Application Architect – Cloud‑Native Solutions (Contract)

About the role

We are looking for an experienced Application Architect to join a major financial‑services transformation programme. You will design and govern cloud‑native solutions on Azure, helping to build a modern, scalable platform.

Key responsibilities

• Design and implement Azure‑based cloud‑native architectures, including AKS, Azure Functions and API Management.
• Lead the adoption of microservices, containerisation, Kubernetes and CI/CD pipelines.
• Collaborate with engineering teams to embed DevSecOps practices.
• Define and govern modern API and web‑application standards.
• Engage with senior stakeholders across the financial‑services domain to ensure alignment with business goals.

Required profile

• Proven experience as an Application Architect on large‑scale transformation programmes.
• Strong Azure expertise, particularly with AKS, Azure Functions and API Management.
• Hands‑on experience with microservices, Kubernetes, containerisation, CI/CD and DevSecOps.
• Software‑engineering background, preferably Java.
• Experience designing modern APIs and web applications.
• Financial‑services exposure (pensions, insurance or wealth management) is a plus.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and ability to guide engineering teams.

Required skills

• Azure
• AKS (Azure Kubernetes Service)
• Azure Functions
• API Management
• Microservices
• Kubernetes
• Containerisation
• CI/CD
• DevSecOps
• Java