Architecture – Architect - Product Designer at AIG

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Architecture – Architect - Product Designer Company: AIG Location: Sumida-ku, Tokyo, Japan Job Type: FULL_TIME Category: IT - Information Technology / Product Design & Architecture Date Posted: 2025-07-29T00:00:00 Experience Level: 10+ years Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

Leads the architecture design for AIG's Product Designer platform, a critical component of their next-generation policy administration system, focusing on scalability, performance, and security.
Drives the end-to-end technical solutions for configuring insurance products, including product modeling, validation rules, underwriting guidelines, and rating structures.
Provides technical leadership and mentorship to development teams throughout the software development lifecycle, ensuring adherence to best practices and standards.
Collaborates extensively with business partners, business analysts, developers, and subject matter experts to align business needs with technical implementation, fostering agility and innovation.
Utilizes expertise in web application development, architecture, and strategic thinking to ensure the efficiency, accuracy, and robustness of insurance product design.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a senior architect with a strong focus on product design within the insurance technology domain. The emphasis on a "next-generation policy administration system" and "Product Designer" platform indicates a strategic initiative to modernize core insurance systems, requiring a candidate with both deep technical architecture skills and a solid understanding of insurance product lifecycles. The requirement for Japanese language proficiency (N3 & above) or English business fluency suggests a need for strong communication and stakeholder management in a multinational context.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

Lead the end-to-end architecture design of the Product Designer platform, a key element of AIG's next-generation policy administration system, ensuring scalability, performance, and security.
Define and architect the underlying structures for product modeling, validation rules, underwriting guidelines, and rating structures within the Product Designer.
Collaborate closely with stakeholders, business analysts, and development teams to meticulously gather requirements and translate them into robust and efficient technical solutions.
Provide strong technical leadership and mentorship to development teams throughout the software development lifecycle, guiding them on architectural decisions and best practices.
Drive critical architectural decisions, including the selection of appropriate technologies, defining integration strategies, and establishing effective design patterns for the Product Designer platform.
Oversee the implementation of software development best practices and standards, ensuring high-quality code, maintainability, and adherence to enterprise architecture principles.
Conduct in-depth system analysis and performance optimization to enhance the overall efficiency, reliability, and responsiveness of the policy administration system.
Actively participate in architecture reviews, code reviews, and solution discussions with cross-functional teams to ensure architectural integrity and alignment.
Stay abreast of the latest industry trends and emerging technologies in insurance technology and software architecture, proactively applying them to create innovative and competitive solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a strategic role in modernizing core insurance systems. The architect will be responsible not just for technical design but also for guiding the implementation of complex insurance product configurations, requiring a blend of technical acumen and domain expertise. The emphasis on "next-generation" systems implies a need for forward-thinking architectural approaches that can support future business needs and technological advancements.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a closely related technical field.

Experience:

Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in software development and architecture.
Proven experience in consulting or leading transformative IT projects at an expert level.
Comprehensive knowledge of the Property & Casualty (P&C) insurance domain, particularly within the Claims lifecycle, is highly desirable.
Experience with Tier 1 insurance carrier transformation projects is considered a strong asset.

Required Skills:

Solution Architecture: Proven experience as a Solution Architect, with a strong track record in designing and implementing complex, scalable, and secure client-server systems.
Web Application Development: Strong expertise in modern web application development frameworks, specifically Angular for frontend development and Node.js for backend development.
Database Proficiency: Experience with NoSQL databases, particularly MongoDB, and a solid understanding of database design principles for scalable applications.
Problem-Solving: Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to effectively translate intricate business requirements into pragmatic and efficient technical solutions.
Technical Leadership: Demonstrated ability to provide technical leadership, guide development teams, and mentor junior engineers.
System Analysis & Optimization: Proficient in conducting system analysis and implementing performance optimization strategies to enhance system efficiency and reliability.
Collaboration & Communication: Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to foster productive collaboration across diverse departments and build effective relationships internally and externally.
Insurance Domain Knowledge: Comprehensive understanding of P&C insurance products, processes, and the policy administration lifecycle.

