Senior Application Architect

Job Title: Senior Application Architect (iOS & Android)

Location: Bangalore, Hybrid

Looking - Extensive experience with real-time communication protocols and messaging platforms and the telecom and communications industry.

Why should you choose us

Rakuten Symphony is a Rakuten Group company, that provides global B2B services for the mobile telco industry and enables next-generation, cloud-based, international mobile services. Building on the technology Rakuten used to launch Japan's newest mobile network, we are taking our mobile offering global. To support our ambitions to provide an innovative cloud-native telco platform for our customers, Rakuten Symphony is looking to recruit and develop top talent from around the globe. We are looking for individuals to join our team across all functional areas of our business from sales to engineering, support functions to product development. Let's build the future of mobile telecommunications together!

What Do We Expect From You

We are seeking a highly skilled Solution Architect to lead and drive the technical vision for our rapidly evolving Super-App, serving both Android and iOS platforms. This role will be critical in expanding existing functionalities and integrating new services seamlessly into our robust mobile ecosystem. Expertise in the telecom industry is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead the architectural design and evolution of our Super-App, ensuring scalability, performance, security, agility and maintainability across Android and iOS.
• Translate business requirements into robust technical solutions, collaborating with product, engineering, and business stakeholders to define architectural blueprints and enforce mobile development standards.
• Evaluate, recommend, and integrate new technologies, frameworks, and tools to enhance the Super-App's capabilities and user experience, specifically addressing the needs of Japan's user base and aligning with its telecom and communication tool functionality.
• Oversee the seamless integration of new services and features into the existing Super-App, providing technical guidance and mentoring development teams.
• Proactively identify and mitigate technical risks, drive innovation by exploring emerging mobile technologies, and ensure architectural decisions support future growth.
• Document comprehensive architectural decisions, technical specifications, and system designs to ensure a consistent and high-quality user experience.

Qualifications

Bachelor's/Master's degree or a PhD in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related technical field or equivalent experience

15+ years of experience in software development, with at least 5 years in a dedicated Lead Solution Architect role

Proven track record of architecting and delivering large-scale, complex mobile applications for both Android and iOS.

Deep understanding of mobile application architecture patterns (e.g., MVC, MVP, MVVM, MVI, Clean Architecture) and best practices.

Extensive experience with mobile development frameworks and industry standard languages (e.g., Kotlin/Java for Android, Swift/Objective-C for iOS, Flutter/React Native, Angular JS, TypeScript etc.)

Strong knowledge of API design (RESTful, GraphQL), microservices architecture, and cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP).

Experience leading integration of AI/ML based features in mobile applications, integration and development of mini-apps and user-centered flow of functions.

Experience with performance optimization, security best practices, and scalability considerations for mobile applications including deep understanding of related KPI's such as CTR, Impressions, ROI, ARPU etc.

Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills to effectively articulate complex technical concepts to diverse audiences and business stakeholders.

Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, agile environment in an ecosystem of numerous teams.

Nice-to-Have Skills (Bonus Points):

Extensive experience with real-time communication protocols and messaging platforms and the telecom and communications industry.

Familiarity with the Rakuten ecosystem, including integration patterns with Rakuten services (e.g., Rakuten Pay, Rakuten Points, Rakuten Ichiba).

Understanding of Japanese market-specific mobile app trends, user behaviors, and regulatory compliance for communication services.

Rakuten Shugi Principles:

• Our worldwide practices describe specific behaviours that make Rakuten unique and united across the world. We expect Rakuten employees to model these 5 Shugi Principles of Success.
• Always improve, always advance. Only be satisfied with complete success - Kaizen.
• Be passionately professional. Take an uncompromising approach to your work and be determined to be the best.
• Hypothesize - Practice - Validate - Shikumika. Use the Rakuten Cycle to success in unknown territory.
• Maximize Customer Satisfaction. The greatest satisfaction for workers in a service industry is to see their customers smile.
• Speed!! Speed!! Speed!! Always be conscious of time. Take charge, set clear goals, and engage your team.