Role - FIS IST Switch Expert
Location - London, UK
Type of Employment - Contract
Role Overview
The FIS IST Switch Expert will be responsible for the design, implementation, optimization, and support of the FIS International Switching (IST) platform, ensuring high availability, regulatory compliance, and seamless transaction processing across ATM, POS, and digital payment channels.
Key Responsibilities
- Define target-state architecture for FIS IST across ATM, POS, and digital payment channels
- Establish high availability, active-active, and disaster recovery designs
- Lead architecture blueprints covering transaction routing, authorization, clearing, and settlement flows
- Drive alignment with enterprise architecture standards (cloud, API, microservices)
- Architect and lead migration from legacy switches (e.g., Connex, BASE24, Postilion) to IST
- Define coexistence strategies, data migration approaches, and phased cutover models
- Identify optimization opportunities to reduce latency, increase throughput, and improve resilience
- Design integration patterns with Core banking and authorization systems, Card schemes (Visa, Mastercard, domestic networks), Fraud, AML, and risk systems
- Enable transition from ISO 8583 to API/REST-based architectures
Required Skills & Experience
- 10+ years in payment switching with deep expertise in FIS IST platform
- Proven experience in enterprise-scale switch architecture and transformation programs
- Strong command over ISO 8583, transaction lifecycle, and routing logic
Expertise in:
- Distributed systems and microservices architecture
- API-first and event-driven designs
- Hybrid/cloud infrastructure models
- Strong understanding of HSMs, cryptography, and secure transaction processing
- Domain Expertise on Card payment ecosystems (ATM, POS, e-commerce), Scheme connectivity and certification processes, ATM operations, reconciliation, dispute management