Job Description: Senior Enterprise Architect – Canada Financial Services Consulting Practice
We are
At Synechron, we believe in the power of digital to transform businesses for the better. Our global consulting firm combines creativity and innovative technology to deliver industry-leading digital solutions. Synechron’s progressive technologies and optimization strategies span end-to-end Artificial Intelligence, Consulting, Digital, Cloud & DevOps, Data, and Software Engineering, servicing an array of noteworthy financial services and technology firms. Through research and development initiatives in our FinLabs we develop solutions for modernization, from Artificial Intelligence and Blockchain to Data Science models, Digital Underwriting, mobile-first applications and more. Over the last 20+ years, our company has been honored with multiple employer awards, recognizing our commitment to our talented teams. With top clients to boast about, Synechron has a global workforce of 16,400+, and has 60 offices in 20 countries within key global markets.
Our challenge
The Principal Architect will serve as the technical cornerstone of Synechron's Canada Financial Services practice, driving architectural excellence, technical innovation, and hands-on delivery quality across consulting engagements. This non-billable role is accountable for ensuring that every architecture design - and every line of code - meets world-class standards for performance, compliance, security, and operational resilience. The Principal Architect will design complex systems, mentor delivery architects on technical depth, contribute to Synechron's IP and frameworks, and maintain a hands-on involvement in critical design and implementation decisions.
Key Accountability: Ensure technical excellence and innovation across all FS consulting engagements by providing deep architectural guidance, hands-on technical leadership, code-level review, and thought partnership with clients and Synechron teams. Own the elevation of Synechron's technical reputation as the gold standard for FS architecture consulting.
Additional Information*
The base salary for this position will vary based on geography and other factors. In accordance with law, the base salary for this role if filled within Mississauga, ON is CAD$180k - $210k/year & benefits (see below).
Key Responsibilities
1. Technical Leadership & Architecture Excellence (25%)
- Lead architecture design excellence across all Canada FS engagements; establish and enforce architectural standards, patterns, and decision-making rigor.
- Conduct design validation & review:
- Review architecture designs from delivery architects and consultants; ensure alignment with FS regulatory requirements (OSFI, PIPEDA, AML/KYC).
- Validate technical trade-offs (performance vs. compliance, innovation vs. stability, cost vs. architecture purity).
- Challenge assumptions; provide independent technical PoV on architectural decisions.
- Escalate architectural risks early; protect against over-engineered or under-engineered solutions.
- Own technical decision-making:
- Lead architecture decision boards (ADBs) for complex technology choices (cloud platform selection, AI/ML frameworks, integration patterns).
- Develop Architecture Decision Records (ADRs) that document rationale, trade-offs, and compliance implications.
- Ensure every architectural decision is defensible to clients, Synechron leadership, and (critically) OSFI examiners.
- Design-Level Engagement:
- Participate in high-stakes architecture design activities (not delegating all design to junior architects).
- Lead design workshops with client stakeholders; shape architectural direction through technical dialogue.
- Conduct deep dives into emerging technology choices (cloud vendor comparison, AI/ML framework evaluation, integration middleware assessment).
- Establish Technical Standards:
- Define architectural patterns and standards for Synechron's FS engagements (microservices, event-driven, API governance, data governance, security patterns).
- Create architecture templates and reusable components that accelerate delivery and reduce rework.
- Document decision criteria for common architectural choices (when to use event-driven vs. request-response, when to build vs. buy, when to privatize vs. public cloud).
- Regulatory Architecture Expertise:
- Develop deep technical mastery of FS regulatory requirements and translate into architectural patterns.
- Design compliance-first architectures that embed OSFI Cloud Computing Guidelines, AI Governance Expectations, fair lending controls, and AML transaction monitoring.
- Create regulatory compliance architecture frameworks that are reusable across Synechron engagements.
2. Hands-On Technical Delivery & Code-Level Engagement (20%)
- Participate directly in critical technical workstreams:
- Engage in detailed architecture design; don't just review - lead design workshops and contribute design thinking.
- Participate in technology selection and evaluation (cloud platform comparison, database technology assessment, integration middleware assessment).
- Lead proof-of-concept (PoC) design and validation; ensure PoCs test critical architectural assumptions.
