David Ziai - Principal Enterprise Architect

Q: Where is David based?

David is based in Portimão, Spain .

Q: What languages does David speak?

David speaks the following languages: English (Native), Swedish (Native), Danish (Advanced), Norwegian (Advanced), Portuguese (Intermediate) .

Q: How many years of experience does David have?

David has at least 32 years of experience. During this time, David has worked in at least 13 different roles and for 15 different companies . The average length of individual experience is 2 years and 11 months . Note that David may not have shared all experience and actually has more experience.

Q: What is David's latest experience?

David's most recent position is CIO at Opsin Finance .

Q: What companies has David worked for in recent years?

In recent years, David has worked for Opsin Finance , BioNTech , ATPCO , and SkyTeam Alliances .

Q: Which industries is David most experienced in?

David is most experienced in industries like Aerospace and Defense , Information Technology (IT) , and Professional Services . David also has some experience in Telecommunication , Banking and Finance , and Biotechnology .

Q: Which business areas is David most experienced in?

David is most experienced in business areas like Information Technology (IT) , Product Development , and Strategy and Planning . David also has some experience in Project Management , Operations , and Sales .

Q: Which industries has David worked in recently?

David has recently worked in industries like Aerospace and Defense , Biotechnology , and Pharmaceutical .

Q: Which business areas has David worked in recently?

David has recently worked in business areas like Information Technology (IT) , Product Development , and Strategy and Planning .

Recommended expert

Portimão, Spain

Experience

Jan 2024 - Dec 2024

1 year

Italy

CIO

Opsin Finance

Spearheaded the formation of the development team
Recruited key roles including developers, DevOps engineers, project managers, and product owners
Established processes and organisational structure across a geographically dispersed team
Ensured efficient collaboration and delivery
Led decision-making on architectural design and strategy, created infrastructure, and managed relationships with external vendors

Jun 2022 - May 2024

2 years

Germany

Head of architecture practice for the Digital Transformation program

BioNTech

Directed the enterprise architecture for a digital transformation program, ensuring alignment between business strategy and technology execution
Defined and governed the long-term architecture roadmap, balancing immediate business needs with a five-year strategic vision
Spearheaded the design and delivery of a next-generation sales and marketing ecosystem, enabling scalable growth and improved customer engagement
Drove collaboration with leading vendors, including Salesforce, Adobe, and IQVIA, to integrate best-in-class solutions into a cohesive platform

Dec 2021 - Jan 2024

2 years 2 months

United States

Principal Strategy consultant/SME

ATPCO

Played a key role in shaping new standards for dynamic pricing and offer management in the airline sector
Designed and implemented a forward-thinking pricing and dynamic offer strategy
Evaluated the impact of the new strategy on existing ecosystems, including revenue management systems, pricing distribution channels, and industry regulations
Provided expert insights into Passenger Service Systems (PSS), revenue management systems, distribution frameworks, and NDC (New Distribution Capability)
Delivered comprehensive architectural overviews of the airline’s PSS and its interconnected ecosystems

May 2019 - May 2021

2 years 1 month

Netherlands

Director of Architecture and Development

SkyTeam Alliances

Led the creation of a platform with a budget exceeding €30 million to facilitate integration across the SkyTeam alliance
Translated the SkyTeam vision into a transformative program, resulting in the SkyTeam Spine platform
Collaborated with leadership to define the platform's vision and technology roadmap
Oversaw the transition to a modern microservices architecture
Implemented Docker, CI/CD pipelines with Jenkins, and Kibana
Managed full-stack NDC (New Distribution Capability) implementation
Developed a technical and implementation roadmap for all alliance members
Engaged and supported stakeholders across SkyTeam
Managed an onshore and offshore team of 48 professionals across five Scrum teams
Implemented a fully cloud-native solution on AWS

Jun 2018 - Aug 2019

1 year 3 months

United Kingdom

Enterprise domain Architect

Virgin Atlantic Ltd

Designed and implemented a SaaS-based availability calculator to offload 90% of GDS availability requests from the TPF system by reverse-engineering the PROS RTDP application
Processed 160 million transactions daily with an average response time of 40 ms
Reduced PSS hardware costs by €5 million annually
Gathered business requirements and delivered cost-effective solutions tailored to meet objectives
Managed the architecture and end-to-end solution delivery
Led an offshore development team, ensuring the project was completed on time and within budget

Mar 2017 - May 2018

1 year 3 months

United Kingdom

Enterprise domain Architect

Virgin Atlantic Ltd

Led the development and deployment of a new pricing and revenue management strategy centred on Branded Fares, directly enhancing revenue streams
Managed the project end-to-end, integrating revenue management systems, revenue accounting, airport operations, and seat inventory management
Developed innovative stock management and floating classes models within RTDP to optimise pricing
Collaborated with strategic partners like Delta, PROS, ITA, and Farelogix to ensure alignment and seamless integration
Oversaw the integration of internal systems and external sales channels, maximising market reach

