doodleblue Innovations - Solution Architect - Card & Merchant Management Platforms (7-10 yrs)

Experience : 7+ years in IT/Technology, with 4+ years as a Solution Architect in Cards & Merchant Management

Education : Bachelor's/Master's degree in Computer Science, IT, or Business Administration

Job Purpose :

The Solution Architect is responsible for designing scalable, secure, and compliant end-to-end payment solutions across Credit, Debit, Prepaid, Fraud, Personalization, IVR, Interchanges, Payment Gateway, ATMs, and POS Acquiring services.

The role involves ensuring optimal IT, operational, and infrastructure alignment while meeting compliance, risk, and audit standards.

Roles and Responsibilities :

- Act as the primary solution design expert for projects in the payments domain.

- Develop architecture strategies by aligning business and IT stakeholders.

- Design and implement secure, scalable payment systems across multi-tier platforms.

- Translate functional, technical, and business requirements into architectural frameworks.

- Collaborate with Project Managers & Business Analysts to define project scope.

- Conduct proof of concepts for emerging technologies.

- Act as the key liaison for clients, ensuring optimal requirement gathering and solution fit.

- Provide input on solution proposals, including architecture design and cost estimates.

- Lead end-to-end payment solution design, covering :

1. EMV card personalization

2. Scheme affiliations

3. Credit, Debit, and Prepaid CMS

4. Network & Infrastructure planning

5. Fraud monitoring, chargeback, settlement, and certification

6. Capacity planning and scaling

- Ensure seamless project handovers to the PMO and support project execution.

- Work with the Enterprise Architecture team to ensure compliance with company standards.

Skills & Experience Required :

- 7+ years of IT/Technology experience in a recognized international organization, preferably in financial services.

- 4+ years as a Solution Architect specializing in Card & Merchant Management Platforms.

- 3+ years of experience managing distributed teams at a leadership level.

- Expertise in payment processing and card management systems.

- Strong knowledge of analytical tools, methodologies, and best practices for solution design.

- Experience in end-to-end costing of solutions.

- Ability to develop technical documentation and presentations.

- Strong negotiation, stakeholder management, and decision-making skills.

- Ability to operate in multi-cultural environments with strong awareness of Middle East payment ecosystems (preferred).

Technical & Industry Knowledge (Added Advantage) :

- Payment & Card Systems : Base24, WAY4, PRM, DCMS, PCMS

- ATM/POS Solutions

Key Competencies :

- Strategic & Analytical Thinking

- Excellent Communication & Negotiation

- Strong Relationship & Stakeholder Management

- Clear & Scalable Solution Design

- Ability to Operate in High-Pressure Environments