Associate, Application Engineer

About this role

Are you interested in building innovative technology that shapes the financial markets? Do you like working at the speed of a startup, but want to solve some of the world’s most complex problems? Do you want to work with, and learn from, hands-on leaders in technology and finance? 

At BlackRock, we are looking for Software Engineers who like to innovate and solve complex problems. We recognize that strength comes from diversity, and will embrace your unique skills, curiosity, drive, and passion while giving you the opportunity to grow technically and as an individual. 

With over USD $10 trillion of assets, we have an exceptional responsibility: our technology empowers millions of investors to save for retirement, pay for college, buy a home and improve their financial wellbeing. 

Being a developer at BlackRock means you get the best of both worlds: working for one of the most advanced financial companies and being part of a software development team responsible for next generation technology and solutions.

What is Aladdin Engineering? 

• Our development team's sit inside Aladdin Engineering. We collaboratively build the next generation technology that changes the way information, people, and technology intersect for global investment firms. We build and package tools that manage trillions in assets and support millions of financial instruments. We perform risk calculations and process millions of transactions for thousands of users every day worldwide. 

Which team will you be in? 

• You will be working as a key member of our core Private Markets technology team. Your team will be primarily based in London and is part of the wider team responsible for engineering our cloud-first Private Markets platform using a microservice architecture. This platform supports hundreds of client businesses, managing and analysing their portfolios.  
• Example projects range from permissions management, document management, and business-facing investment services. 

Being a member of Aladdin Engineering you will be: 

• Tenacious: Work in a fast paced and highly complex environment 
• Creative thinker: Analyse multiple solutions and deploy technologies in a flexible way. 
• Great teammate: Think and work collaboratively and communicate effectively. 
• Fast learner: Pick up new concepts and apply them quickly. 

Responsibilities 

• Be inquisitive, enthusiastic and open to quickly learning the business and our systems. 
• Design, develop, and implement secure, scalable, and reliable micro-services to deliver client-facing applications built on Java technologies, using both REST and gRPC where required. 
• Contribute to individual project priorities, deadlines and deliverables using AGILE methodologies. 
• Deliver highly efficient, highly available, concurrent and fault tolerant software systems. 
• Work with your team, product management and business users to deliver the roadmap for the product. 
• Design and develop innovative solutions to complex problems, identifying issues and roadblocks. 
• To get involved in the wider organization beyond the team, and become an integral part of the wider Aladdin Engineering organization. 

Qualifications 

• 4+ years hands-on experience in Java/Spring Framework/Spring Boot 
• Experience of Java 17+ 
• Experience designing and building scalable micro-services using API-First principles using at least one of REST/gRPC. 
• Exposure to Docker, Kubernetes and cloud services is beneficial. 
• Experience in message brokers such as Kafka is a plus. 
• Demonstrable experience building modern software using engineering tools such as git, maven, unit testing and integration testing tools, mocking frameworks. 
• Effective communication and presentation skills (written and verbal) are required. 
• A real-world practitioner of OO development coupled with an understanding of applying standard Design Patterns to your software design. 
• Strong analytical problem-solving skills with an ability to pick up new concepts quickly. 
• Friendly, positive and can-do attitude. 
• Bachelor or Masters Degree in Computer Science or Engineering preferred. 

Our benefits

To help you stay energized, engaged and inspired, we offer a wide range of employee benefits including: retirement investment and tools designed to help you in building a sound financial future; access to education reimbursement; comprehensive resources to support your physical health and emotional well-being; family support programs; and Flexible Time Off (FTO) so you can relax, recharge and be there for the people you care about.

Our hybrid work model

BlackRock’s hybrid work model is designed to enable a culture of collaboration and apprenticeship that enriches the experience of our employees, while supporting flexibility for all. Employees are currently required to work at least 4 days in the office per week, with the flexibility to work from home 1 day a week. Some business groups may require more time in the office due to their roles and responsibilities. We remain focused on increasing the impactful moments that arise when we work together in person – aligned with our commitment to performance and innovation. As a new joiner, you can count on this hybrid model to accelerate your learning and onboarding experience here at BlackRock.

About BlackRock

At BlackRock, we are all connected by one mission: to help more and more people experience financial well-being.  Our clients, and the people they serve, are saving for retirement, paying for their children’s educations, buying homes and starting businesses. Their investments also help to strengthen the global economy: support businesses small and large; finance infrastructure projects that connect and power cities; and facilitate innovations that drive progress.

This mission would not be possible without our smartest investment – the one we make in our employees. It’s why we’re dedicated to creating an environment where our colleagues feel welcomed, valued and supported with networks, benefits and development opportunities to help them thrive.

For additional information on BlackRock, please visit @blackrock | Twitter: @blackrock | LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/blackrock

BlackRock is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.  We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to age, disability, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation and other protected characteristics at law.