At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and build cloud-based identity services, focusing on authentication and MFA.
- Company: Join Vanguard, a leading tech company with a mission-driven culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with excellent career advancement opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by enhancing security for hundreds of thousands of clients.
- Qualifications: Strong full-stack fundamentals, cloud experience, and a methodical engineering mindset.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
In the European Client Identity team, we are building and operating Vanguard's authentication and MFA platform used by hundreds of thousands of clients across the UK and Europe. This is a hands-on senior full-stack role focused on designing, building, deploying, and operating cloud-based identity services. You will contribute across backend APIs, cloud infrastructure, and frontend experiences — with React as the preferred frontend framework for new UI work. You will work in a highly regulated environment where security, reliability, and operational discipline matter. You don't need to be an identity expert on day one — but you do need strong full-stack fundamentals, cloud experience, and a responsible, methodical engineering mindset.
What You’ll Do
- Build and evolve backend services that support login, MFA, and client authentication
- Design and implement REST APIs using NestJS / TypeScript
- Build frontend experiences using React where new UI development is required
- Integrate with identity and MFA platforms (e.g. Transmit Security, Auth0)
- Deploy and operate services on AWS, using Infrastructure as Code
- Run and maintain services in production, including:
- Database migrations and updates
- Manage vendor-specific software services running in AWS
- Write automated tests and contribute to improving test coverage and quality
- Participate in CI/CD pipelines, deployments, and operational procedures
- Work closely with product and security stakeholders to translate requirements into technical solutions
- Continuously improve engineering standards, tooling, and reliability
What We’re Looking For (Must-Have)
- Strong backend engineering fundamentals with Node.js and NestJS or Express
- TypeScript across frontend and backend
- Experience designing and building REST APIs
- Understanding of authentication protocols: OAuth 2.0, JWT, MFA flows
- Hands-on experience with AWS (ECS, Lambda, CloudFront, S3, Secrets Manager)
- Familiarity with Infrastructure as Code (CloudFormation or Terraform)
- Experience with containerised workloads (Docker)
- Strong Git practices and CI/CD experience (GitHub Actions or similar)
- Experience writing unit and integration tests (Jest)
Nice to Have
- React experience for frontend development — preferred for any new UI work
- Experience with identity, authentication, or MFA systems
- Familiarity with Kong API Gateway or similar
- Exposure to Aurora PostgreSQL or DynamoDB
- Knowledge of microservices architectures
- Exposure to security concepts (IAM, encryption, networking)
- Experience with observability tooling (OpenTelemetry, Honeycomb, Grafana)
- Experience in regulated or enterprise environments
Our Tech Stack
AWS • TypeScript • React • Node.js (NestJS) • REST APIs • Auth0 • Transmit Security • Kong Gateway • GitHub • GitHub Actions • CloudFormation
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 Software Engineer - Identity & Authentication in London employer: The Vanguard Group
Vanguard is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and collaborative work environment where innovation thrives. With a strong focus on employee growth and a hybrid working model, team members enjoy the flexibility to balance their professional and personal lives while contributing to meaningful projects that impact clients across the UK and Europe. The company's commitment to security and operational excellence ensures that employees are part of a mission-driven culture that values their contributions and fosters continuous learning.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Software Engineer - Identity & Authentication in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in the industry, attend meetups, and connect with current employees at Vanguard. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your projects, especially those involving Node.js, TypeScript, and React. This gives you a chance to demonstrate your full-stack capabilities beyond just a CV.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for technical interviews by brushing up on your backend fundamentals and cloud experience. Practice coding challenges and be ready to discuss your approach to building secure and reliable systems.
✨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 our team.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Software Engineer - Identity & Authentication in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the Senior Software Engineer role. Highlight your backend and frontend experience, especially with Node.js, NestJS, and React. We want to see how your journey aligns with our mission!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Share your passion for identity and authentication, and explain why you’re excited about working with us at Vanguard. Be sure to mention any relevant projects or experiences that showcase your full-stack capabilities.
Showcase Your Projects:If you've worked on any cool projects, especially those involving cloud services or authentication protocols, don’t hold back! Include links to your GitHub or any live demos. We love seeing practical examples of your work and how you tackle challenges.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, it shows us you’re serious about joining our team. Let’s make this happen together!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Vanguard Group
✨Know Your Tech Stack
Familiarise yourself with the technologies mentioned in the job description, especially AWS, TypeScript, and React. Be ready to discuss your experience with these tools and how you've used them in past projects.
✨Demonstrate Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare to showcase your problem-solving abilities by discussing specific challenges you've faced in previous roles. Think about how you designed and implemented solutions, particularly in backend services and REST APIs.
✨Understand Security Protocols
Since this role involves identity and authentication, brush up on key security concepts like OAuth 2.0 and JWT. Be prepared to explain how you've applied these protocols in your work and why they matter in a regulated environment.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, ask questions that show your interest in the role and the company. Inquire about their approach to CI/CD or how they handle cloud infrastructure challenges. This demonstrates your enthusiasm and helps you gauge if it's the right fit for you.
