Solution Architect

Ford Credit Europe (FCE Bank), a vital part of the global Ford Motor Company, is embarking on an ambitious platform modernization journey. Our mission is to transform our business by enhancing customer experiences, ensuring regulatory compliance, and driving operational efficiencies through platform modernization. We're rearchitecting our core applications and platforms, migrating to unified, modern, scalable, and secure solutions on Google Cloud.

As Senior Enterprise / Solution Architect, you will be at the forefront of this strategic transformation. You'll play a pivotal role in shaping the future of Ford Credit Europe by guiding multiple teams through the migration to modern cloud-based platforms. Your expertise in financial services, cloud technology, and enterprise architecture will be crucial in steering our modernization efforts and ensuring a seamless transition for both our business partners and banking customers.

In this role, you'll collaborate closely with engineering product teams and business leaders to define and align technical and business strategies at the enterprise level. You'll have the opportunity to influence the technological direction of our organization, devising innovative solutions that drive growth and efficiency.

Join us, and be a catalyst for change in a dynamic environment where your contributions will have a lasting impact on our business and the customers we serve. Together, we'll build the next generation of financial services on a cutting-edge cloud platform.

Responsibilities

1. Strategic Technology Vision / Roadmap: Partner with our Product and Engineering teams to craft and document Ford Credit Europe's long-term technology vision and strategy, ensuring alignment with our overall business goals. Spot opportunities for modernization and innovation.
2. Architecture Design and Governance: Design, develop, and maintain our enterprise architecture artifacts, encompassing integration, network, security, and application layers. Define and champion architecture standards, principles, and guidelines, ensuring consistency and interoperability across our Product Teams. Lead Technical Design Authority review meetings.
3. Technology Evaluation and Selection: Collaborate with business teams to evaluate new technologies, solutions, and SaaS platforms. Lead RFP assessments and spearhead proof-of-concept projects for promising technologies.
4. Solution Architecture: Work with product teams to design and implement robust, scalable, and secure solutions aligned with our enterprise architecture. Mentor and guide other architects and engineers.
5. Collaboration and Communication: Effectively convey complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences. Work effectively with stakeholders across Europe, India, and North America.
6. Documentation and Knowledge Sharing: Maintain comprehensive documentation of our enterprise architecture, including diagrams, models, and standards.

Skills & Experience Required

1. Experience leading cross-functional teams through large-scale technology transformation initiatives within the financial industry.
2. Proven track record as an Enterprise Architect, with experience in successful modernization projects and migrating applications to the cloud.
3. Strong knowledge of cloud computing platforms, specifically Google Cloud Platform (GCP) and associated best practices.
4. Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills with strong emphasis on follow-through.
5. Proficiency in developing Enterprise/Solution Architecture artifacts using standard architecture frameworks such as TOGAF/Zachman.
6. Knowledge of modern application technologies and platforms such as SalesForce, AEM, MFEs, Graph, Apollo, React.

Skills & Experience Preferred

1. Experience in Banking and Financial Regulatory Reporting space.
2. Knowledge of Security and identity management architecture standards.
3. Familiarity with modern software development methodologies, DevOps practices, and agile/SAFE frameworks.
4. Implementation knowledge of common FinTech Core Banking platforms.
5. Familiarity with financial regulations and privacy standards in EU banking.
6. Ability to work on multiple projects in a fast-paced & dynamic environment.
7. Exposure to multiple, diverse technologies and platforms.
8. Understanding of legacy platforms such as WAS, AS400, and DB2.

Qualifications & Background

1. Degree in computer science/engineering, data science, or related field.
2. 10+ years of experience in Enterprise/Solution/Cloud Architecture.
3. Google Professional Cloud Architect certification preferred.