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: 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. 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. Requirements 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 develop