Technical Architect ( ACH Implementation ) - Hands on Role

Contract Opportunity: Technical Architect (ACH Implementation) – Hands-On Role

We are seeking a highly experienced, hands-on Technical Architect with deep expertise in ACH (Automated Clearing House) payment processing to lead the end-to-end architecture, build, integration, and deployment of our ACH capabilities. This is not just an advisory role — we need someone who has personally implemented ACH systems across all layers and can roll up their sleeves to drive execution.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and actively contribute to the entire ACH implementation lifecycle—from requirements and solution architecture to development and production rollout.

• Design and build ACH processing flows: origination, validation, file generation/parsing, settlement, reconciliation, returns, and NOC automation.

• Perform hands-on engineering on ACH modules:

 - Outbound/inbound ACH file processors

 - Microservices/APIs for payment flows

 - SFTP/PGP secure transmission

 - Error handling, logging, monitoring

• Integrate directly with ODFIs, RDFIs, and ACH operators, interpreting bank specs and certification requirements.

• Ensure full compliance with NACHA rules, security standards, and financial controls.

• Lead end-to-end testing, bank certification, exception flow testing, and operational readiness.

• Deliver comprehensive documentation, operational guides, and knowledge transfer.

• Support cutover planning, deployment, and post-go-live stabilization.

Required Experience

• 8+ years in payments engineering/architecture with direct hands-on ACH implementation experience.

• Ability to design AND build ACH systems—not just oversee them.

• Deep knowledge of NACHA rules, ACH file formats (PPD, CCD, CTX, IAT), return codes, NOCs, prenotes, and settlement cycles.

• Strong backend engineering skills (Java, .NET, Node.js, or similar).

• Expertise in SFTP, PGP encryption, API design, microservices, and cloud environments (AWS/Azure/GCP).

• Prior consulting/contract roles delivering ACH or payment rail implementations.

• Excellent communication skills for workshops, stakeholder management, and bank collaboration.

What We’re Looking For

• A hands-on technologist who has personally built ACH systems end-to-end.

• A practical architect who can bridge strategy + implementation + delivery.

• Someone who thrives in an autonomous consulting role and drives results quickly.