Senior Developer – Real Time Investment Data Systems

Senior Developer – Real Time Investment Data Systems

Full-Time 70000 - 90000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Vanguard

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead the development of real-time data platforms for investment management.
  • Company: Join a leading investment management technology team with a focus on innovation.
  • Benefits: Enjoy a hybrid work model, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
  • Other info: Mentorship opportunities available to enhance your technical skills.
  • Why this job: Make a significant impact on trading and analytics workflows in a dynamic environment.
  • Qualifications: Proven experience in software engineering and real-time data platforms is essential.

The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.

The Role

We are seeking a Senior Developer to work on the design and delivery of real‑time and time‑series data platforms within our investment management technology team.

This role combines hands‑on engineering with domain expertise, setting direction for systems that underpin market data, trading, portfolio, and analytics workflows used by Portfolio Managers, Traders, and Quant teams.

Key Responsibilities

  • Act as lead developer for real‑time and historical data platforms, including integration with vendor platforms like One Tick and real‑time data providers like Bloomberg, Refinitiv, etc.
  • Design, implement, and maintain scalable and reliable data services.
  • Collaborate with business and IT leaders to understand requirements, propose scalable solutions, and set engineering standards around performance, resilience, data quality, and observability.
  • Make pragmatic architectural decisions balancing business urgency, scalability, and long‑term maintainability.
  • Lead engineering standards around performance, resilience, data quality, and observability; review code and designs for correctness, performance, and operational readiness.
  • Design schemas, partitioning, and data lifecycle strategies for large‑scale intraday and historical datasets.
  • Integrate with vendor platforms and ensure consistent, reliable data for internal consumers.
  • Optimize query performance and data access patterns for PM, Trader, and Quant use cases.
  • Own production stability for business‑critical data systems, particularly during trading hours.
  • Define and enforce best practices for monitoring, alerting, incident response, and root‑cause analysis.
  • Identify performance bottlenecks, scalability risks, and operational weaknesses.
  • Mentor engineers, providing technical guidance and raising overall team capability.

Qualifications

  • Proven significant professional software engineering experience in building real‑time data platforms in the investment management domain.
  • Strong integration experience with real‑time vendor platforms like One Tick; strong experience in time‑series databases and analytical platforms.
  • Hands‑on proficiency in Java, Python, and other programming languages; building scalable services on AWS.
  • Experience acting as Lead Engineer on mission‑critical systems involving real‑time streaming and messaging technologies on AWS.
  • Deep understanding of financial time‑series characteristics and ability to design scalable schemas and query models for intraday and historical analytics.
  • Strong understanding of market data, orders, executions, positions, portfolios, and pricing.
  • Experience balancing latency, storage efficiency, and analytical flexibility.
  • Familiarity with vendor data ecosystems (Bloomberg, Refinitiv, Market Axess).
  • Track record delivering platforms used directly by PMs, Traders, and Quant teams.
  • Strong ability to influence technical direction and mentor senior and junior engineers.
  • Special Factors
  • Vanguard is not offering visa sponsorship for this position.
  • This is a hybrid position; would require working in the office 3 days per week (Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday).
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Senior Developer – Real Time Investment Data Systems employer: Vanguard

Vanguard in Manchester is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters collaboration and innovation. Employees benefit from comprehensive growth opportunities, including professional development and mentorship, while enjoying the flexibility of a hybrid work model that promotes work-life balance. With a commitment to excellence and a supportive environment, Vanguard empowers its team members to thrive and make impactful contributions to the business.

Vanguard

Contact Details:

Vanguard Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Senior Developer – Real Time Investment Data Systems

Get Involved in Finance Communities

Join investment and asset management forums or local finance meetups. Engaging with professionals in these circles can not only help you learn the ropes but also put you in touch with potential employers like Vanguard, who often scout for talent at such events.

Utilise Networking Platforms

Connect with professionals already working in asset management on platforms like LinkedIn. A personal message showing your interest in their role or asking for advice can lead to significant connections that might tip the scales in your favour at companies like Vanguard.

Show Off Your Financial Skills

Consider contributing to investment blogs or even creating your own content. Sharing your insights and analyses can demonstrate your knowledge and passion for the industry, making you stand out when applying for roles at organisations like Vanguard.

Engage with Recruitment Events

Attend finance recruitment fairs and expos. These events are perfect for making a strong impression with recruiters and potentially securing interviews. Many companies, including Vanguard, attend these events to scout for fresh talent, so make sure you stand out with your enthusiasm and knowledge!

We think you need these skills to ace Senior Developer – Real Time Investment Data Systems

Real-Time Data Platforms
Time-Series Databases
Java
Python
AWS
Integration with Vendor Platforms
Data Services Design

Some tips for your application 🫡

Highlight Your Analytical Skills:In asset management, it's all about the numbers! Make sure your CV showcases your analytical skills, particularly any experience with financial modelling or quantitative analysis. Employers like Vanguard want to see how you can dissect data and turn it into actionable insights, so don't hold back on your achievements!

Show Off Your Relevant Qualifications:Having the right qualifications can be a game changer in investment roles. If you've got a degree in finance, economics, or a related field, flaunt it! Also, if you have any certifications like CFA or CAIA, mention those too. It’ll help demonstrate your commitment and expertise in the field to Vanguard.

Tailor Your Cover Letter to Reflect Passion for Investment:Your cover letter is your chance to express your enthusiasm for the investment world. Share why you're drawn to asset management and your understanding of market trends. The hiring team at Vanguard will be keen to see that passion and how you keep up with industry news and developments.

Quantify Your Achievements:Don’t just tell them what you did - show them! When detailing your previous experience, include quantifiable achievements to illustrate your impact. Whether it’s percentage growth on a portfolio or cost savings in a project, these figures will help your application stand out to Vanguard. Numbers speak louder than words!

How to prepare for a job interview at Vanguard

Brush Up on Financial Modelling

For a role in investment asset management, being well-versed in financial modelling is crucial. Make sure you can articulate your experience with tools like Excel or any specialised software you've used. Maybe even prepare a couple of examples of financial models you've built or analysed.

Know Your Investment Strategies

Expect questions around different investment strategies and how you would apply them in various market scenarios. Get ready to discuss current market trends and how they impact portfolio management. This shows you're not just about the theory but also keeping an eye on real-world applications.

Show Your Analytical Skills

Since this is a full-time role, companies like Vanguard want to see your analytical thinking in action. Prepare to solve case studies or tackle some numerical puzzles during the interview. Practicing these types of questions will boost your confidence and show off your skills.

Discuss Your Long-Term Career Goals

As you’re applying for a full-time position, the interviewers will be interested in your commitment to the field. Be ready to discuss how this role fits into your long-term career plans in asset management. This shows you're not just looking for any job, but you’re genuinely interested in growing withVanguard.