6 month initial contract - extension opportunity Melbourne based; hybrid working model Must have Australian Working rights Banking/payments experience essential Our client is seeking highly experienced and strategic Solution Architect to lead the design and delivery of scalable, secure, and innovative solutions for the Payments Platform. The ideal candidate will bring deep expertise in payments architecture, card issuing and acquiring, digital channels, and integration technologies, with a strong understanding of industry standards such as ISO 8583, ISO 20022, and EMV. Key Responsibilities: Define and maintain the target state architecture and roadmaps for Connex, ensuring alignment with business and technology strategies. Lead solution design for card issuing, acquiring, switching, and merchant services platforms. Provide technical leadership across digital transformation initiatives, including real-time payments, eCommerce, and omni-channel experiences. Collaborate with stakeholders to elicit requirements, assess feasibility, and guide platform evolution. Evaluate and integrate vendor solutions, ensuring compliance with scheme certifications and security standards. Architect solutions using event-driven architecture, microservices, and cloud-native technologies (Azure/AWS). Ensure non-functional requirements such as performance, scalability, security, and supportability are met. Mentor junior architects and contribute to architectural governance and best practices. Required Skills & Experience: Extensive experience in solution architecture within payments and banking domains. Proven experience with Connex or similar switching platforms. Strong knowledge of card scheme operations, tokenization, 3D Secure, contactless payments, and digital wallets. Expertise in ISO 8583, ISO 20022, AS2805, and SWIFT messaging protocols. Hands-on experience with cloud platforms (Azure, AWS), containerization, and integration technologies (Web Services, MQ). Familiarity with Visa, Mastercard, UnionPay, and eCommerce gateways (e.g., Cybersource, MPGS). Strong stakeholder management and communication skills. Experience in solutioning across issuing and acquiring landscapes. To be considered for the role click the 'apply' button or for more information about this and other opportunities please contact Gizaille Shaheen on 03 86804305 or email: Gshaheen@paxus.com.au and quote the above job reference number. J-18808-Ljbffr