Lead Solution Designer

Join us as a Lead Solution Designer at Barclays where you will spearhead the evolution of our API First digital strategy, driving innovation and operational excellence. You will harness cutting-edge technology to build and manage robust, scalable, and secure APIs, ensuring seamless delivery of our digital solutions. To be successful in this role, you must have demonstrated mastery of software design principles for building secure, fault-tolerant, and scalable enterprise systems. Proven experience designing high-throughput, low-latency systems optimized for financial transaction processing. Proficiency in developing comprehensive high-level and detailed solution designs, including detailed blueprints and precise technical documentation. Strong technical leadership capabilities for resolving complex challenges while effectively mentoring junior team members. Deep expertise in RESTful API design principles and implementation of OpenAPI/Swagger specifications. Advanced knowledge of API security protocols and authentication mechanisms (OAuth2, JWT, mTLS, etc.). Extensive hands-on development experience in Core Java, including proficient use of JPA/Hibernate, Spring framework, mocking frameworks, and enterprise caching solutions. Solid experience managing both relational (RDBMS) and NoSQL database technologies. Comprehensive understanding of event-driven architecture patterns and microservices implementation strategies. Demonstrated ability implementing API analytics and observability solutions to extract meaningful business insights from API usage patterns. Practical experience with API ecosystem components including gateways, service meshes, and proxies. Strong command of agile development methodologies and practices. Proficient with Git (or equivalent version control systems), CI/CD pipelines, and collaborative Git workflows. Exceptional stakeholder management and communication skills across technical and business domains. Some other highly valued skills may include practical coding experience with modern UI technologies including HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript, and frameworks such as Angular, React, etc. Applied knowledge of advanced testing methodologies including TDD, BDD, and automated testing frameworks. Working knowledge of ITIL-based release and change management processes. Hands-on experience with enterprise message broker platforms such as Kafka. Familiarity with comprehensive API lifecycle management, developer portals, and sandbox environments. Experience scaling and governing large API ecosystems with federated ownership models. Advanced troubleshooting capabilities for diagnosing and resolving complex performance issues related to system latency and throughput. The role is based out of Pune. Purpose of the role To drive technical excellence and innovation by leading the design and implementation of robust software solutions, providing mentorship to engineering teams, fostering cross-functional collaboration, and contributing to strategic planning to ensure the delivery of high-quality solutions aligned with business objectives. Accountabilities Provision of guidance and expertise to engineering teams to ensure alignment with best practices and foster a culture of technical excellence. Contribution to strategic planning by aligning technical decisions with business goals, anticipating future technology trends, and providing insights to optimize product roadmaps. Design and implementation of complex, scalable, and maintainable software solutions, considering long-term viability and business objectives. Mentoring and coaching to junior and mid-level engineers to foster professional growth and knowledge sharing, elevating the overall skillset and capabilities of the organization. Collaboration with business partners, product managers, designers, and other stakeholders to translate business requirements into technical solutions and ensure a cohesive approach to product development. Innovation within the organization by identifying and incorporating new technologies, methodologies, and industry practices into the engineering process. Vice President Expectations To contribute or set strategy, drive requirements, and make recommendations for change. Plan resources, budgets, and policies; manage and maintain policies/processes; deliver continuous improvements and escalate breaches of policies/procedures. If the position has leadership responsibilities, People Leaders are expected to demonstrate a clear set of leadership behaviors to create an environment for colleagues to thrive and deliver to a consistently excellent standard. The four LEAD behaviors are: L Listen and be authentic, E Energize and inspire, A Align across the enterprise, D Develop others. OR for an individual contributor, they will be a subject matter expert within own discipline and will guide technical direction. They will lead collaborative, multi-year assignments and guide team members through structured assignments, identify the need for the inclusion of other areas of specialization to complete assignments. They will train, guide and coach less experienced specialists and provide information affecting long-term profits, organizational risks, and strategic decisions. Advise key stakeholders, including functional leadership teams and senior management on functional and cross-functional areas of impact and alignment. Manage and mitigate risks through assessment, in support of the control and governance agenda. Demonstrate leadership and accountability for managing risk and strengthening controls in relation to the work your team does. Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the organization functions to contribute to achieving the goals of the business. Collaborate with other areas of work, for business-aligned support areas to keep up to speed with business activity and the business strategies. Create solutions based on sophisticated analytical thought comparing and selecting complex alternatives. In-depth analysis with interpretative thinking will be required to define problems and develop innovative solutions. Adopt and include the outcomes of extensive research in problem-solving processes. Seek out, build and maintain trusting relationships and partnerships with internal and external stakeholders to accomplish key business objectives, using influencing and negotiating skills to achieve outcomes. All colleagues will be expected to demonstrate the Barclays Values of Respect, Integrity, Service, Excellence, and Stewardship - our moral compass, helping us do what we believe is right. They will also be expected to demonstrate the Barclays Mindset - to Empower, Challenge, and Drive - the operating manual for how we behave.,