:

• 7+ years of experience in software development, with at least 3-5 years in a senior or lead architecture role, preferably in a banking or financial services environment.
• Proven experience designing and architecting enterprise-level applications, with a focus on scalability, performance, and security.
• Strong experience with modern application frameworks, cloud computing (AWS, Azure, GCP), microservices, and RESTful APIs.
• Familiarity with core banking systems, digital banking platforms, mobile apps, and enterprise integrations.

Skills / Specialized Know How:

• Proficiency in programming languages (Java, C#, Python, or similar), and experience with architecture frameworks such as TOGAF or Zachman.
• Deep understanding of application integration strategies, including API design, SOA, and microservices architecture.
• Strong experience with database design and management, including SQL and NoSQL databases.
• Familiarity with DevOps practices, continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD), and containerization (Docker, Kubernetes).
• Experience in cloud architecture, particularly in designing cloud-native applications and migrating on-premise solutions to the cloud.
• Knowledge of banking regulations (e.g., PCI DSS, SOX, GDPR) and security protocols to ensure compliance across applications.