System Architect - Group Technology

Our purpose is to provide clients with access to global financial and commodities markets, improving price discovery, liquidity, and distribution of data, through responsible and innovative solutions.

Through our people and technology, we connect clients to superior liquidity and data solutions.

The Group is home to a stable of premium brands. Collectively, TP ICAP is the largest interdealer broker in the world by revenue, the number one Energy & Commodities broker in the world, the world’s leading provider of OTC data, and an award winning all-to-all trading platform.

The Group operates from more than 60 offices in 27 countries.  We are 5,300 people strong.  We work as one to achieve our vision of being the world’s most trusted, innovative, liquidity and data solutions specialist.

Role Overview

The System Architect is responsible for defining and delivering the shared technical and architectural vision for the delivered as part of the Agile Release Train (ART).

The technology includes systems (applications, processes and information), shared infrastructure services, shared application services, and their effective integration across Global Broking Rates and FX. The System Architect is working to align Feature teams to this vision and ensure the systems under development support the evolving business need and enables fast reliable implementation of value.

As a core role steering the wider team alongside the Release Train Engineer (RTE) & Product Managers, the System Architect collaborates with the Feature teams to design and develop the architecture and create the Architecture Runway in line with Enterprise standards, patterns and roadmaps.

Role Responsibilities

• Define Architecture vision – The System Architect’s primary responsibility is defining the architecture vision and communicating it clearly to the ART. Consulting with product management to translate vision into ART backlog Epics for effective implementation.

• Align Architecture with the business, priorities and the vision – The System Architect defines, evolves, and maintains the architectural runway ensuring the delivery of business value. Collaborating with Product to design a solution which is technically feasible with architectural enablers. Ensure alignment with the Enterprise Architectural vision and ensure the ART’s system is in line with it, as well as ensuring its contribution to the wider TP ICAP Architecture capability.

• Support DevOps – The System Architect supports with the design of a continuous delivery pipeline and DevOps practices, participating in the release governance process by assessing technology impacts for specific releases. Responsible for maintaining architecture and system tools, documentation, and other technical assets.

• Fostering Built-in Quality – Promote system design that creates built-in quality, reusability and manage Non-Functional Requirements (NFRs) for the wider team. As the System Architect you define NFRs and provide guidance for their timely and effective implementation to avoid NFRs building up and impacting the system.

• Evolve System Design with teams – System Architects establish sustainable interactions with sub-teams to gather feedback on architecture design and the realities of implementation to validate or evolve architectural ideas.

Experience / Competences

Experience

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, system analysis or a related study, or equivalent experience

• Extensive experience in technical architecture and one of the following IT solution development disciplines: application development (front-end web applications and/or back-end), middleware, infrastructure engineering

• Good understanding of emerging technology trends and evolving business and operating models

• Experience working with large cross-functional teams

• Experience working in Agile environments with an understanding of Agile delivery frameworks and the Product lifecycle

• Exposure to multiple, diverse technologies and processing environments

• Experience of designing and delivering modern architecture and display a sound understanding of architectural and design principles

• Preferred: Knowledge of Interest Rates Derivatives / Fixed Income / FX products

• Preferred: Experience of Inter-Dealer Broking

• Preferred: Experience in Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe)

Core Skills

• Strong technical leadership skills

• Ability to set and deliver on outcome-focused goals, using Objectives and Key Results (OKRs) as a goal setting metric

• Exceptional interpersonal skills, including teamwork, facilitation and negotiation

• Excellent analytical and technical skills

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

• Excellent planning and organizational skills

• Leading and working with domain SMEs to drive design

• Ability to advise on technology issues at all levels, identify and advocate ways to improve effectiveness in solution design and implementation

• Own, define and review non-functional requirements

• Develop and communicate the solution architecture across multiple applications to deliver agreed business outcomes

• Enable teams in their application design in line with the solution architecture

• Identify, assess and implement new and emerging technologies, products, services, methods and techniques to improve the solution

• Ability to work with on-shore and off-shore stakeholders and developers

• Assist with ensuring third parties adhere to TP ICAP technical architecture and design principles

Technical Skills

• Significant enterprise systems development hands-on experience (C#, Java, C++ or similar OO stack) and web app technologies

• Cloud technologies: IaaS, PaaS, containerisation, cloud security, public cloud platforms such as AWS (preferred), Azure, GCP

• SOA (Service Orientated Architecture) expertise

• Understanding of software testing frameworks/strategies

• API and system integration: REST, GraphQL, message middleware, data integration

• Full stack security posture: IDS, code vulnerability detection, code security, authentication and authorisation

• DevOps: Continuous Integration and/or Continuous Delivery, tooling such as Git repos, code pipelines, IaC (Infrastructure as Code)

• Design patterns: BFF, domain driven architecture, composable architecture, micro-services

• Understanding of software code management (code coverage security hotspots, maintainability of code), application and automated testing, Git repo branching strategies

Band & level: Manager, 7

#LI-MID #LI-Hybrid

Not The Perfect Fit?

Concerned that you may not meet the criteria precisely? At TP ICAP, we wholeheartedly believe in fostering inclusivity and cultivating a work environment where everyone can flourish, regardless of your personal or professional background. If you are enthusiastic about this role but find that your experience doesn't align perfectly with every aspect of the job description, we strongly encourage you to apply. You may be the ideal candidate for this position or another opportunity within our organisation. Our dedicated Talent Acquisition team is here to assist you in recognising how your unique skills and abilities can be a valuable contribution. Don't hesitate to take the leap and explore the possibilities. Your potential is what truly matters to us.

Company Statement

We know that the best innovation happens when diverse people with different perspectives and skills work together in an inclusive atmosphere. That's why we're building a culture where everyone plays a part in making people feel welcome, ready and willing to contribute. TP ICAP Accord - our Employee Network - is a central to this. As well as representing specific groups, TP ICAP Accord helps increase awareness, collaboration, shares best practice, and holds our firm to account for driving continuous cultural improvement. 

Location

UK - 135 Bishopsgate - London