- Conduct vendor technical deep dives; evaluate vendor solutions against architectural requirements.
Code-Level Review & Validation:
- Review architecture-critical code paths; ensure implementation matches architectural intent.
- Conduct design review during detailed design phase (before build); validate architecture can be implemented as designed.
- Review infrastructure-as-code (Terraform, CloudFormation, Helm charts); ensure cloud infrastructure aligns with architectural patterns.
- Provide feedback on API design, schema design, and data model choices.
- Validate compliance-critical implementation (audit logging, encryption, access control, fair lending bias detection).
Hands-On Technical Mentoring:
- Work side-by-side with delivery architects and engineers on complex technical challenges.
- Pair-program on critical design decisions; teach junior architects through direct collaboration.
- Review pull requests on architecture-critical code; provide technical mentorship through code feedback.
- Conduct technical deep dives with delivery teams on emerging technology challenges.
- Lead technical problem-solving sessions when delivery teams encounter architectural issues.
Implementation Validation:
- Validate implementation aligns with architecture during build and testing phases.
- Conduct architecture compliance reviews (pre-deployment validation); ensure all regulatory requirements embedded.
- Manage architectural changes during delivery; evaluate scope creep and design modifications against original architecture.
- Support go-live activities; validate implementation meets design intent; identify post-go-live optimization opportunities.
Technology Stack Expertise:
- Maintain hands-on expertise in technologies Synechron uses on engagements (cloud platforms, databases, integration middleware, AI/ML frameworks).
- Conduct technology assessments for new engagements; recommend technology stack based on architectural requirements and project constraints.
- Prototype emerging technologies; evaluate viability for FS use cases (generative AI, blockchain, advanced analytics).
- Stay current with technology evolution (new cloud services, framework releases, security best practices).
3. Innovation & Emerging Technology Leadership (20%)
Drive Innovation Roadmap:
- Stay at the forefront of emerging technologies relevant to FS (AI/GenAI, cloud evolution, real-time data platforms, blockchain, quantum computing).
- Evaluate new technologies for applicability to Synechron's FS engagements; build business cases for technology investment.
- Conduct research and proof-of-concept work on emerging technologies; assess FS regulatory implications.
- Contribute to Synechron's thought leadership on future FS technology landscapes.
Develop Synechron IP & Frameworks:
- Own or co-develop proprietary Synechron frameworks (e.g., "FS Responsible AI Governance Framework," "OSFI-Compliant Cloud Architecture Pattern," "Fair Lending Validation Framework").
- Create reusable architecture components, reference implementations, and accelerators that improve delivery efficiency.
- Document best practices and lessons learned from engagements; contribute to Synechron's FS architecture knowledge base.
- Develop technical reference architectures for common FS scenarios (cloud migration, Transaction Banking, AI governance, real-time data).
Hands-On Prototyping & PoC Development:
- Conduct hands-on prototyping of emerging technologies; validate technical feasibility before recommending to clients.
- Develop proof-of-concepts demonstrating architectural approaches (new cloud patterns, AI governance frameworks, real-time data pipelines).
- Contribute code to Synechron's internal tools and frameworks; lead development of architecture validation tools.
- Build demonstrations for client presentations; showcase emerging technology capabilities in realistic FS scenarios.
Technology Assessment & Benchmarking:
- Conduct deep technical evaluations of technology platforms (cloud providers, AI/ML frameworks, integration middleware, databases).
- Create technology assessment reports with architectural implications (performance, compliance, cost, operational complexity).
- Benchmark competitive technology solutions; recommend optimal choices for different FS scenarios.
- Maintain technology radar; track emerging tools and platforms that could impact Synechron's delivery capabilities.
Internal Technology Community:
- Lead technical communities of practice (cloud architecture, AI governance, real-time data, API management).
- Facilitate knowledge sharing within Synechron; organize technical forums, workshops, and learning sessions.
- Contribute to Synechron's architecture blog, technical articles, and internal documentation.
4. Technical Mentoring & Team Development (10%)
Mentor Delivery Architects & Consultants:
- Guide 5–8 delivery architects on architectural thinking, technical depth, and FS regulatory knowledge.