Preferred Skills:

Agility & Innovation: Experience in driving agility and innovation within software development processes and system design.
Strategic Thinking: Ability to think strategically and align technical solutions with long-term business objectives.
Leadership & Mentorship: Energetic leadership with a positive attitude, strong team-building capabilities, and a passion for coaching and developing talent.
Japanese Language Proficiency: Japanese language skills at N3 level or above, or demonstrated English business fluency, to facilitate effective communication with local and international stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: The combination of technical skills (Angular, Node.js, MongoDB) with deep P&C insurance knowledge and consulting experience suggests a need for a well-rounded architect who can bridge the gap between business strategy and technical execution in a complex industry. The emphasis on leadership and collaboration is crucial for driving a significant system modernization effort.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

Showcase end-to-end architectural designs for complex software systems, ideally within the financial services or insurance sectors.
Demonstrate a strong understanding of system scalability, performance tuning, and security best practices through concrete examples.
Provide case studies detailing the design and implementation of new product features or system enhancements, highlighting the architect's role.
Illustrate experience with the full software development lifecycle, from requirements gathering and architectural design to development oversight and deployment.
Include examples of how you've translated business requirements into functional and technical specifications.

Process Documentation:

Examples of architectural blueprints, system diagrams, and data models created for previous projects.
Documentation outlining the decision-making process for technology selection, design patterns, and integration strategies.
Evidence of process improvement initiatives led or contributed to, focusing on efficiency gains, cost reduction, or quality enhancement.
Documentation related to performance testing, analysis, and optimization strategies implemented.

📝 Enhancement Note: A strong portfolio is essential for this role to visually represent the candidate's architectural capabilities and strategic thinking. The focus should be on demonstrating experience with complex, scalable systems, particularly those with insurance product configuration elements or similar intricate business logic. Documented evidence of leading or significantly contributing to system modernization efforts would be highly advantageous.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Given the 10+ years of experience, senior architect role, specialized skills (Angular, Node.js, MongoDB), and location in Tokyo, Japan, a competitive salary range can be estimated. Based on industry benchmarks for senior software architects and IT leaders in major Japanese cities, and considering the global nature of AIG, the annual salary is likely to fall within the range of ¥12,000,000 to ¥18,000,000 JPY. This estimate takes into account the seniority, technical expertise required, and the cost of living in Tokyo.

Benefits:

Total Rewards Program: A comprehensive benefits package designed to support employee health, well-being, and financial security.
Health & Wellness: Benefits focusing on physical and mental well-being, potentially including health insurance, wellness programs, and support services.
Financial Security: Provisions for long-term financial planning, which may include retirement savings plans, life insurance, and other financial protection benefits.
Professional Development: Investment in continuous learning and development, offering opportunities for skill enhancement, training, and career advancement.
Paid Time Off: Competitive leave policies to support work-life balance.
Global Opportunities: Potential access to international roles and experiences within the AIG network.

Working Hours:

The role specifies a standard full-time commitment, likely around 40 hours per week, aligning with typical professional work schedules in Japan. While primarily on-site, AIG values in-person collaboration, suggesting a structured work week.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimate based on typical compensation for senior IT architects in Tokyo, Japan, with significant experience and specialized technical skills. The benefits package is described as comprehensive, focusing on holistic employee support, which is standard for large multinational corporations like AIG.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Insurance (Property & Casualty) Company Size: AIG is a global leader in insurance, employing a significant number of people worldwide, indicating a large, established enterprise with extensive resources and a broad market reach. Founded: American International Group, Inc. (AIG) was founded in 1919. This long history signifies stability, deep industry experience, and a proven ability to adapt to market changes over a century.

