Solution Architect – Core Banking & Payments

Role overview A freelance Solution Architect is needed to shape the technical blueprint for a Digital Euro pilot that connects central bank digital currency (CBDC) components with core banking and payment platforms. The position is a senior, contract-based engagement focused on integration design, vendor evaluation, and executive-level architecture recommendations during the early pilot phases. Work is remote, with occasional travel to Vienna for in-person workshops or steering committee meetings.

Responsibilities - Define the target architecture for a Digital Euro solution, ensuring alignment with enterprise standards, security posture, and applicable regulatory requirements. - Design integration patterns between CBDC components and core banking systems, payment platforms, and liquidity or settlement services. - Assess central versus local deployment models across multiple entities and recommend an approach. - Lead vendor and solution assessments, including build-versus-buy analyses and formal architecture reviews. - Facilitate architecture workshops, surface risks, and support decision-making throughout each pilot phase. - Produce executive-ready architecture recommendations and present them to steering committee audiences.

Requirements - Strong payments architecture background covering SEPA, Instant Payments, Cards, Open Banking, and Request-to-Pay. - Deep expertise in ISO 20022 messaging (pain, pacs, camt) and SWIFT MT/MX formats. - Hands-on experience with TARGET services such as T2/T2S and TIPS, including settlement, liquidity, and reconciliation. - Proven track record integrating core banking systems and payment hubs. - Solid understanding of real-time and high-volume payment processing architectures.

Nice to have - Prior involvement with CBDC or Digital Euro initiatives. - Familiarity with European Central Bank Digital Euro architecture and wallet ecosystems. - Experience supporting multi-country deployments and group-level architecture work. - Working proficiency in German.

Benefits and work setup - Initial two-month contract with extensions expected. - Full-time workload delivered on a freelance basis (daily rate, limited company, umbrella, or sole trader arrangement). - Primarily remote, with occasional on-site presence in Vienna.