Jan 2015 - Mar 2017

2 years 3 months

United Kingdom

Enterprise domain Architect

Virgin Atlantic Ltd

Led the architecture and implementation of a new Passenger Service System (PSS) across revenue management, revenue accounting, revenue integrity, and payment systems
Ensured PCI DSS compliance across all payment systems
Managed seamless integration of the new PSS with existing systems and Payment Service Providers (PSPs) globally
Architected the Google Availability Calculator for ITA, optimising operations with the new PSS framework
Implemented core functionalities for revenue integrity, group booking, and revenue accounting

Jan 2013 - Dec 2014

2 years

Sweden

Senior Management Consultant

Snowfall Airline Solutions

Supported management in identifying and exploring new business opportunities beyond Sweden, expanding market presence
Engaged with industry stakeholders including IATA, Airlines of America (AOA), and Panasonic Avionics to foster partnerships
Gathered requirements and delivered agile solutions tailored to customer needs
Managed a diverse portfolio of services, products, and offerings to drive revenue growth
Served as a key speaker at the IATA conference in Orlando
Designed B2B platforms and payment solutions for the airline and airport industries

May 2009 - Jan 2013

3 years 9 months

Sweden

Senior Enterprise Architect

Scandinavian Airlines

Delivered comprehensive strategies, analyses, and solution designs to the CIO, aligning IT initiatives with business objectives
Led initiatives to establish SAS’s approach to cloud computing, loyalty programs, cargo operations, and sales and distribution
Spearheaded the transition of 80% of the IT environment to IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS
Headed architecture and strategy for the PCI DSS compliance program
Contributed to innovative solutions including mobile check-in, NFC solutions, new luggage concept, and onboard internet connectivity
Represented SAS in ITAT TSG for PCI DSS and participated in IATA subgroups

Jan 2008 - Jan 2009

1 year 1 month

Brazil

Enterprise Architect

Gas Natural

Managed a team of internal staff and external suppliers to deliver a strategic SOA program
Developed and implemented a comprehensive SOA strategy and solution
Led the Technical Design Authority team, ensuring architectural integrity and alignment with enterprise standards
Directed implementation of the integration strategy, facilitating seamless communication across systems

Sep 2006 - Dec 2007

1 year 4 months

United Kingdom

Senior Enterprise Architect

Capgemini

Played a key role in major proposals and internal projects, driving innovation and strategic alignment
Designed an SOA solution for Barclays Bank’s mortgage system as part of the Technical Design Authority team
Developed a strategy for EDF’s integration platform
Delivered the TCG capability plan for the Capgemini architecture capability program
Produced and reviewed documentation for TOGAF 8.2 to ensure compliance with industry standards

Nov 2005 - Aug 2006

10 months

Sweden

Senior Enterprise Architect

Prakrikertjänst

Developed and presented the enterprise architecture vision and roadmap using TOGAF
Established a governance model for strategic projects
Designed a comprehensive SOA roadmap for the enterprise
Delivered a blueprint for a new B2B portal
Served as technical lead for WebSphere Portal projects and Domino server integration

Nov 2003 - Sep 2005

1 year 11 months

Sweden

CTO

Prisys AB

Led the development of the Xprint production platform for the publishing industry
Participated in sales, marketing, and client meetings to drive company growth
Presented technology at exhibitions and seminars to showcase innovations
Managed installation and integration of Xprint for Sweden’s two largest newspapers as technical project manager

Jan 2002 - Oct 2003

1 year 10 months

Sweden

Director of Technology

Creuna Sweden

Served on the leadership team, contributing to strategic direction
Managed acquisition and merger with Emotion AB
Led a team of 30 architects and developers
Mentored technology team members
Shifted the company from Java to Microsoft partner, boosting revenue
Oversaw technical strategy and development processes as primary partner liaison

Jan 2000 - Jan 2002

2 years 1 month

CTO and Co-founder

JavaNet AB

Grew the business to 20 million SEK in revenue
Built a client portfolio including Tele2, Ericsson, and SEB
Recruited and mentored a team of 15 Java consultants
Delivered projects for multinational clients, enhancing reputation

Jan 1995 - Jan 2000

5 years 1 month

Sweden

E-business Solution Architect

IBM EMA/Nordic

Part of the enterprise architects team at Ericsson, using IBM methodologies and frameworks
Established relationships with Telia and Stockholm local government, selling over 6 000 man-hours
Delivered seminars on Java/WebSphere as an enterprise strategy solution
Engaged PayEX to select IBM as their payment service provider partner
Designed a payment system using Java and WebSphere application servers
Served as primary contact for e-business solutions with IBM partners
Contributed to Nordic and EMEA architect teams in multinational sales and implementations
Designed supply chain solutions for Swedish telecoms and startup e-commerce projects
Led the UNIX server maintenance group
Contributed to the infrastructure architect team

Aug 1991 - Oct 1995

4 years 3 months

Sweden

Consultant in system engineering

Stammen UNIX Specialists

Implemented Windows and UNIX servers for various clients
Deployed web servers for customers across Sweden
Instructed system management for UNIX and Windows NT throughout Sweden
Provided training on web solutions and technologies across the country

Industries Experience

See where this freelancer has spent most of their professional time. Longer bars indicate deeper hands-on experience, while shorter ones reflect targeted or project-based work.