Team Structure:

Operations Team: This role is within the IT - Information Technology functional area, likely part of a larger core systems or digital transformation team responsible for the policy administration platform.
Reporting Structure: The architect will report to a senior IT leader, potentially a Director or VP of Engineering/Architecture, and will provide technical leadership to development teams.
Cross-functional Collaboration: The role requires close collaboration with Business Partners, Business Analysts, SI Implementation Partners, and potentially other IT departments to ensure seamless integration and alignment of the Product Designer platform with broader business objectives.

Methodology:

Data-Driven Decisions: AIG emphasizes leveraging data to inform decisions and drive innovation, a critical aspect for an architect designing complex systems.
Agile & Iterative Development: The description implies an agile approach to software development, focusing on swift configuration and market competitiveness, which requires iterative design and implementation processes.
Best Practices & Standards: The role involves upholding and implementing best practices and standards for software development, ensuring quality and maintainability.

Company Website: https://www.aig.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: AIG's long history and global presence suggest a structured, professional environment with established processes. The IT function is likely to be well-resourced, supporting significant digital transformation initiatives. The emphasis on innovation and agility within a traditional industry like insurance indicates a forward-thinking approach to technology adoption.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a senior-level architectural role, requiring extensive experience and technical expertise. It represents a key position in driving the technical strategy and execution for core insurance systems. Reporting Structure: The Architect will likely report to a senior IT management position (e.g., Head of Architecture, CTO, or VP of Engineering) and will be responsible for guiding and mentoring development teams. This position offers opportunities to influence technical direction and strategy. Operations Impact: The architect's work directly impacts the company's ability to rapidly configure and launch new insurance products, which is crucial for market competitiveness and revenue generation. The efficiency and robustness of the Product Designer platform will significantly influence operational agility and customer satisfaction.

Growth Opportunities:

Technical Specialization: Deepen expertise in insurance technology architecture, modern web frameworks, and scalable systems.
Leadership Development: Transition into leadership roles such as Chief Architect, Head of Engineering, or manage larger teams and more complex projects.
Strategic Influence: Contribute to the broader IT strategy and digital transformation roadmap of AIG, influencing technology investments and architectural standards.
Cross-functional Exposure: Gain exposure to various business units and IT functions within AIG, broadening understanding of the insurance enterprise.
Global Mobility: Potential opportunities to work on international projects or relocate within AIG's global network.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a clear path for career advancement within a large, global organization. The focus on a critical modernization project provides significant visibility and impact, which can accelerate career progression. Opportunities for both deep technical growth and leadership development are available.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The company emphasizes in-person collaboration, indicating a traditional office environment where team members are expected to be present for most of their working hours. Office Location(s): The primary location is Sumida-ku, Tokyo, Japan. This specific location within Tokyo suggests a modern business district setting. Workspace Context:

Collaborative Environment: The emphasis on in-person work suggests a workspace designed to foster collaboration, teamwork, and spontaneous idea exchange among colleagues.
Technology & Tools: As a leading financial services firm, AIG likely provides access to modern IT infrastructure, development tools, and collaboration platforms necessary for high-performance work.
Team Interaction: Opportunities to interact closely with a diverse group of professionals, including business analysts, developers, project managers, and business stakeholders, facilitating knowledge sharing and effective problem-solving.

Work Schedule:

Standard business hours are expected, with a strong emphasis on on-site presence to facilitate collaboration. Flexibility may exist within the standard work week, but the core expectation is regular office attendance.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site work requirement is a key differentiator, signaling a preference for traditional, in-person team dynamics. Candidates should be comfortable working from a physical office location in Tokyo and value face-to-face collaboration.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

Initial Screening: HR or recruiter call to assess basic qualifications, experience, and cultural fit.
Technical Interview(s): Series of interviews with hiring managers, architects, and senior developers to evaluate technical depth, architectural design skills, problem-solving abilities, and understanding of relevant technologies (Angular, Node.js, MongoDB, insurance systems).
Case Study/Presentation: Candidates may be asked to present a portfolio of past work or tackle a hypothetical architectural challenge related to product configuration or system design.
Behavioral & Cultural Fit: Interviews focusing on leadership, collaboration, communication, and alignment with AIG's values and culture.
Final Round: Discussion with senior leadership to assess strategic thinking and overall fit for the role and organization.

