Application Engineer (Java Backend Developer), Aladdin Engineering, Vice President

BlackRock is seeking Software Engineers to innovate and solve sophisticated problems within Aladdin Engineering. This role focuses on Post Trade Accounting (PTA), a rapidly growing business area with significant greenfield development opportunities. The Application Engineer will provide strong leadership and hands-on technical expertise in backend design, architecture, and solutioning, collaborating with global teams to deliver high-performance and reliable software solutions. Responsibilities include defining backend architecture, managing stakeholders, owning delivery planning, and mentoring a high-performing engineering team.

Must Have

• Provide strong leadership and hands-on technical expertise in backend design, architecture, and solutioning.
• Collaborate with cross-functional, globally distributed teams to deliver high-performance and reliable software solutions.
• Break down complex technical problems into clear, actionable tasks and make informed architectural decisions.
• Lead backend development strategy for core products and platforms.
• Define and evolve backend architecture, ensuring alignment with enterprise standards, scalability, performance, and security.
• Engage and manage senior stakeholders, effectively translating business requirements into technical solutions.
• Own delivery planning by setting project milestones, allocating resources effectively, and ensuring timely delivery.
• Proactively identify project risks, create mitigation plans, and escalate issues when necessary.
• Oversee production readiness, early life support, and post-release stability including root cause analysis.
• Stay current with emerging technologies and guide their adoption within product and platform roadmaps.
• Build, mentor, and retain a high-performing engineering team.
• Operate independently with minimal supervision while providing strategic guidance.
• 8+ years of experience in enterprise-grade architecture and design.
• Strong proficiency in Java and backend technologies, with deep understanding of performance optimization, scalability, and system resilience.
• 8+ years of experience with Open-Source tools (Spring, Hibernate, JUnit, etc.).
• Strong experience in SQL and PL/SQL, as well as NoSQL technologies.
• Experience building and maintaining real-time data pipelines and event-driven microservices using Real-time distributed event streaming platform.

Good to Have

• Familiarity with scripting languages (Python, Bash, or Perl) to automate tasks.
• Experience with cloud native development (Cloud-Native distributed containerized microservice orchestration, Open Container Initiative (OCI) container packaging and runtime).
• Interest in financial markets is preferred.
• Data engineering experience on platforms like Snowflake is a plus.

Perks & Benefits

• Strong retirement plan
• Tuition reimbursement
• Comprehensive healthcare
• Support for working parents
• Flexible Time Off (FTO)

About this role

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

With over USD $10 trillion of assets, we have a fiduciary responsibility: our technology empowers millions of investors to save for retirement, pay for college, buy a home, and improve their financial wellbeing. BlackRock also places Sustainability at the center of our investment process and being a developer at BlackRock means you get the best of both worlds: working for one of the most progressive financial companies and also being part of a software engineering team responsible for next generation technology and solutions.

About Post Trade Accounting (PTA):

• One of the largest areas of investment in Aladdin
• A rapidly growing, thriving business, with significant green field development opportunities, and assignments that directly impact business outcomes
• One of the only areas in Aladdin that generates its own direct revenues
• Join a multi-faceted organization with unified purpose and goals that span not only Engineering but our partner organizations in Product, Solutions, Service, Sales, and Marketing
• Professional work environment that offers both challenging/growth assignments and work-life balance
• Agile development practices balance workloads while providing engineers with a variety of experiences

Responsibilities include:

• Provide strong leadership and hands-on technical expertise in backend design, architecture, and solutioning. Drive the team toward effective, scalable, and maintainable implementations.
• Collaborate with cross-functional, globally distributed teams to deliver high-performance and reliable software solutions aligned with business goals.
• Break down complex technical problems into clear, actionable tasks and make informed architectural decisions that balance long-term strategy with short-term needs.
• Lead backend development strategy for core products and platforms, fostering a culture of innovation, quality, and continuous improvement.
• Define and evolve backend architecture, ensuring alignment with enterprise standards, scalability, performance, and security best practices.
• Engage and manage senior stakeholders, effectively translating business requirements into technical solutions and influencing key technology decisions.
• Own delivery planning by setting project milestones, allocating resources effectively, and ensuring timely delivery across multiple concurrent initiatives.
• Proactively identify project risks, create mitigation plans, and escalate issues when necessary to maintain project timelines and quality.
• Oversee production readiness, early life support, and post-release stability including root cause analysis and remediation strategies.
• Stay current with emerging technologies (including Real-time distributed event streaming platform and other streaming platforms), assess their potential impact, and guide their adoption within product and platform roadmaps.
• Build, mentor, and retain a high-performing engineering team. Promote continuous learning and facilitate upskilling initiatives to match evolving tech landscapes.
• Operate independently with minimal supervision while providing strategic guidance to junior engineers and stakeholders alike.

Qualifications/ Competencies:

• B.S. / M.S. degree in Computer Science, Engineering or a related discipline
• 8+ years of experience in enterprise-grade architecture and design. Strong proficiency in Java and backend technologies, with deep understanding of performance optimization, scalability, and system resilience
• 8+ years of experience with Open-Source tools (Spring, Hibernate, JUnit, etc.).
• Strong experience in SQL and PL/SQL, as well as NoSQL technologies such as Distributed highly available NoSQL data store, Search and analytics engines for structured and unstructured data, or Distributed real-time compute and caching platform.
• Experience building and maintaining real-time data pipelines and event-driven microservices using Real-time distributed event streaming platform for distributed communication and system decoupling
• Enthusiasm and flexibility to work independently or in a team-environment
• Multi-tasking, collaboration and effective communication skills are a must.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills

Good to have:

• Familiarity with scripting languages (Python, Bash, or Perl) to automate tasks and improve developer workflows.
• Experience with cloud native development (Cloud-Native distributed containerized microservice orchestration, Open Container Initiative (OCI) container packaging and runtime).
• Interest in financial markets is preferred.
• Data engineering experience on platforms like Snowflake is a plus

Our benefits

To help you stay energized, engaged and inspired, we offer a wide range of benefits including a strong retirement plan, tuition reimbursement, comprehensive healthcare, support for working parents 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.