- Conduct one-on-one technical mentoring sessions; help architects develop architectural problem-solving skills.
- Review architecture designs from delivery architects; provide constructive feedback that elevates technical quality.
- Pair-program on complex technical challenges; teach through hands-on collaboration.
- Challenge junior architects to think deeply about architectural trade-offs; develop critical thinking skills.
Build Technical Competencies:
- Assess technical skill gaps within Synechron's delivery organization; develop targeted training curriculum.
- Lead internal workshops and technical deep dives on emerging technologies (AI/GenAI governance, cloud patterns, real-time data, security architecture).
- Create technical learning paths for different career stages (consultant → architect → principal architect).
- Recommend external certifications and training programs (TOGAF, cloud certifications, AI/ML fundamentals).
Establish Technical Standards:
- Define architectural standards and best practices for Synechron's FS engagements.
- Create architecture decision frameworks that guide technology choices and design trade-offs.
- Establish code review standards and architectural validation processes.
- Document anti-patterns; help team learn from past mistakes.
Support Recruiting & Hiring:
- Participate in technical interviews for architect and senior consultant roles; assess technical depth and FS domain expertise.
- Conduct technical assessments for candidates; evaluate architecture and coding capabilities.
- Build hiring pipeline for high-caliber technical talent; support recruitment for Synechron's FS practice.
- Sponsor promising team members for advancement (senior architect, principal architect, technical leadership roles).
Contribute to Synechron's Global Architecture Community:
- Participate in global architecture forums; share learnings and best practices across geographies.
- Contribute to Synechron's FS architecture knowledge base and methodologies.
- Mentor architects in other regions on technical leadership and FS regulatory expertise.
- Lead or co-lead Synechron's global technical communities of practice.
5. Deep Technical Expertise & Technology PoV (20%)
This role requires hands-on technical mastery across multiple technology domains. The Principal Architect should be able to form and articulate informed perspectives on virtually any technology relevant to FS:
Cloud & Infrastructure:
- AWS, Azure, Google Cloud: Hands-on expertise in multi-cloud deployment, cost optimization, security posture, compliance (OSFI Cloud Guidelines).
- Kubernetes, container orchestration: Deep understanding of containerization trade-offs, deployment patterns, scaling, security hardening.
- Infrastructure-as-Code: Expertise in Terraform, CloudFormation, Ansible; ability to evaluate IaC tools and patterns.
- Networking & Security: Deep knowledge of zero-trust architecture, VPC design, network segmentation, WAF strategies, DDoS mitigation.
- Disaster Recovery & Business Continuity: Hands-on experience designing and testing RTO/RPO architectures; ability to validate client DR strategies.
Data & Analytics:
- Data Lake Architecture: Hands-on expertise in data lake design (data zones, governance, quality, access control).
- Real-Time Data Platforms: Deep understanding of streaming architectures (Kafka, Kinesis, Pub/Sub), event-driven design, real-time analytics.
- Data Governance: Ability to design data classification, lineage tracking, quality monitoring, and compliance frameworks.
- Databases: Hands-on knowledge of relational (PostgreSQL, Oracle), NoSQL (MongoDB, DynamoDB, Cassandra), time-series (InfluxDB), and in-memory databases (Redis).
- Analytics & BI: Understanding of analytics architectures, data warehouse design, BI tool integration, and performance optimization.
AI/ML & GenAI:
- Large Language Models: Deep understanding of LLM architecture, fine-tuning, prompt engineering, retrieval-augmented generation (RAG).
- Machine Learning Platforms: Hands-on experience with ML frameworks (TensorFlow, PyTorch), MLOps tools (MLflow, Kubeflow, SageMaker).
- Model Governance: Ability to design model registry, versioning, monitoring, drift detection, retraining pipelines, compliance validation.
- Bias & Fairness: Understanding of bias detection frameworks, fairness metrics, explainability techniques (SHAP, LIME), regulatory compliance in credit models.
- Generative AI for Enterprise: Ability to evaluate GenAI tools for FS use cases (code generation, document analysis, customer service); understanding of data privacy and compliance implications.
Integration & APIs:
- API Architecture: Expertise in API design patterns (REST, GraphQL, gRPC), versioning, rate limiting, authentication/authorization.
