IST Switch Senior Developer (Cards)

About Commercial Bank of Qatar

Commercial Bank was established in 1975 and is based in Doha. The bank contributes to Qatar’s economic growth through a broad portfolio of personal, business, government, international, and investment services. It promotes employee growth through learning and professional development, while encouraging innovation, work-life balance, and high performance.

This is an opportunity to join a team that is helping shape the future of banking in Qatar.

Role Summary

The IST/Switch Card Technology Developer is a key member of the Cards team and its subject matter experts. The role combines hands-on development with business-facing analysis, requiring close collaboration with internal stakeholders to translate card technology needs into technical requirements. It also includes vendor SLA monitoring for issue handling, ensuring alignment with payment scheme rules, domestic switch requirements, and internal audit standards, as well as improving MAR compliance against regulator and payment scheme mandates. The position supports new functionality, integrations with other banks’ systems, and ongoing analysis of opportunities to improve and optimize the card platform.

Core Responsibilities

• Partner with the Cards team to develop and support the technical services landscape.
• Build and enhance solutions within the cards domain, with a primary focus on IST Switch.
• Deliver project implementations and compliance-related deliverables.
• Follow corporate standards, controls, and approved working practices.
• Investigate major incidents, support issue resolution, and produce detailed root-cause analysis reports.
• Review current card system architecture and recommend redesigns to match evolving payment trends and business needs.
• Assess vendor-proposed solutions against project scope and business requirements.
• Co-design card solutions with vendors, including PDP/SOW activities.
• Plan and execute data migrations while protecting data accuracy, consistency, and performance.
• Implement new acquiring and issuing technologies for the cards environment.

Technical Competencies

ATM

• Hands-on experience with ATM state programming in the IST compiler.
• Ability to modify existing code to support new transaction flows.
• Capability to introduce new services based on business needs.
• Solid understanding of NDC and DDC protocols.

IST / Switch

• Strong knowledge of IST/Switch architecture.
• Experience integrating site-specific message protocols with IST code modules.
• Background in ATM/POS acquiring environments.
• Ability to diagnose issues using log warnings and error messages.
• Capability to resolve incidents using ATM/POS utilities.
• Good command of IST/Switch parameter configuration.
• Understanding of data consistency and purging processes.
• Knowledge of tokenization setup and configuration.
• Strong awareness of ATM/POS configuration and downstream impact.
• Understanding of transaction routing across different issuers.
• Experience with IST SDK API handling.
• Ability to develop new in-house interfaces across IST/Switch platforms.

Keys / Simulators

• Proficient in Visa, MasterCard, FIME, and ATM test simulators, including end-to-end test execution.
• Sound understanding of encryption key approaches and algorithms.
• Strong knowledge of HSM configuration and command usage.
• Deep understanding of EMV data elements and the processes involved in personalization and authorization.
• Experience implementing encryption keys on hosts, POS terminals, and payment schemes such as Visa, MasterCard, and Diners.

Preferred Experience

• Exposure to launching new payment schemes.
• Experience leading or supporting migrations to or from IST/Switch, including migration design and development.
• Ability to validate and repair system data integrity.
• Qatar national switch issuing/acquiring certification is an advantage.
• Global payment scheme issuing and acquiring certifications are an advantage.
• Knowledge of chip card personalization and payment scheme requirements.
• Experience handling card finance disputes investigations.
• Implementation experience with PCI-DSS.
• Capability to plan and manage system migrations with minimal BAU disruption.
• Working knowledge of card domain accounting, reconciliation, and settlement.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team, with a detail-oriented mindset.
• Strong analytical ability and clear verbal and written communication.
• Understanding of software development lifecycles and support documentation.

Qualifications and Experience

• At least 7 years of IST Switch development experience.
• At least 5 years of experience in ATM/POS switch environments.
• At least 5 years of experience in credit and debit card systems.
• Strong knowledge of payment scheme regulations and transaction processing standards for cards issuance.
• Experience with host and terminal certification.
• Understanding of tokenization implementation and related technology.

Why Commercial Bank

• Recognized as the Best Performing Bank in Qatar in The Banker’s Top 1000 World Banks Rankings 2025.
• Awarded Best Digital Bank in the Middle East 2024 by World Finance and Best Mobile Banking App in the Middle East 2024 by Global Finance.
• Offers a digital-first, innovation-led workplace with modern tools and technologies.
• Provides access to international exposure and global partnership opportunities.
• Supports employee well-being and work-life balance.
• Provides competitive compensation and benefits.
• Committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Disclaimer

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for the next stage of hiring. The employer may change, withdraw, or close this vacancy at any time without prior notice.