Lead Architect Digital Assets

We are hiring on behalf of our client an established leading European regulated financial institution who is expanding its digital assets capabilities to build the next generation of financial market infrastructure. The organization is seeking a Lead Architect Digital Assets to lead a zero-to-one build bridging traditional capital markets with decentralised finance (DeFi).

This mandate involves architecting the core platform behind initial tokenised offerings across two major live initiatives currently in design:

1. Tokenised Issuance Trading and Settlement Platform: Supporting equities ETFs and bonds with a 24/7 central limit order book fractional trading CCP-cleared trades and end-of-day atomic DvP settlement on-chain.
2. Tokenised Collateral-Management Platform: Designed for sovereign bonds to enable real-time repo CCP-margin eligibility and DeFi distribution of government securities through gated lending venues.

The architecture is built on core principles: the token serves as the direct financial instrument one ISIN corresponds to one ledger and tokenisation is driven directly by the CSD. The Lead Architect will turn these principles into a concrete secure resilient and auditable infrastructure.

• Architecture & System Design: Own the end-to-end architecture for digital asset solutions seamlessly integrating distributed ledger technology (DLT) with traditional market infrastructure (trading clearing settlement custody and CSD).
• Cross-Chain & Network Topology: Design cross-chain topology combining permissioned chains for institutional and CCP operations (e.g. Hyperledger Besu Canton Network) with public chains for DeFi distribution (Ethereum / L2).
• On-Chain Compliance & Governance: Define regulatory compliance frameworks on-chain utilizing regulated security-token standards (ERC-3643 / T-REX) KYC-whitelisted wallets automated transfer restrictions real-time AML screening (Chainalysis / Elliptic) and transaction reporting under MiFIR.
• Custody & Key Management: Architect robust custody models around MPC solutions (e.g. Fireblocks Taurus) incorporating hybrid frameworks to support bring-your-own-custody (BYOC) for institutional clients.
• Security & Quality Standards: Establish code quality code review testing and secure-by-design standards. Conduct threat modelling and lead security architecture prior to onboarding a dedicated security lead.
• AI-Augmented Software Delivery: Define implement and govern an AI-assisted software delivery process using coding assistants smart-contract scaffolding and AI-generated test suites while enforcing strict risk and review guardrails.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with product legal regulatory clearing CSD and client working groups to maintain alignment with business objectives and regulatory frameworks (e.g. DLT Pilot Regime MiFID II MiCA).
• Technical & Operational Leadership: Make key build/buy/partner evaluations on blockchain networks custody and audit solutions. Guide team evolution as products move from build to operational phases maintaining hands-on involvement during critical incidents.

Requirements

• Experience: Minimum 7 years of solution architecture experience including at least 3 years dedicated to DLT or blockchain projects within high-value 24/7 financial systems.
• DLT & Distributed Systems Expertise: Deep fluency with EVM and permissioned chains (e.g. Canton Hyperledger Besu).
• Regulated Token Standards: Hands-on experience with regulated security token standards (ERC-3643 / T-REX or equivalent) on-chain compliance models and security considerations around smart contracts and cross-chain bridges.
• Capital Markets Knowledge: Strong working knowledge of capital markets settlement mechanisms (delivery-versus-payment CSD operations CCP/clearing) to effectively design system integrations.
• AI Engineering Competency: Proven ability to evaluate select and integrate AI tooling into the development lifecycle (e.g. testing scaffolding) while establishing strict guardrails around prompt hygiene secret security and license provenance. Ability to specify in-product AI capabilities (e.g. anomaly detection) with proper risk controls.
• Leadership & Communication: Strong decision-making skills and composure under pressure. Excellent stakeholder management skills to bridge technical business legal and regulatory domains.
• Education: Bachelors degree in Computer Science Engineering or a related technical field. Professional certifications in cloud or blockchain technologies are advantageous.
• Work Arrangement: Openness to work onsite in Paris France 4 days per week.

• Competitive annual salary ().
• Key role within a high-visibility zero-to-one build backed by an established Tier-1 European financial institution.
• Exposure to cutting-edge capital markets infrastructure and regulatory frameworks (MiCA DLT Pilot Regime).
• Comprehensive employee benefits package as provided by our client.

Due to the high volume of applications we anticipate we regret that we are unable to provide individual feedback to all candidates. If you do not hear back from us within 4 weeks of your application please assume that you have not been successful on this occasion. We genuinely appreciate your interest and wish you the best in your job search.

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Required Experience:

Senior IC