- Integration Patterns: Deep knowledge of event-driven, message-driven, request-response, and synchronous/asynchronous integration patterns.
- Integration Middleware: Hands-on experience with enterprise service buses (ESB), integration platforms (Mulesoft, Boomi, SAP PI), message brokers (RabbitMQ, Apache Kafka).
- API Governance: Ability to design API standards, lifecycle management, API versioning, and API monetization strategies.
Security & Compliance:
- Zero-Trust Architecture: Ability to design and implement zero-trust models (identity verification, least privilege access, continuous monitoring).
- Encryption & Key Management: Deep understanding of encryption protocols, key management systems (AWS KMS, Azure Key Vault, HashiCorp Vault).
- Identity & Access Management (IAM): Hands-on expertise in RBAC, ABAC, federation, OAuth 2.0, SAML, multi-factor authentication (MFA).
- Audit & Compliance: Ability to design audit logging, evidence collection, compliance validation frameworks for OSFI, PIPEDA, AML/KYC regulations.
- Application Security: Understanding of OWASP Top 10, secure coding practices, vulnerability assessment, penetration testing.
Specific FS Technology Domains:
- Core Banking Systems: Deep knowledge of retail banking platform architecture, mortgage origination, consumer lending, deposit management.
- Capital Markets Systems: Understanding of trading platforms, market data feeds, settlement systems, post-trade infrastructure.
- Payment Systems: Expertise in payment clearing (ACH, wire transfer), real-time payments (RTP), correspondent banking, multi-currency settlement.
- Wealth Management Platforms: Knowledge of portfolio management systems, investment operations, alternative asset management, compliance monitoring.
- Regulatory Technology (RegTech): Understanding of transaction monitoring platforms, sanctions screening, KYC/AML utilities, compliance automation.
The Expectation: This person should be able to:
- Have an informed opinion on any technology choice presented by engineers or vendors
- Challenge architectural decisions with technical rigor
- Explain trade-offs (performance vs. compliance, cost vs. architecture purity, time-to-market vs. scalability)
- Prototype or validate technology choices through hands-on work
- Teach others about technologies they may not yet know
- Stay ahead of technology evolution; predict trends 12–24 months out
This is not someone who delegates all deep technical work; this is someone who rolls up their sleeves and participates in critical technical decisions at the code, architecture, and strategy levels.
6. Quality, Risk & Compliance (5%)
Ensure quality standards:
- Drive >90% client satisfaction scores; conduct quarterly client feedback reviews.
- Ensure all work products meet Synechron quality standards (Synechron's Delivery Excellence Framework).
- Conduct peer reviews of architecture designs; identify quality gaps early.
- Participate in quality assurance audits and post-engagement retrospectives.
Manage engagement risks:
- Identify architectural risks early; escalate to engagement leadership and client CIO.
- Develop mitigation strategies for technical, regulatory, and delivery risks.
- Maintain risk registers; conduct quarterly risk reviews with client.
Ensure regulatory compliance:
- Ensure Synechron's work adheres to FS regulatory frameworks (OSFI, PIPEDA, etc.).
- Conduct regulatory compliance reviews of architecture designs; validate fair lending, AML, audit trail compliance.
- Support client's OSFI examination preparation; provide architecture documentation and expert commentary.
Requirements:
- Bachelor's degree in computer science, Software Engineering, Information Technology, or related field.
- Master's degree (MBA, MSc Computer Science, or related) preferred.
Core Architecture & Technical Leadership
- 15+ years in enterprise architecture and technology leadership; minimum 10 years at senior architecture level (Principal Architect or equivalent).
- 10+ years in financial services (banking, capital markets, payments, wealth management); deep understanding of FS business models, regulatory environment, and technology landscapes.
- 8+ years in consulting (management consulting, technology consulting, or boutique FS consulting); experience delivering complex engagements to C-suite clients.
- Track record of designing and delivering transformational technology initiatives (platform modernization, cloud transformation, regulatory compliance architecture) at Tier-1 financial institutions.
Domain & Technical Expertise
- Cloud Architecture: Hybrid cloud, multi-cloud, cloud vendor management; experience designing architectures on AWS, Azure, or GCP in regulated FS environments.
