Solutions Architect (Senior)

About Discovery 

Discovery’s core purpose is to make people healthier and to enhance and protect their lives. We seek out and invest in exceptional individuals who understand and support our core purpose, and whose own values align with those of Discovery. Our fast-paced and dynamic environment enables smart, self-driven people to be their best. As global thought leaders, Discovery is passionate about innovating in order to not only achieve financial success, but to ignite positive and meaningful change within our society.

About Cogence

Cogence is the first global discretionary fund manager in South Africa. It marries the expertise of Discovery, whose behaviour-change platform is the largest of its kind, and BlackRock, one of the world's leading asset managers. Cogence then combines this with the local investment management expertise of RisCura, who intimately understands the local market within a global context.

 Using Aladdin Wealth™, BlackRock's industry-leading investment and risk technology platform, and Vitality insights and data, Cogence is the world's first discretionary fund manager that fully models retirement solutions, taking health experience into account.

Through an unmatched digital experience, Cogence helps financial advisers cut through investment complexity with efficiency, clarity and confidence. This results in smart, seamless solutions that help advisers grow their businesses.

Key Purpose

The Technical Lead / Solutions Architect is responsible for owning the technical integrity, architectural direction, and long‑term sustainability of a complex, data‑heavy financial software platform.

The primary purpose of the role is to ensure that the system is correctly designed, robust, scalable, and fit for long‑term product evolution, while actively reducing technical risk. This includes making and defending critical architectural decisions, guiding engineers through complex implementation challenges, and ensuring that financial data and calculations are accurate, auditable, and delivered in a way that supports both product and business needs.

Objectives of this role

We are seeking a highly experienced Technical Lead - Solutions Architect to take ownership of the design, implementation, and evolution of a complex financial software platform. This is a senior, hands-on role for someone who enjoys solving hard problems, shaping architecture, and mentoring engineers.

The person will play a critical role in shaping system architecture, making key technical decisions, mentoring engineers, and ensuring the platform is built with long-term sustainability, scalability, and correctness in mind.

Responsibilities

• Lead system architecture across backend, frontend, and data layers
• Design and review complex solutions; contribute code where needed
• Build and guide Java / Spring Boot microservices
• Oversee SQL database design and data-heavy workflows
• Provide technical guidance on Angular / React initiatives
• Mentor engineers and support a growing, relatively junior team
• Take full ownership of technical decisions and outcomes

Preferred Competencies

Key Technical Skills

• Strong experience with Java and Spring Boot (microservices)
• Solid SQL and database design experience
• Working knowledge of Angular and/or React
• Proven experience in a Tech Lead or Solutions Architect role

Domain & Background

• Experience in a product-based technology environment
• Exposure to financial systems, asset management, or financial reporting
• Strong understanding of complex data, calculations, and reporting flows
• Background combining technology and business/finance is highly valued

Personal Attributes

• Strong sense of ownership and accountability
• “Been-there-before” experience — able to anticipate problems early
• Patient, clear communicator who enjoys mentoring and teaching
• Comfortable operating in a complex, domain-heavy environment

Education and Experience

Minimum Required

• One of the following formal tertiary qualifications, obtained from a recognised South African or international institution:
• Bachelor’s degree in computer science
• Bachelor’s Degree in Information Technology
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering (Software / Computer / Electrical / Electronic)
• BCom with Information Systems / Computer Science / IT

Strongly Advantageous (but not mandatory)

• A business or finance component in the qualification (e.g. Economics, Accounting, Financial Management)
• Dual or hybrid backgrounds such as BCom (IT/Economics) or similar
• Formal exposure to financial accounting, data analysis, or information systems

Experience requirements

• 10+ years of professional software engineering experience
• Proven experience as a Technical Lead or Solutions Architect
• Hands‑on ownership of complex production systems
• Deep understanding of data, domain complexity, and system design
• Bonus: Experience in a DFM, asset manager, or financial services technology company.

EMPLOYMENT EQUITY   
                             
The Company’s approved Employment Equity Plan and Targets will be considered as part of the recruitment process. As an Equal Opportunities employer, we actively encourage and welcome people with various disabilities to apply.