Techno - Functional Payments Architect (Contract)

Toronto, ON, Canada (On-site) Contract (7 months 27 days) Published 5 hours ago General IT (applications, networking, DBMS, OS, middleware, DevOps), financial systems security and compliance Lynx, ACSS, RTP, SWIFT MT/MX, ISO 20022, financial XML schemas Payments architecture, digital transformation, operating model design, global and Canadian payments modernization Enterprise architecture, cloud deployment, payment engine implementation, middleware integration, SOA, EDA API integration, microservices, event - driven platforms, transaction workflows, Finastra GPP, FIS OPF, Volante VolPay, ACI MTS We are seeking a Techno-Functional Payments Architect with deep domain expertise in Canadian and global payments systems. The ideal candidate will bring 12+ years of experience leading payments transformation programs, particularly outside of Cards (e.g., SWIFT, RTP, Lynx), and possess both functional leadership and technical architecture capabilities. The architect will play a key role in designing target operating and architectural models, leading integrations across legacy and modern systems, and shaping scalable, secure, and future-ready payment solutions.

Key Responsibilities:

• Define the Target Architecture Model and Target Operating Model for payment systems transformation.
• Serve as functional lead for enterprise-scale payment modernization programs.
• Lead the design, integration, and implementation of payments applications across legacy and modern platforms.
• Architect solutions involving cloud deployment, microservices, and API integration.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to align payment system architecture with business goals and regulatory requirements.
• Integrate with Canada-specific payment systems: Lynx, ACSS, RTP, and SWIFT (MT, ISO 20022).
• Drive the deployment and operationalization of payment engines/products such as Finastra GPP, FIS OPF, Volante VolPay, ACI MTS, or in-house processors.
• Maintain architectural solutions incorporating middleware, SOA, event-driven design, transaction processing, and workflow orchestration.
• Provide subject matter expertise on financial messaging standards including SWIFT MT/MX, ISO 20022, and XML-based schemas.
• Ensure alignment with compliance and governance standards, particularly for clearing and settlement systems.

Required Qualifications:

• 12+ years of experience in payments transformation programs, focusing on non-Cards areas (e.g., SWIFT, RTP).
• Strong techno-functional expertise across Canada payments infrastructure – Lynx, ACSS, RTP, and SWIFT.
• Proven experience defining and executing enterprise architecture for financial services or banking organizations.
• Hands-on background in implementing and integrating payment engines or platforms in large banks.
• Sound technical awareness of cloud-native architecture, API-first design, microservices, and modern deployment practices.
• Deep understanding of SWIFT standards (MT/MX) and ISO 20022 XML messaging.
• In-depth knowledge of global payments processing, clearing and settlement, and financial compliance.
• Proficiency in designing event-driven and middleware-based payment solutions.
• Strong general IT background in software development, testing, deployment, networking, security, DBMS, and middleware.

Skills Summary:

Core Expertise:

Payments architecture, digital transformation, operating model design, global and Canadian payments modernization

Payments & Messaging Standards:

Lynx, ACSS, RTP, SWIFT MT/MX, ISO 20022, financial XML schemas

Architecture & Design:

Enterprise architecture, cloud deployment, payment engine implementation, middleware integration, SOA, EDA

Technologies & Tools:

API integration, microservices, event-driven platforms, transaction workflows, Finastra GPP, FIS OPF, Volante VolPay, ACI MTS

Technical Proficiencies:

General IT (applications, networking, DBMS, OS, middleware, DevOps), financial systems security and compliance

Soft Skills:

Leadership, cross-functional collaboration, stakeholder communication, strategic planning, regulatory alignment

The pay range that the employer in good faith reasonably expects to pay for this position is $30.97/hour - $48.40/hour. Our benefits include medical, dental, vision and retirement benefits. Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis. Tundra Technical Solutions is among North America’s leading providers of Staffing and Consulting Services. Our success and our clients’ success are built on a foundation of service excellence. We are an equal opportunity employer, and we do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or other applicable legally protected characteristic. Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with applicable law, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act. Unincorporated LA County workers: we reasonably believe that criminal history may have a direct, adverse and negative relationship with the following job duties, potentially resulting in the withdrawal of a conditional offer of employment: client provided property, including hardware (both of which may include data) entrusted to you from theft, loss or damage; return all portable client computer hardware in your possession (including the data contained therein) upon completion of the assignment, and; maintain the confidentiality of client proprietary, confidential, or non-public information. In addition, job duties require access to secure and protected client information technology systems and related data security obligations.