Software Architect Sr (Payments)

Software Architect Sr (Payments) Location: PA - Pittsburgh (15222) Position Overview At PNC, our people are our greatest differentiator and competitive advantage in the markets we serve. We are all united in delivering the best experience for our customers. We work together each day to foster an inclusive workplace culture where all of our employees feel respected, valued and have an opportunity to contribute to the company’s success. As a Software Architect Sr within PNC's C&IB' Payments organization, you will be based in Pittsburgh, PA or Dallas, TX. Position Overview The Payments Software Architect Sr is responsible for defining, governing, and guiding the end-to-end solution architecture for assigned Payments capabilities and platforms at PNC. This role operates as part of the Payments Solution Design & Engineering organization and works horizontally across multiple agile delivery teams to ensure solution designs are aligned with the Payments target-state architecture, enterprise standards, and regulatory requirements. The Software Engineer Expert reports into the Director, Payments Solution Design & Engineering and partners closely with engineering, product, risk, and business stakeholders to translate complex Payments domain requirements into scalable, resilient, and secure technical solutions. ________________________________________ Key Responsibilities Solution Architecture & Design • Define and own end-to-end solution architecture for assigned Payments capabilities, platforms, or value streams, under the guidance of the Payments design authority. • Develop solution designs that align with the Payments target-state architecture, enterprise technology standards, and architectural guardrails established by the Director. • Lead solution design activities including architecture diagrams, design specifications, integration models, and non-functional requirements. • Ensure architectural consistency across multiple agile delivery teams and initiatives. Agile Delivery Enablement • Act as the embedded architectural lead across agile delivery teams while maintaining alignment to centralized Payments architecture standards. • Provide hands-on guidance to engineering teams during design, build, testing, and deployment phases. • Participate in sprint planning, design sessions, and technical reviews to ensure architecture is implemented as intended. • Identify and proactively escalate cross-team dependencies and architectural risks to the Director as needed. Payments Domain & Industry Expertise • Apply deep Payments domain knowledge to solution designs, ensuring they reflect real-world payment flows and operational realities. • Design solutions across Payments capabilities including (but not limited to): o Core payment processing and clearing o Payment orchestration, routing, and workflow o Real-time, batch, and high-value payments o Integration with external networks, vendors, and fintech partners o Data, reporting, reconciliation, and operational controls • Incorporate funding, liquidity, settlement timing, exception handling, and resiliency considerations into solution designs. Architecture Governance & Standards • Ensure solution designs comply with Payments and enterprise architecture principles, standards, and patterns. • Participate in architecture design reviews, trade-off discussions, and exception processes led by the Payments design authority. • Partner with the Director and peer Solution Architects to resolve complex design decisions. • Contribute to the evolution of Payments reference architectures, patterns, and best practices. Risk, Security & Compliance • Ensure all solution designs adhere to PNC policies for information security, resiliency, data protection, and operational risk. • Partner with Risk, Security, and Compliance teams to identify and mitigate technology and architectural risks. • Ensure regulatory, scheme, and network rules are appropriately reflected in solution designs. Collaboration & Thought Leadership • Serve as a trusted technical advisor to engineering, product, and business partners. • Clearly communicate architectural decisions, trade-offs, and impacts to technical and non-technical stakeholders. • Contribute to architectural knowledge sharing and continuous improvement across the Payments organization. ________________________________________ Required Technical Skills • Strong expertise in enterprise solution architecture for large-scale, highly available systems. • Hands-on experience with modern architecture patterns, including: o Event-driven and asynchronous architectures o API-first and service-oriented design o Microservices and domain-driven design (DDD) o High-availability, active-active, and resilient system designs • Experience designing solutions across hybrid environments (on-prem and cloud). • Strong understanding of data architecture concepts including transactional processing, reconciliation, operational reporting, and analytics. • Experience integrating vendor platforms and third-party products into enterprise ecosystems. ________________________________________ Payments Industry Product & Network Expertise • Working knowledge of payment networks, schemes, and rails such as: o ACH o Wire payments (e.g., Fedwire, CHIPS) o Real-Time Payments (RTP) and instant payments o SWIFT and international payments • Understanding of industry standards and messaging formats (e.g., ISO 20022) and their architectural implications. • Experience working with payment engines, orchestration platforms, clearing systems, and supporting operational tooling. ________________________________________ Payments Domain Knowledge • Strong understanding of how payment systems operate in practice, including: o End-to-end payment lifecycle and settlement models o Funding, liquidity, and cut-off timing considerations o Risk exposures, exception handling, and recovery scenarios o Operational resiliency, business continuity, and disaster recovery o Regulatory and compliance considerations impacting Payments technology • Ability to translate complex Payments domain requirements into