Java Application Architect (Payments & GCP) - 12-month contract

Badger & Bird Talent; Johannesburg; Remote; ZAR 1 355 000 - 1 695 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading tech recruitment agency in South Africa is seeking a Senior Java Application Architect to design a cutting-edge payment infrastructure. This role offers total architectural ownership, focusing on building a PCI-aligned payment gateway on Google Cloud Platform. The ideal candidate has extensive Java experience, deep payments expertise, and a track record of implementing complex financial systems. This contract position allows for remote work and is perfect for someone eager to tackle high-stakes engineering challenges.

Benefits

Remote work flexibility

Cutting-edge technology stack

Competitive compensation

Qualifications

• 8-10+ years in Java engineering, with experience as an Architect in payments.
• Experience building or evolving a payment gateway, switch, or digital wallet.
• Production experience on Google Cloud Platform (GCP) is essential.

Responsibilities

• Design the payment infrastructure connecting Africa.
• Architect the domain models, transaction flows, and event-driven services.
• Lead the Java implementation and ensure coding standards.

Skills

Java 17+

GCP Serverless architecture

Spring Boot

Containerization (Docker/Kubernetes)

Payments Expertise

Mobile Money Knowledge

Job description

Senior Java Application Architect (Payments & GCP)

Design the payment infrastructure that connects Africa.

This is a rare opportunity to architect a high-throughput payment gateway from the ground up. We are looking for a hands-on technical leader to define the vision for a platform that will process real-time transactions across the continent and beyond.

You won't just be maintaining a legacy system. You will own the end-to-end architecture on Google Cloud Platform, building a solution that integrates mobile money, banking APIs, and international settlements.

This is a 12-month contract engagement.

What You Gain From This Role

• Total Architectural Ownership: You define the roadmap. From the API gateway to the data store, you decide how to build a system that creates reliable, idempotent records for every transaction.
• Scale and Complexity: You will tackle high-stakes engineering challenges, designing for low latency, high availability, and multi-region expansion (ZA/EU/UK).
• Modern Engineering: Work with a cutting-edge stack including Java 17+, Spring Boot, and GCP Serverless architecture, keeping your skills at the forefront of the industry.
• Remote Freedom: delivering world-class work from anywhere.

Your Core Mission

• Architect the Solution: Design the domain models, transaction flows, and event-driven services required for a PCI-aligned payment gateway.
• Lead the Build: Stay hands-on with the code. You will set the standards, perform deep code reviews, and lead the Java implementation.
• Connect the Ecosystem: Design robust integrations with Mobile Network Operators (like M-Pesa and Tigo) and banking partners using ISO8583 and REST standards.
• Embed Security: Ensure the platform is secure by design, implementing PCI DSS controls, tokenization, and strict secrets management.

What You Need to Bring

• Deep Payments Expertise: 8-10+ years in Java engineering, with at least 3-5 years specifically as an Architect in payments, fintech, or transactional systems.
• The Track Record: You must have built or significantly evolved a payment gateway, switch, or digital wallet previously.
• Cloud Authority: Production experience on Google Cloud Platform (GCP) is essential.
• Mobile Money Knowledge: Familiarity with wallet ecosystems (settlements, float, KYC) is strongly preferred.
• The Stack: Deep proficiency in Java 17+, Spring Boot, and Containerization (Docker/Kubernetes).

The Details

• Location: Remote.
• Contract: Contract position.

Ready to lead the future of payments? Apply now to start the conversation.