Portfolio Review Tips:

Structure: Organize your portfolio logically, perhaps by project type or technology. For each project, clearly outline the problem, your role, the solution designed, the technologies used, and the outcomes or impact.
Focus on Impact: Quantify achievements whenever possible (e.g., "improved system performance by X%", "reduced product configuration time by Y%").
Highlight Key Skills: Ensure your portfolio prominently features examples of your work with Angular, Node.js, MongoDB, and complex system architecture, especially within the insurance domain.
Demonstrate Process: Show your thought process behind architectural decisions, including trade-offs considered and rationale for technology choices.
Prepare to Discuss: Be ready to walk through your portfolio items in detail, answering questions about design choices, challenges faced, and lessons learned.

Challenge Preparation:

System Design: Practice designing scalable, high-performance systems for complex business logic, such as insurance product configuration. Consider aspects like data modeling, API design, and user interface architecture.
Technical Deep Dive: Refresh your knowledge on Angular, Node.js, and MongoDB, including best practices, common pitfalls, and advanced features.
Insurance Concepts: Review core P&C insurance concepts, particularly related to policy administration, product modeling, and underwriting rules.
Behavioral Questions: Prepare examples using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to demonstrate leadership, problem-solving, collaboration, and handling ambiguity.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will likely be rigorous, evaluating both technical proficiency and strategic thinking. A well-prepared portfolio that clearly articulates architectural accomplishments and demonstrates a deep understanding of the required technologies and the insurance domain will be critical for success.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

Frontend Framework: Angular (strong expertise required for the Product Designer platform).
Backend Runtime: Node.js (essential for backend services and APIs).
Database: MongoDB (or other NoSQL databases) for flexible data storage and retrieval.
Cloud Platform: Likely utilizes cloud services (e.g., AWS, Azure, GCP) for scalability and deployment, though specific services are not detailed.
API Development: RESTful APIs for communication between frontend, backend, and other systems.

Analytics & Reporting:

System Monitoring Tools: For tracking performance, identifying bottlenecks, and ensuring system health.
Data Visualization Tools: Potentially used to present system performance metrics and insights to stakeholders.

CRM & Automation:

Integration Tools: For connecting the Product Designer platform with other core insurance systems (e.g., policy administration, claims, billing).
Workflow Automation: Tools or patterns to automate product configuration and validation processes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core technology stack emphasizes modern JavaScript-based technologies (Angular, Node.js) and NoSQL databases, which are common in building flexible and scalable web applications. Familiarity with cloud environments and integration patterns is also highly relevant.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

Innovation: Encouraging new ideas and approaches to tackle complex challenges in insurance product design.
Collaboration: Fostering a team environment where open communication and mutual support are paramount for achieving shared goals.
Excellence: Striving for high-quality solutions, robust architecture, and efficient processes in all aspects of work.
Customer Focus: Understanding and prioritizing the needs of business users and ultimately, the end customers, in system design and implementation.
Growth Mindset: Promoting continuous learning, skill development, and adaptability to new technologies and challenges.

Collaboration Style:

Cross-functional Integration: The architect will work closely with business stakeholders and IT teams, requiring strong communication and negotiation skills to ensure alignment and buy-in.
Proactive Communication: Encouraging open dialogue, sharing opinions constructively, and representing diverse viewpoints effectively.
Mentorship and Knowledge Sharing: Actively contributing to the growth of the development team through guidance, code reviews, and sharing best practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: AIG's culture appears to value both innovation and strong collaborative practices. The emphasis on a "growth mindset" and proactive communication suggests an environment that encourages professional development and open feedback.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

