At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and build cloud-based identity services for client authentication.
- Company: Vanguard, a leading investment management company with a mission-driven culture.
- Benefits: Hybrid work model, competitive salary, and a focus on professional development.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive environment with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Join a team making a real impact on security and client experience.
- Qualifications: Strong backend skills in TypeScript, Node.js, and AWS experience required.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
Job Title Senior Software Engineer – Client Identity (Backend)
The Role
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 mainly contribute across backend APIs, Cloud Infrastructure, and Dev Ops.
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 backend fundamentals, cloud experience, and a responsible, methodical engineering mindset.
- Build and evolve backend services that support client authentication and MFA
- Design and implement REST APIs using Nest JS / Type Script
- Integrate with identity and MFA platforms (e. g. Transmit Security, Auth0)
- Deploy and operate services on AWS, using Cloud Formation/Cloud Blocks
- 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 it takes
- Expertise in Type Script
- Strong backend engineering fundamentals with Node. js and Nest JS or Express
- Experience designing and building REST APIs
- Understanding of authentication protocols: OAuth2.0, JWT
- Hands‑on experience with AWS (ECS, Lambda, Cloud Front, S3, Secrets Manager)
- Familiarity with Infrastructure as Code (Cloud Formation or CDK/Terraform)
- Strong Git practices and CI/CD experience (Git Hub Actions or similar)
- Experience writing unit and integration tests (Jest)
- Nice to Have Experience with identity, authentication, or MFA systems
- Familiarity with Kong API Gateway or similar
- Exposure to Aurora Postgre SQL or Dynamo DB
- Knowledge of microservices architectures
- Exposure to security concepts (IAM, encryption, networking)
- Experience with observability tooling (Open Telemetry, Honeycomb, Grafana)
- Special Factors
- Vanguard is not offering visa sponsorship for this position
- This is a hybrid position and would require you to work in the office 3 days per week (Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday)
Why Vanguard?
Vanguard is a different kind of investment company.
It was founded in the United States in 1975 on a simple but revolutionary idea: that an investment company should manage its funds solely in the interests of its clients.
This is a philosophy that has helped millions of people around the world to achieve their goals with low-cost, uncomplicated investments.
It's what we stand for: value to investors.
Inclusion Statement
Vanguard’s continued commitment to diversity and inclusion is firmly rooted in our culture.
Every decision we make to best serve our clients, crew (internally employees are referred to as crew), and communities is guided by one simple statement: “Do the right thing.”We believe that a critical aspect of doing the right thing requires building diverse, inclusive, and highly effective teams of individuals who are as unique as the clients they serve.
We empower our crew to contribute their distinct strengths to achieving Vanguard’s core purpose through our values.
When all crew members feel valued and included, our ability to collaborate and innovate is amplified, and we are united in delivering on Vanguard's core purpose: to take a stand for all investors, to treat them fairly, and to give them the best chance for investment success.
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.
Vanguard, one of the world's leading investment management companies, serves individual investors, institutions, employer-sponsored retirement plans, and financial professionals.
We have a diverse and talented crew with a culture that promotes teamwork, along with an unwavering focus on serving our clients' best interests.
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Senior Software Engineer – Client Identity (Backend) employer: The Vanguard Group
The Vanguard Group is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture in Manchester that fosters innovation and collaboration. Employees benefit from comprehensive growth opportunities, mentorship from industry leaders, and the chance to work on cutting-edge AI-driven projects that shape the future of marketing technology. With a strong commitment to employee well-being and professional development, Vanguard stands out as a rewarding place for those seeking meaningful careers in tech.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Software Engineer – Client Identity (Backend)
✨Join Local Tech Meetups
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✨Contribute to Open Source Projects
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We think you need these skills to ace Senior Software Engineer – Client Identity (Backend)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show off your coding skills:When applying for a software engineering role, it's super important to showcase your coding skills. Make sure your CV includes your tech stack, any relevant programming languages you’re comfortable with, and examples of projects you've worked on. If you have a GitHub profile, link it up! We love to see code in action.
Tailor your portfolio:For a full-time role, we’d expect to see some solid examples of your work in your portfolio. Make sure to include at least two or three projects that highlight your problem-solving skills and your ability to work with different technologies. Focus on the projects that are most relevant to the position at The Vanguard Group.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at The Vanguard Group and how your skills align with the role. Show us your passion for software development. We dig enthusiastic candidates who understand the value of collaboration and continuous learning!
Be clear and concise:When it comes to writing your CV and cover letter, clarity is key. Avoid jargon that could confuse us and stick to simple, direct language. Highlight your achievements with quantifiable results where possible, and keep everything easy to read. A well-organised application goes a long way!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Vanguard Group
✨Brush Up on Your Coding Skills
For a full-time software engineering role, it's crucial that we stay sharp with our coding abilities. Expect technical questions that might involve solving problems on the spot or discussing algorithms. Practise on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to get comfortable with the types of questions that often come up.
✨Know Your Tools and Frameworks
Make sure we’re well-acquainted with the tools and technologies listed in the job description. Familiarise ourselves with any specific frameworks or programming languages mentioned. If The Vanguard Group uses React or Node.js, for instance, be ready to discuss how we’ve used them in previous projects or coursework.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Bring along a portfolio that highlights our best work. This could be code samples, GitHub repositories, or any side projects we’ve built. Make sure we can talk through our thought process for each project, especially the challenges we faced and how we solved them—this shows our problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
While technical skills are key, full-time positions also require cultural fit. Be ready to discuss our previous experiences and how we handle teamwork, conflict, and deadlines. Brush up on the STAR method—Situation, Task, Action, Result—to clearly articulate our past experiences when discussing how we've contributed to a team.