Principal Lead API and AI Enterprise Integration Services

About the role

First Abu Dhabi Bank is seeking a senior technology leader to define and drive the strategic vision for API, AI and domain services across its enterprise. The Principal Lead will transform legacy banking systems into modular, discoverable APIs that enable digital transformation and support multiple business value streams.

Key responsibilities

• Define and evolve the enterprise API, AI and domain services strategy.
• Lead engineering teams to build robust, secure, and scalable platform services.
• Promote API reuse, developer enablement and adoption of emerging technologies such as Generative AI agents.
• Collaborate with product owners, architects, security, infrastructure and operations to ensure alignment with business outcomes.
• Maintain delivery roadmaps, capacity plans and resource forecasts.
• Ensure compliance with IT governance, risk and regulatory requirements.
• Track and report KPIs, audit and risk metrics.
• Foster a culture of innovation, agility and continuous learning.

Required profile

• 15+ years of overall IT experience, including 10+ years in banking.
• Proven track record implementing API‑first approaches and domain‑driven design.
• Strong leadership experience building and mentoring high‑performing engineering teams.
• Deep understanding of platform modernization, scalability and performance.
• Experience delivering secure, compliant solutions in regulated environments.

Required skills

• API development and management
• Artificial Intelligence and Generative AI (GenAI) concepts
• CI/CD pipelines
• DevSecOps practices
• Test automation frameworks