Lead Architect/Technical Lead

Lead Architect / Technical Lead - Data Ingestion Platform (Contingency Bid Role)

Location: Remote (occasional client-site travel, Europe) Engagement: Freelance / Contract Language: English and/or German Start: Immediately for bid support; project delivery from 15 June 2026

The Opportunity

We are preparing a proposal for a pan-European institutional investment manager to rebuild and extend a financial data ingestion and validation portal. The platform handles financial data from approximately 100 external service providers including property managers, fund administrators, and local accountants, and the mandate covers discovery, delivery, testing, and handover across multiple user stories.

We are looking for an experienced Lead Architect or Senior Technical Lead to join our bid team and, on award, lead technical delivery of the project.

This is a contingency arrangement. Bid support is unpaid, in exchange for a guaranteed named role on the project at a competitive day rate if we are selected. This structure mirrors the arrangement across our wider bid team, and full terms will be agreed before any work begins.

The Bid

Our proposal submission deadline is 29 May 2026. Your contribution will be focused and time-bounded: we are not asking for open-ended commitment. You would own the solution design and technical approach sections of the proposal, produce a high-level architecture diagram aligned to the client's existing stack, define the integration approach between the portal, AI engine, and cloud data platform, and support the client presentation process if required.

The Project

The existing platform uses Java/Spring, Hibernate, REST API, and Apache Kafka for the backend; PostgreSQL for the database; React for the frontend; and Docker on Kubernetes in a private cloud. MS Azure public cloud is under consideration for new components.

The work spans automated financial file ingestion, AI-assisted data validation and mapping, anomaly detection, accounting ontology development, and natural language rule configuration - all delivered in an Agile sprint model. The discovery phase is planned to begin 15 June 2026.

What We're Looking For

Proven experience as a Solution Architect or Senior Technical Lead on bespoke software development projects
Strong command of Java/Spring backend architecture and REST API design
Familiarity with event-driven systems (Kafka or equivalent)
Experience with containerised cloud infrastructure (Kubernetes; Azure a plus)
Ability to articulate architecture decisions clearly in written proposals and client presentations
Comfortable working in Agile/sprint delivery environments
Experience in financial services, fintech, or data-intensive regulated environments is a strong plus
AI/ML integration experience is relevant but not essential
German language skills are advantageous; English is required
What We're Offering

A senior Lead Architect role with real ownership of technical direction on a high-quality engagement for a sophisticated European institutional client
Day rate of €850-1,100 on project award, with scope to discuss based on experience
A small, senior bid team where your input will shape the solution from the outset
Bid phase commitment is modest - a few focused days of input, not weeks of unpaid work
To Apply