Senior Solutions Architect (Hands-On Developer Java/Python, Cloud)

Solutions Architect

Location: Sandton 
Work Model: 3-4 days in office

Are you a hands-on technologist who thrives on turning complex business problems into elegant, coded solutions? We are a leading force in the financial services industry, on a mission to redefine banking through innovation and a relentless focus on our clients. We're looking for a visionary and hands-on Solutions Architect to join our dynamic team and help us build the future.

Important Note: We are seeking a true technologist. The ideal candidate must be actively programming in their current or most recent role (e.g., Java, Python). We value proven coding proficiency and deep technical execution skills over years of experience held in a purely design-focused architect title. If you live and breathe code and are passionate about architecting systems you can help build, you are the perfect fit.

Who We Are
We are more than just a bank. We believe in empowering people to take control of their financial lives through solutions that are simplified, accessible, and affordable. Our culture is built on talented, committed teams who are dedicated to earning the trust of our clients and making a positive impact every day. We invest in our people, offering cohesive teams, significant growth opportunities, and comprehensive benefits because we know that our success is driven by theirs.

The Role: Your Impact
As a Solutions Architect, you will play a pivotal role at the intersection of technology and business. This is a hands-on leadership role requiring you to not only architect systems but also to dive into code, lead technical conversations, and support multiple teams and portfolios. You will be responsible for decomposing complex business problems into elegant, implementable technical solutions that you can help build and guide.

Key Responsibilities:

• Architect and design scalable, resilient, and secure solutions using modern cloud-native technologies.
• Decompose complex business requirements, particularly in customer onboarding and core banking domains, into technical implementation plans.
• Champion and implement event-driven architectures and domain-driven design principles.
• Lead by doingprovide hands-on coding guidance (Java/Python), review code, and contribute to key modules to ensure architectural alignment.
• Collaborate with business stakeholders, product owners, and engineers to ensure architectural alignment with strategic goals.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship, enabling multiple teams to deliver high-quality solutions effectively.

Our Ideal Candidate Is a Hands-On Technologist With:

Essential Technical Expertise:

• Active Programming Proficiency: Must be currently coding in Java or Python in a professional capacity.
• Cloud Architecture: Deep, hands-on experience with cloud platforms (AWS strongly preferred, Azure, GCP).
• Microservices & APIs: Proven experience designing, building, and integrating microservices-based architectures. Proficiency in RESTful APIs, GraphQL, gRPC, and related patterns.
• Event-Driven Systems: Strong experience with event-driven architectures, including Kafka, event sourcing, CQRS, and stream processing.
• Software Development: Proficiency in modern SDLC methodologies (Agile, DevOps, CI/CD) and relevant tooling.
• Domain-Driven Design (DDD): Practical experience applying DDD principles to solve complex business problems.
• Security: Working knowledge of security principles and protocols (e.g., OAuth2, OpenID Connect, mTLS).

Essential Soft Skills:

• Exceptional leadership and strategic thinking capabilities.
• Outstanding presentation and communication skills.
• Strong commercial and business acumen.
• Superior problem-solving and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and context-switch effectively between teams and portfolios.

Qualifications & Conditions:

• Clear credit and criminal record.
• Own reliable transport and a valid drivers license.
• Own a mobile phone.

Why Choose Us?
We offer a values-driven environment where we expect everyone to put the Client first, act with Energy, and take Ownership. In return, we are committed to your growth and well-being through:

• A competitive compensation and benefits package.
• Opportunities for continuous learning and career advancement.
• A collaborative, inclusive, and welcoming culture.
• The chance to work on challenging, high-impact projects that help real people.

Ready to build the best with us?
If you are a coding architect ready to unlock your potential and help us on our mission, please apply.