About the Role

Our client is seeking an experienced Cards Issuing Architect to lead the architecture, design, and implementation of card issuing solutions. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in the banking and payments domain, with deep expertise in cards issuing platforms, enterprise architecture, API integrations, and modern cloud-native technologies.

This role requires someone who can bridge business and technology by designing scalable, secure, and compliant solutions while collaborating with business stakeholders, technology teams, and external vendors.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and architect end-to-end Cards Issuing solutions for Credit, Debit, and Prepaid card products.
• Lead solution architecture for the complete card lifecycle including issuance, activation, renewal, replacement, and digital provisioning.
• Translate business requirements into scalable, secure, and high-performing technical solutions.
• Define architecture standards, governance, and best practices across card issuing platforms.
• Design and oversee integrations with Core Banking systems, Fraud Management platforms, Digital Banking applications, and Digital Wallets.
• Develop API-driven architectures using REST/Open APIs and modern integration frameworks.
• Ensure solutions comply with PCI-DSS, EMV, tokenization, cryptography, and regulatory standards.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including Product, Engineering, Infrastructure, Security, and external vendors.
• Support architecture reviews, technical documentation, and stakeholder presentations.
• Drive innovation by adopting cloud-native architectures, microservices, DevOps, and automation practices.

Required Skills & Experience

Domain Expertise

• 8–10 years of experience within Banking, Cards, or Payments.
• Strong expertise in Cards Issuing across Credit, Debit, and Prepaid products.
• In-depth understanding of the complete card lifecycle.
• Experience with Digital Banking, Customer Onboarding, KYC/AML, and Risk Management.
• Knowledge of Enterprise Architecture frameworks such as TOGAF.

Technical Skills

• Hands-on experience with card issuing platforms such as:
  • TSYS PRIME
  • FIS
  • First Data
  • Equivalent card issuing platforms
• Strong knowledge of:
  • Visa
  • Mastercard
  • UnionPay
  • BIN Management
  • EMV
  • Tokenization
• Experience designing and integrating REST APIs and Open APIs.
• Integration experience with:
  • Core Banking Systems
  • Fraud Management Platforms
  • Apple Pay
  • Google Pay
• Strong understanding of:
  • Microservices Architecture
  • SOA
  • Docker
  • Kubernetes
  • AWS, Azure, or GCP
  • CI/CD pipelines
  • DevOps practices

Architecture & Leadership

• Solution Architecture and Enterprise Design.
• Architecture governance and design reviews.
• Stakeholder and vendor management.
• Strong communication, presentation, and documentation skills.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving capabilities.

Preferred Certifications

• TOGAF
• Enterprise Architecture Certification
• SOA Certification
• AWS / Azure / GCP Cloud Certification
• Microservices Architecture Certification

Education

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or related discipline.
• MCA or Master's Degree in Computer Science is an advantage.

What We're Looking For

• Banking or financial services background is essential.
• Strong architecture experience within Cards Issuing environments.
• Ability to lead technical discussions with business and technology stakeholders.
• Immediate joiners or candidates with a notice period of 30 days or less will be given preference.