- Modern Architecture Patterns: Microservices, event-driven architecture, API-first design, data mesh, domain-driven design; ability to design at enterprise scale (billions of transactions, millions of concurrent users).
- AI/ML Governance: Experience designing responsible AI frameworks, model risk management, bias detection, explainability architectures; familiarity with regulatory AI guidance (OSFI, Fed, ECB).
- Data Platforms: Data lake architecture, data governance, real-time streaming (Kafka, event engines), data quality frameworks.
- FS Systems: Deep knowledge of retail banking cores, commercial banking platforms, capital markets trading systems, payment systems, settlement architectures.
- Integration & APIs: Enterprise Service Bus (ESB), API management, REST/GraphQL, event-driven integration; experience designing high-volume transaction integration (>1B daily transactions).
- Security & Compliance: Zero-trust architecture, identity and access management (IAM), encryption standards, audit logging, compliance control mapping.
Hands-On Technical Depth & Innovation
- Code-Level Expertise: Demonstrated ability to read, write, and review production code; proficiency in multiple programming languages (Python, Java, Go, C++, or equivalent).
- Technology Mastery: Deep, hands-on expertise across multiple technology domains (cloud, data, AI/ML, integration, security); not just theoretical knowledge but practical experience deploying and troubleshooting systems at scale.
- Architecture Implementation: Direct experience translating architecture designs into working systems; not just diagrams but real, production-grade implementations.
- Technology Innovation: Track record of evaluating, prototyping, and adopting emerging technologies; comfortable pushing the envelope with new tools and approaches.
- Technical Leadership: Demonstrated ability to elevate technical standards through code review, design validation, and hands-on mentoring; influence technical direction through technical rigor, not authority.
- PoV Development: Ability to form and defend informed opinions on technology choices; willingness to challenge conventional wisdom with technical depth.
- Continuous Learning: Demonstrated commitment to staying at the forefront of technology; active participation in technical communities, open-source contributions, or self-directed learning.
- Thought Leadership: Published articles, conference presentations, open-source contributions, or technical blog posts demonstrating deep technical expertise.
FS Regulatory & Compliance
- OSFI Regulatory Framework: Deep understanding of OSFI guidelines (CAR, LAR, AI Governance Expectations, Cloud Computing Guidelines, Pillar Two).
- Fair Lending Compliance: Experience designing architectures to prevent disparate impact in AI/credit systems; understanding of fair lending bias testing and validation.
- AML/KYC: Knowledge of transaction monitoring, sanctions screening, Customer Due Diligence (CDD), and regulatory reporting requirements.
- PIPEDA & Data Privacy: Understanding of Canadian data protection requirements; experience designing privacy-by-design architectures.
- Regulatory Examination: Experience preparing for or supporting OSFI examinations; comfort with regulatory documentation and compliance mapping.
We offer:
- A multinational organization with 60 offices in 20 countries and the possibility to work abroad.
- 15 days (3 weeks) of paid annual leave plus an additional 10 days of personal leave (floating days and sick days).
- A comprehensive insurance plan including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and long-term disability.
- Flexible hybrid policy.
- RRSP with employer’s contribution up to 4%.
- A higher education certification policy.
- On-demand Udemy for Business for all Synechron employees with free access to more than 5000 curated courses.
- Coaching opportunities with experienced colleagues from our Financial Innovation Labs (FinLabs) and Center of Excellences (CoE) groups.
- Cutting edge projects at the world’s leading tier-one banks, financial institutions and insurance firms.
- A truly diverse, fun-loving and global work culture.
SYNECHRON’S DIVERSITY & INCLUSION STATEMENT
Diversity & Inclusion are fundamental to our culture, and Synechron is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. Our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiative ‘Synclusive’ is committed to fostering an inclusive culture – promoting equality, diversity and an environment that is respectful to all. We strongly believe that a diverse workforce helps build stronger, successful businesses as a global company. We encourage applicants from across diverse backgrounds, race, ethnicities, religion, age, marital status, gender, sexual orientations, or disabilities to apply. We empower our global workforce by offering flexible workplace arrangements, mentoring, internal mobility, learning and development programs, and more.
All employment decisions at Synechron are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to the applicant’s gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, disabled or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
