AVP, Network Architect (JRI-6694)

The Japan Research Institute (JRI) Limited is a subsidiary of Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) Group. SMBC Group is a Tokyo-based bank holding company that is ranked among the largest 25 banks globally by assets under management. JRI provides comprehensive, highly value-added information services through the coordinated application of its 3 functions. i.e. information systems, consulting and think-tank. As a system integrator, JRI offers services in IT strategy planning, implementation and outsourcing to a broad range of industries and activities. JRI Singapore currently supports the overall IT functions of Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) in Asia Pacific Region.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate and recommend emerging network technologies, conducting PoCs and technical assessments to determine suitability for enterprise banking environments, focusing on scalability, resilience, and regulatory compliance.
• Subject Matter Expert (SME) for network architecture, responsible for end‑to‑end solution design, planning, deployment, and validation across mission‑critical environments.
• Designing, implementing, and supporting network security solutions involving, but not limited to, LAN/SD-WAN/SASE/Firewalls/Load balancers, Network Automation and Observability for Datacenter and Branches in APAC region.
• Extensive expertise in advanced data center technologies, including spine‑leaf architectures, VXLAN/EVPN fabrics, multi‑site interconnects, and highly available, redundant network designs that support disaster recovery.
• Strong expertise in routing, switching, and transport technologies, including advanced protocols (BGP, OSPF, IS‑IS, MPLS, Segment Routing), network virtualization and multi‑tenancy (VRFs), traffic engineering with QoS, and Zero‑Trust network segmentation across macro and micro layers.
• Prepare and maintain technical design documents, low-level designs (LLD), high-level designs (HLD), standards, architecture principles, and operational runbooks.
• Conduct enterprise network architecture reviews, risk assessments, and performance audits, providing recommendations for remediation, optimization, and compliance with enterprise security and governance policies.
• Prepare and present technical documentation. Ensure that the technical settings comply with company policy and regulatory requirements and work with stakeholders to align infrastructure direction.
• Support major incidents or changes when there is escalation from operation team, working with the related stakeholders and taking corrective/preventive actions. 
• Collaborate with other domain teams e.g.: servers, middleware, end user computing, Project management, security, application teams etc. in design, implement and troubleshooting matters when needed. 
• Work with respective countries team members on the review of network architecture and design, troubleshooting, as well as to work on network and security infrastructure domain. 
• Plan, communicate and coordinate with external vendors to ensure systems and applications are delivered in accordance with SLA. 
• Work with APAC countries team members on the review of network architecture and design, troubleshooting, as well as to work on network and security infrastructure domain.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, Information Technology, or closely related qualifications
• Min. 7 years of working experience in network design, implementation and managing large network security platforms.
• Min. 3 years of working experience related to SASE, Cisco SDWAN, Network Automation and Observability. Design and implementation in large scale.
• In-depth technical experience and proficiency in deploying network system(s) implementation for large enterprise, data center environments.
• Hands-on experience in implementation and setup of high-availability, multi-layer datacenter networks.
• Proficient with Cisco Systems, F5, Checkpoint, Fortinet, Palo Alto. 
• Network Automation and Observability solutions for multivendor scenarios.
• Technical Leadership to drive end to end technical delivery.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, capable of presenting to engineering and Management/Leadership teams.
• Industrial professional certification such as CCIE (Enterprise/Security/Devnet), CCDE, CCNP is preferred.
• Prior working experience as an IT professional in banking or financial institution is an advantage.
• Knowledge and experience in IT Service Management (ITSM) would be valuable. 
• Understanding of regulatory guidelines e.g.: MAS, RBI, BOT etc.