Application Architect

Genesis10 is currently seeking an AI Software Architect for a contract position with a Global Financial Institution located in Chicago, IL. This is a 12+ month contract opportunity.
This role involves defining target architectures and technical standards for AI-augmented applications within a transactional FX platform. The ideal candidate will lead the design of reusable AI frameworks and guide the development of Java and C++ based applications, ensuring solutions meet high standards for quality, performance, and security.
Responsibilities:

• Define target architectures, reference patterns, and technical standards for AI-augmented applications
• Design reusable agentic AI frameworks that support prompt and context management, tool integration, and human review
• Evaluate where AI can safely improve engineering productivity, operational processes, and client-facing platform capabilities
• Lead the design, development, modernization, and integration of Java-based applications and C++ services
• Develop high-quality software, automated tests, and well-defined interfaces
• Translate business needs into practical architecture, refined stories, acceptance criteria, estimates, and delivery plans
• Conduct technical spikes and proofs of concept to validate new ideas and reduce delivery risk
• Ensure solutions meet functional and non-functional requirements for availability, performance, scalability, and security
• Improve CI/CD practices and automate manual build, test, release, and operational activities
• Provide technical direction, resolve complex design challenges, and mentor engineers across globally distributed teams

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, or a related discipline
• 15+ years of experience developing server-side Java applications, including significant architecture or technical leadership responsibility
• Demonstrated experience applying AI to software architecture and engineering, including AI-assisted development, agentic workflows, and prompt design
• Expertise in core Java on Linux/UNIX, with strong knowledge of Java/J2EE, Spring Boot, Spring MVC, JVM tuning, multithreading, algorithms, and data structures
• Proficiency in modern C++, including memory management, libraries, concurrency, and complex system design
• Strong object-oriented analysis and design skills, with practical application of design principles and architectural patterns
• Experience designing RESTful APIs and web services, supported by strong SQL and relational-data modeling skills
• Experience with enterprise messaging and event-driven architectures (e.g., IBM MQ, JMS, Kafka, or TIBCO)
• Working knowledge of TCP/IP networking, socket programming, and high-availability design
• Experience with Agile delivery methods and CI/CD practices using tools such as Git, Maven or Gradle, Jenkins, and Ansible
• Experience supporting production systems and diagnosing complex incidents
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, communication, and collaboration skills

Desired skills:

• Python development experience, particularly in production-grade services or automation
• Experience designing and delivering secure, governed agentic AI solutions in an enterprise or regulated environment
• Experience with distributed, low-latency, high-availability trading systems
• Experience developing front-office electronic-trading platforms or other financial-markets applications
• Experience with FIX, KDB+/Q, Quartz, Google Guava, React, or JavaScript
• Experience delivering solutions across cloud, virtual-machine, and software-as-a-service environments
• Experience influencing architecture and engineering standards across globally distributed development teams

Pay range: $63.68 - $71.68 per hour
Only candidates available and ready to work directly as Genesis10 employees will be considered for this position.
If you have the described qualifications and are interested in this exciting opportunity, please apply!
Ranked a Top Staffing Firm in the U.S. by Staffing Industry Analysts for six consecutive years, Genesis10 puts thousands of consultants and employees to work across the United States every year in contract, contract-for-hire, and permanent placement roles. With more than 300 active clients, Genesis10 provides access to many of the Fortune 100 firms and a variety of mid-market organizations across the full spectrum of industry verticals.
For contract roles, Genesis10 offers the benefits listed below. If this is a perm-placement opportunity, our recruiter can talk you through the unique benefits offered for that particular client. Benefits of Working with Genesis10:

• Access to hundreds of clients, most who have been working with Genesis10 for 5-20+ years.
• The opportunity to have a career-home in Genesis10; many of our consultants have been working exclusively with Genesis10 for years.
• Access to an experienced, caring recruiting team (more than 7 years of experience, on average.)
• Behavioral Health Platform
• Medical, Dental, Vision
• Health Savings Account
• Voluntary Hospital Indemnity (Critical Illness & Accident)
• Voluntary Term Life Insurance
• 401K
• Sick Pay (for applicable states/municipalities)
• Commuter Benefits (Dallas, NYC, SF, and Illinois)

For multiple years running, Genesis10 has been recognized as a Top Staffing Firm in the U.S., as a Best Company for Work-Life Balance, as a Best Company for Career Growth, for Diversity, and for Leadership, amongst others. To learn more and to view all our available career opportunities, please visit us at our website.
Genesis10 is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Candidates will receive consideration without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.