At a Glance
- Tasks: Build advanced data pipelines to combat fraud and protect clients.
- Company: Join Vanguard, a leader in financial security and innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, performance bonuses, and comprehensive benefits.
- Other info: Collaborative hybrid work model with strong career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in cybersecurity while working with cutting-edge technology.
- Qualifications: Experience in Python/Java, SQL, and cloud environments required.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.
This Senior Data Engineer role sits within Vanguard Europe’s Enterprise Security & Fraud (ES&F) team, building advanced, cloud‑native data pipelines and real‑time systems that protect clients from fraud and financial crime. The position combines hands‑on engineering - spanning ELT development, streaming architectures, IaC, testing, deployment, and operations - with close collaboration across product, engineering, and agile teams. It requires deep experience in Python/Java, SQL, AWS, Kafka/Flink, and data transformation frameworks, with an emphasis on high‑quality engineering practices, continuous improvement, and innovative problem‑solving in a cybersecurity‑focused environment.
Make an impact where it matters most. Vanguard manages more than $11 trillion in assets worldwide, and with that scale comes a deep responsibility: safeguarding our clients from fraud and financial crime. Our Enterprise Security & Fraud (ES&F) team sits at the heart of this mission. We build advanced, cloud‑native technology that detects, prevents, and responds to emerging threats across the UK and Europe.
As a Senior Data Engineer, you’ll join a highly skilled, cybersecurity‑focused development team delivering real‑time data pipelines, decisioning systems, and tooling that protect hundreds of thousands of clients. If you want to apply your engineering expertise to problems with genuine societal and financial impact, this is the place to do it.
What you’ll do
- Design and implement real‑time data pipelines that power fraud detection and operational decision making.
- Build robust ELT workflows from source ingestion through to data presentation for internal stakeholders.
- Develop event‑driven solutions using technologies such as Apache Kafka and Apache Flink.
Engineering Excellence
- Write high‑quality, testable, maintainable code in Python or Java, with strong SQL capability.
- Contribute to solution design, code reviews, automated testing, and documentation.
- Apply industry‑leading engineering standards with a focus on code quality, consistency, and resilience.
Cloud, DevOps & Operations
- Build and maintain cloud infrastructure using AWS and Infrastructure‑as‑Code tooling (CloudFormation/Terraform).
- Own deployment and operational support across development, test, and production environments.
- Champion continuous improvement across tooling, processes, and engineering practices.
Collaboration & Agile Delivery
- Partner closely with developers, product owners, scrum masters, and analysts to ensure data enables an exceptional client experience.
- Participate fully in agile ceremonies including sprint planning, daily scrums, reviews, and retrospectives.
What we’re looking for
- Significant experience as a data engineer.
- Strong proficiency in Python or Java, SQL, cloud environments (preferably AWS).
- Hands‑on experience with Kafka and streaming frameworks such as Flink.
- Proficiency with data transformation tools (PySpark, Pandas).
- Familiarity with data quality frameworks (e.g., Great Expectations).
- Experience with graph databases is a plus.
- Exposure to building cloud infrastructure via IaC.
- Excellent communication skills, able to translate complex topics for technical and non‑technical audiences.
- Understanding of agile development; scrum experience preferred.
- A continuous learning mindset and willingness to expand both technical and non‑technical skills.
- A degree in a STEM field is beneficial but not required.
Why ES&F at Vanguard?
- ES&F is where security engineering, fraud prevention, and advanced data technology converge.
- You’ll join a mission‑driven group that blends deep technical expertise with real‑world impact.
- Purposeful work: Every pipeline, every event stream, and every decisioning workflow contributes directly to protecting investors from financial harm.
- Serious scale: Work with high‑volume behavioural, transactional, and event‑driven datasets across multiple markets.
- Cutting‑edge tooling: We invest in cloud‑native, real‑time, and streaming architectures - this is not legacy data warehousing.
- Strong engineering culture: Thoughtful design, quality code, operational excellence, and continuous improvement are non‑negotiable.
- Collaborative environment: Partner daily with security specialists, fraud analysts, architects, and data scientists.
If you want your engineering skills to translate into real‑world protection for millions of people, ES&F offers that rare blend of technical depth and meaningful purpose.
Interview Process
- Technical conversation with senior engineers.
- Hands‑on coding exercise.
- Competency‑based interview focused on collaboration, ownership, and problem‑solving.
Working at Vanguard
We offer a competitive base salary, annual performance bonus (January), partnership bonus (June), and comprehensive benefits. Our hybrid model blends collaboration with flexibility: in office Tuesday-Thursday, remote on Monday and Friday.
How We Work
Vanguard has implemented a hybrid working model for the majority of our crew members, designed to capture the benefits of enhanced flexibility while enabling in-person learning, collaboration, and connection. We believe our mission-driven and highly collaborative culture is a critical enabler to support long-term client outcomes and enrich the employee experience.
Senior Data Engineer, Anti-Fraud Technology in London employer: The Vanguard Group
Vanguard Europe is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity for Senior Data Engineers to work at the forefront of cybersecurity and fraud prevention. With a strong emphasis on collaboration, continuous improvement, and cutting-edge technology, employees benefit from a supportive work culture that prioritises professional growth and meaningful impact. The hybrid working model allows for flexibility while fostering in-person connections, making it an ideal environment for those looking to make a difference in safeguarding clients' financial well-being.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Data Engineer, Anti-Fraud Technology in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at Vanguard through LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give you insider info and maybe even a referral, which can really boost your chances.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the technical interview by brushing up on your coding skills. Practice Python or Java problems, especially those related to data pipelines and real-time systems. The more confident you are, the better you'll perform!
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your problem-solving skills during the interview. Be ready to discuss past projects where you tackled complex data challenges. Use specific examples that highlight your experience with AWS, Kafka, and ELT workflows.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining the Vanguard team.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Data Engineer, Anti-Fraud Technology in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the Senior Data Engineer role. Highlight your expertise in Python, SQL, and cloud technologies like AWS, as well as any experience with Kafka or Flink.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to tell us why you're passionate about cybersecurity and fraud prevention. Share specific examples of how you've tackled similar challenges in your previous roles to show us what you can bring to the team.
Showcase Your Projects:If you've worked on relevant projects, whether personal or professional, make sure to include them. We love seeing real-world applications of your skills, especially those involving data pipelines and real-time systems.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website for the best chance of getting noticed. It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it reaches the right people!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Vanguard Group
✨Know Your Tech Stack
Make sure you’re well-versed in the technologies mentioned in the job description, especially Python, Java, SQL, and AWS. Brush up on your knowledge of Kafka and Flink, as these are crucial for building real-time data pipelines.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare to discuss specific examples where you've tackled complex engineering challenges. Think about how you’ve applied innovative solutions in a cybersecurity context, as this will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Emphasise Collaboration
Since this role involves working closely with various teams, be ready to share experiences that highlight your teamwork skills. Discuss how you’ve partnered with product owners or analysts to deliver exceptional results.
✨Practice Coding Exercises
Expect a hands-on coding exercise during the interview. Practice coding problems related to data engineering and ensure you can write clean, maintainable code under time constraints. This will help you feel more confident on the day.
