Chief Architect

Fime enables its clients to create and launch trusted and secure solutions with consulting and testing services in payments, smart mobility, biometrics, and authentication. With 800+ experts around the world in over 20 locations, Fime is a multi-cultural global leading player its industry.

Inspired by our talented people, we are empowered to take ownership and innovate for the benefit of our clients. Employee growth is therefore our priority, and we demonstrate the appreciation of our people by providing them with opportunities to grow and new challenges both through internal promotion and international mobility.

At Fime, we are constantly evolving and moving forward together thanks to our values:

Enable our customers.

Support each other.

Keep getting better.

Your skills and your differences will be our greatest assets. Join Fime and make a difference!

Making innovation possible.

Mission:

Fime offers comprehensive suites of standard software and hardware products, to test core components in the Payments ecosystem. We also have SaaS and Cloud Based platforms offered to large customers such as International / Domestic Payment schemes, central banks, Acquirers and PSPs to manage their testing and certification programs, onboard their members (banks, merchants and 3rd parties) and validate their implementations. We test and certify core components such as EMV Cards and POS devices, mobile devices, Network and host systems, ISO20022 instant payment systems etc. Our products are accredited by the like of EMVCo, NFC forum, as well as International and domestic payments Schemes. Fime has also expanded its portfolio into the non-accredited payments testing space, as well as other verticals such as Smart mobility and Digital Identity. Although we do not provide production systems, our platforms and test suites require adherence to stringent performance and non-functional SLAs.

The Chief Architect will act as the CTO and Technical Design Authority for Fime’s Technology Business Unit. This role will be responsible for setting the technology vision and roadmap to meet our business objectives.

Activities:

• Establishes and maintains the Enterprise Architecture & Design Framework for the TSO business and ensures governance within the team
• Takes responsibility to streamline and harmonize a joint technology roadmap for the business taking into considerations current challenges and acquisition differences
• Leads and manage the Architecture, DevOps, and System Engineering teams, fostering a collaborative and high-performance environment.
• Ensures software best practices and TSO SW standards are applied throughout the business
• Ensures non-functional requirements (e.g. Performance, stability, etc.) are clearly defined / tested and managed during release cycles
• Interfaces with sales & pre-sales to ensure correct solution design, technical scope and effort estimations are accurately defined and managed during sales cycle
• A payments technology expert that has an in-depth understanding of payments ecosystem to guide the technology vision of our products
• Provides technical oversight and guidance for critical projects, ensuring they are delivered on time, within scope, and within budget.
• Identifies and mitigates architecture risks, ensuring that potential issues are addressed proactively.
• Drives innovation by identifying and evaluating new technologies and methodologies that could benefit the business.
• Maintains comprehensive architectural documentations, including system designs, technical specifications, and architectural decisions.
• Engage with key stakeholders, including business leaders, product managers, and customers, to understand business requirements and translate them into technical solutions.
• Assist in the development of technology budgets

Job Experience:

• 10+ years of experience in software development and architecture.
• 5+ experience in demonstrated leadership and people management skills
• Extensive experience with major technologies, programming languages, frameworks, and tools
• Preferred knowledge of the payments ecosystem, including EMV, POS, Host Systems, Instant payments and others.
• Strong understanding of the software development life cycle methodologies, including Agile, and DevOps practices.
• Expertise in designing SaaS and Cloud-based platforms.
• In-depth knowledge of AWS and Azure cloud platforms
• Experience with cloud-native architecture, microservices, and containerization.
• Proficiency in multiple programing languages such as Java, C#, Python, or others.
• Knowledge of APIS, middleware, and message brokers (e.g. REST, SOAP, Kafka)
• Experience with database design, management, and optimization (e.g. SQL, NoSQL, data warehousing)
• Knowledge of data governance, data security, and data quality best practices.
• Familiarity with regulatory requirements and industry standards (e.g. GDPR, PCI-DSS).
• Strong knowledge of DevOps practices, managing continuous integration and deployment (CI/CD) and DevOps tools (e.g., Git, Ansible, terraform, and PRTG)
• Experience with network design, management, and troubleshooting.
• Familiarity with accreditation processes by EMVCo, NFC Forum, and other payments schemes.
• Proficiency in enterprise architecture and design frameworks
• Strong understanding of software development best practices and standards
• Experience in managing non-functional requirements such as performance, scalability, stability, reliability, and security .
• Familiarity with AI, machine learning, and other cutting-edge technologies.

Knowledge & Skills:

• BS/MS in Computer Science or equivalent experience
• Ability to lead and inspire cross-functional teams, fostering collaboration and innovation.
• Strong strategic thinking skills to develop and implement technology roadmaps that align with the business goals.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to convey complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.
• Strong problem-solving skills to address and resolve technical challenges
• Effective decision-making skills, with the ability to make informed choices in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work collaboratively with various teams and stakeholders, promoting a team-oriented environment.
• Flexibility to adapt to changing business needs and technological advancements
• Strong Analytical skills to assess and improve technology processes and systems
• Ability to drive innovation and continuous improvement in technology solutions
• Strong customer focus, ensuring technology solutions meet customer needs and expectations.

Contract: permanent, full time

Starting at the latest: ASAP

Location: Caen, France or Leiden, Netherlands or Sao Paulo, Brazil

Work setting: Hybrid