scalable, maintainable, and secure technical designs. ________________________________________ Required Skills & Experience • 12+ years of experience in solution architecture, engineering, or technical leadership roles within financial services. • Proven experience designing and delivering complex Payments or transaction processing systems. • Strong understanding of agile delivery models and how to effectively embed architecture within them. • Ability to influence without authority and collaborate across engineering, product, and risk partners. • Strong communication skills with the ability to articulate complex technical concepts clearly. ________________________________________ Preferred Qualifications • Experience supporting large-scale Payments modernization or transformation initiatives. • Prior experience operating within an architecture governance or design authority model. • Strong executive presence and comfort engaging with senior technology and business leaders. PNC is an in-office company that fosters a supportive culture where employees can thrive and achieve balance. We encourage candidates to connect with their recruiter and hiring manager to understand workplace expectations and ensure the role aligns with their goals. PNC will not provide sponsorship for employment visas or participate in STEM OPT for this position. Job Description Leads in the overall design of cross-functional, multi-platform, and Web-based application systems; oversees all application system processes. Develops application architecture and blueprints aimed at reflecting enterprise business logic. Defines application components, platforms, interfaces, and development tools. Directs mapping activities on specific technology platforms. Provides technical guidance to application development teams. Consults on integration and conversion activities. Conducts reviews, and analyses organizational needs and goals to develop and implement applications. PNC Employees take pride in our reputation and to continue building upon that we expect our employees to be: Customer Focused - Knowledgeable of the values and practices that align customer needs and satisfaction as primary considerations in all business decisions and able to leverage that information in creating customized customer solutions. Managing Risk - Assessing and effectively managing all of the risks associated with their business objectives and activities to ensure they adhere to and support PNC's Enterprise Risk Management Framework. Qualifications Successful candidates must demonstrate appropriate knowledge, skills, and abilities for a role. Listed below are skills, competencies, work experience, education, and required certifications/licensures needed to be successful in this position. Preferred Skills Competitive Advantages, Customer Solutions, Design, End to End Business Process, Enterprise Architecture Framework, Event Driven Architecture (EDA), Machine Learning (ML), Microservices Architecture, Risk Assessments, Technical Knowledge Competencies Analytical Thinking, Application Development Tools, Industry Knowledge, IT Architecture, Platform Architecture, Products and Services, Service Oriented Architecture Technologies, Software Process Improvement (SPI) Work Experience Roles at this level typically require a university / college degree. Higher level education such as a Masters degree, PhD, or certifications is desirable. Industry relevant experience is typically 8+ years. Specific certifications are often required. In lieu of a degree, a comparable combination of education, job specific certification(s), and experience (including military service) may be considered. Education Bachelors Certifications No Required Certification(s) Licenses No Required License(s) Benefits PNC offers a comprehensive range of benefits to help meet your needs now and in the future. Depending on your eligibility, options for full-time employees include: medical/prescription drug coverage (with a Health Savings Account feature), dental and vision options; employee and spouse/child life insurance; short and long-term disability protection; 401(k) with PNC match, pension and stock purchase plans; dependent care reimbursement account; back-up child/elder care; adoption, surrogacy, and doula reimbursement; educational assistance, including select programs fully paid; a robust wellness program with financial incentives. In addition, PNC generally provides the following paid time off, depending on your eligibility: maternity and/or parental leave; up to 11 paid holidays each year; 9 occasional absence days each year, unless otherwise required by law; between 15 to 25 vacation days each year, depending on career level; and years of service. To learn more about these and other programs, including benefits for full time and part-time employees, visit pncthrive.com. Disability Accommodations Statement If an accommodation is required to participate in the application process, please contact us via email at AccommodationRequest@pnc.com. Please include “accommodation request” in the subject line title and be sure to include your name, the job ID, and your preferred method of contact in the body of the email. Emails not related to accommodation requests will not receive responses.  Applicants may also call 877-968-7762 and say "Workday" for accommodation assistance. All information provided will be kept confidential and will be used only to the extent required to provide needed reasonable accommodations. Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) This position is subject to the requirements of Section 19 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (FDIA) and, for any registered role, the Secure and Fair Enforcement for Mortgage Licensing Act of 2008 (SAFE Act) and/or the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), which prohibit the hiring of individuals with certain criminal history. California Residents Refer to the California Consumer Privacy Act Privacy Notice to gain understanding of how PNC may use or disclose your personal information in our hiring practices. Additional Locations: TX - Farmers Branch