System Modernization Complexity: Architecting and overseeing the implementation of a new, complex policy administration system requires navigating intricate business logic and ensuring seamless integration with existing enterprise systems.
Balancing Innovation and Stability: Introducing new technologies and architectural patterns while maintaining the stability and reliability of critical insurance operations.
Stakeholder Alignment: Effectively managing expectations and aligning diverse stakeholders (business, IT, external partners) on technical vision and implementation strategies.
Global Standards vs. Local Needs: Adapting global architectural standards to meet specific market requirements in Japan, potentially involving language and cultural nuances.
Pace of Change: Keeping pace with evolving insurance industry trends and technological advancements to ensure the platform remains competitive.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

Advanced Architecture Techniques: Gaining deeper expertise in microservices, cloud-native architectures, and domain-driven design within the insurance context.
Leadership Skills: Developing strategic leadership capabilities, project management, and team management skills.
Insurance Domain Mastery: Deepening understanding of the insurance product lifecycle, regulatory landscape, and market dynamics.
Cross-cultural Competency: Enhancing skills in working effectively in a global, multicultural environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a significant opportunity to shape a critical business system and gain deep expertise in insurance technology. The challenges are substantial but provide excellent avenues for professional growth and skill development.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

"Describe a time you led the architectural design of a complex, mission-critical software system. What were the key challenges, and how did you overcome them?" (Focus on structure, scalability, security, and your decision-making process).
"How would you approach designing a flexible product modeling engine for insurance products that can accommodate diverse configurations and rules?" (Highlight your understanding of domain-driven design, data modeling, and rule engines).
"Imagine a scenario where business requirements conflict with architectural best practices. How would you handle this situation and ensure the best outcome for the project?" (Demonstrate your ability to balance business needs with technical integrity and communicate effectively).
"What are your strategies for ensuring high code quality and maintainability within a development team?" (Discuss code reviews, testing strategies, documentation, and CI/CD practices).

Company & Culture Questions:

"What attracts you to AIG and this specific role as an Architect for Product Designer?" (Research AIG's mission, values, and recent initiatives in digital transformation).
"How do you foster collaboration and ensure effective communication with both technical and non-technical stakeholders?" (Provide examples of your communication and relationship-building skills).
"Describe your approach to mentoring and developing junior engineers." (Showcase your leadership and team-building capabilities).
"How do you stay current with emerging technologies and industry trends, and how do you apply that knowledge?" (Highlight your commitment to continuous learning and innovation).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

Narrative Flow: Structure your presentation with a clear beginning (problem), middle (solution and your role), and end (results/impact).
Visual Aids: Use diagrams, architecture charts, and mockups to clearly illustrate your designs and technical concepts.
Key Metrics: Quantify the impact of your work whenever possible (e.g., performance improvements, efficiency gains, cost savings).
Conciseness: Be prepared to present your most relevant projects efficiently, focusing on the aspects that align with the job requirements.
Engagement: Be ready to answer detailed questions about your designs, trade-offs, and decision-making processes.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on demonstrating not only technical expertise but also strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills, backed by concrete examples from your portfolio. Understanding AIG's business and culture will be crucial for answering behavioral and motivational questions.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Architecture – Architect - Product Designer position at AIG:

Submit your application: Follow the link provided and complete the online application form with accurate and up-to-date information.
Tailor your Resume/CV: Ensure your resume highlights your 10+ years of experience in software development and architecture, specifically mentioning your expertise in Angular, Node.js, MongoDB, and your P&C insurance domain knowledge. Use keywords from the job description and quantify your achievements.
Prepare Your Portfolio: Curate a selection of your most relevant architectural projects. Focus on complex systems, your role in design and implementation, and the impact of your work. Be ready to present and discuss these in detail during interviews.
Research AIG: Familiarize yourself with AIG's business, its position in the insurance industry, and its commitment to digital transformation and innovation. Understand their values and culture.
Practice Interview Responses: Prepare for technical, behavioral, and situational questions. Practice articulating your thought process for architectural challenges and presenting your portfolio effectively.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.

Architecture – Architect - Product Designer