Experienced in Aerospace and Defense (14 years), Information Technology (13 years), Professional Services (7 years), Telecommunication (5 years), Banking and Finance (2 years), and Biotechnology (2 years).

Aerospace and Defense

Information Technology

Professional Services

Telecommunication

Banking and Finance

Biotechnology

Business Areas Experience

The graph below provides a cumulative view of the freelancer's experience across multiple business areas, calculated from completed and active engagements. It highlights the areas where the freelancer has most frequently contributed to planning, execution, and delivery of business outcomes.

Experienced in Information Technology (28 years), Product Development (18.5 years), Strategy (10.5 years), Project Management (9 years), Operations (8.5 years), and Marketing (4 years).

Information Technology

Product Development

Strategy

Project Management

Operations

Marketing

Summary

Enterprise Architect & Technology Leader with 30+ years of experience designing, governing, and delivering enterprise-scale IT solutions. Combines deep technical expertise with strategic vision, ensuring that technology architectures directly enable business transformation. David has led end-to-end architecture practices across industries, with 15 years in airline and transport and over two decades in consultancy. He has defined target architectures, managed complex integrations (SOA, microservices, APIs), and delivered cloud-first strategies across AWS and Azure. He is adept at data architecture, security frameworks, and distributed systems, ensuring resilience and scalability in mission-critical environments. As a leader, David builds and mentors cross-functional architecture teams, sets governance standards, and drives adoption of emerging technologies such as blockchain and AI. He partners with executive stakeholders while remaining closely engaged with technical solution design, vendor negotiations, and implementation overseight. His pragmatic, hands-on style ensures architecture remains executable, cost-efficient, and aligned with business outcomes.

Skills

Enterprise & Solution Architecture Leadership
Target Architecture Design & Roadmap Delivery
Digital Transformation Leadership (€100m+ Programs)
Cloud Architecture & Migration (Aws, Azure, Saas, Iaas)
Data & Security Architecture (Governance, Compliance, Resilience)
Soa, Microservices, Apis & System Integration
Distributed Systems & Emerging Tech (Blockchain, Ai)
It Governance, Standards & Enterprise Policy Frameworks
Critical Thinking & Complex Problem Solving
Architecture Team Leadership & Mentoring
Budget, Vendor & Stakeholder Management (C-suite Engagement)
Frameworks & Methodologies: Togaf

Languages

English

Native

Swedish

Native

Danish

Advanced

Norwegian

Advanced

Portuguese

Intermediate

Education

Oct 1990 - Jun 1994

Chalmers Technical University

Master of Computer Technology and Science program (not finished) · Computer Technology and Science · Gothenburg, Sweden

Profile

Created

January 2026

Need a freelancer? Find your match in seconds.

Try FRATCH GPT

Frequently asked questions

Do you have questions? Here you can find further information.

Where is David based?

David is based in Portimão, Spain.

What languages does David speak?

David speaks the following languages: English (Native), Swedish (Native), Danish (Advanced), Norwegian (Advanced), Portuguese (Intermediate).

How many years of experience does David have?

David has at least 32 years of experience. During this time, David has worked in at least 13 different roles and for 15 different companies. The average length of individual experience is 2 years and 11 months. Note that David may not have shared all experience and actually has more experience.

What roles would David be best suited for?

Based on recent experience, David would be well-suited for roles such as: CIO, Head of architecture practice for the Digital Transformation program, Principal Strategy consultant/SME.

What is David's latest experience?

David's most recent position is CIO at Opsin Finance.

What companies has David worked for in recent years?

In recent years, David has worked for Opsin Finance, BioNTech, ATPCO, and SkyTeam Alliances.

Which industries is David most experienced in?

David is most experienced in industries like Aerospace and Defense, Information Technology (IT), and Professional Services. David also has some experience in Telecommunication, Banking and Finance, and Biotechnology.

Which business areas is David most experienced in?

David is most experienced in business areas like Information Technology (IT), Product Development, and Strategy and Planning. David also has some experience in Project Management, Operations, and Sales.

Which industries has David worked in recently?

David has recently worked in industries like Aerospace and Defense, Biotechnology, and Pharmaceutical.

Which business areas has David worked in recently?

David has recently worked in business areas like Information Technology (IT), Product Development, and Strategy and Planning.

What is David's education?

David holds a Master in Computer Technology and Science from Chalmers Technical University.

What is the availability of David?

David is immediately available for suitable projects.

What is the rate of David?

David's rate depends on the specific project requirements. Please use the Meet button on the profile to schedule a meeting and discuss the details.