At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the development of innovative fraud detection systems and mentor a talented engineering team.
- Company: Vanguard, a revolutionary investment company focused on client interests since 1975.
- Benefits: Attractive salary, performance bonuses, hybrid work model, and competitive benefits.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in financial security while growing your technical leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in AWS, Python, and team leadership; strong communication skills required.
- Other info: Join a collaborative culture that values trust, inclusion, and continuous improvement.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 £ per year.
Job Description
Vanguard
Technical Lead – AWS Engineering (Anti-Fraud Engineering Team)
Location:London or Manchester (Hybrid)
About Vanguard
Vanguard is an investment company unlike any other . It was founded by Jack Bogle in the US in 1975 on a simple but revolutionary idea: that an investment company should manage its funds solely in the interests of its clients . Jack helped bring investing to the masses with the index fund. Index funds do not pick individual shares or bonds to beat the market. They track the performance of the entire market . Or as Jack put it, "Don't look for the needle in the haystack. Just buy the haystack! ". We have stood for low-cost, uncomplicated investing ever since. Over the last 45 years people have come round to our way of thinking and more than 50 million investors worldwide now trust us with their money.
About the Role
We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated Technical Lead to drive the development and modernization of our transaction monitoring and fraud detection systems . You will lead a cross-functional engineering team focused on building scalable, secure, and intelligent solutions to detect and prevent fraud and money laundering across our global platforms.
This role includes direct line management of the engineers within the Anti-Fraud Engineering team (currently five), with responsibility for their development, performance, and wellbeing. As the team matures . You will also help shape the team's structure and capabilities as business needs evolve .
In return we offer an attractive base salary, annual performance bonus paid in January, Partnership bonus paid in June, and competitive benefits. At Vanguard we work Monday to Friday and our staff in most roles work in the office on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, with Mondays and Fridays working from home .
About the team
The Anti-Fraud Engineering team are an integral part of Vanguards Security , Fraud and Financial Crime capability, providing solutions that protect Vanguards clients and their assets. Our team builds and maintains intelligent, scalable systems that detect and prevent fraudulent activity across Vanguard's platforms. These systems help ensure that our clients' investments remain secure, their identities protected, and their trust in Vanguard upheld.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the design, development, and deployment of a bespoke fraud detection and transaction monitoring system.
- Collaborate with a variety of stakeholders and financial crime experts globally to define a technical vision and strategy for the platform .
- Architect scalable and robust cloud solutions using a variety of in-house and third-party tools.
- Ensure high code quality and engineering best practices through code reviews, mentoring, and technical guidance.
- Own and evolve the technical design of core fraud detection components, ensuring performance, reliability, and maintainability.
- Communicate effectively with stakeholders across engineering, product, and business teams.
- Drive continuous improvement in team processes, tooling, and development workflows.
- Coach and support engineers in their technical growth, fostering a culture of learning and continuous improvement.
- Provide thoughtful line management for the engineering team – including goal setting, career development, performance feedback, and day-to-day support – tailored to individual strengths and aspirations.
- Champion a team culture rooted in trust, inclusion, and technical excellence, where engineers feel empowered to take ownership and grow.
Preferred Qualifications
- Proven experience as a Technical Lead or Senior Engineer in designing and delivering complex, high-impact systems within a cross-functional environment.
- Experience in line management or team leadership, with a track record of developing and supporting engineers.
- Strong proficiency in:
- AWS (Lambda, Glue , ECS , S3 , etc.)
- Python and PySpark (data pipelines, APIs, automation)
- TypeScript and React (frontend development)
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
- Demonstrated expertise in technical design and architecture of distributed systems.
- Familiarity with fraud detection models, anomaly detection, and rule-based systems.
- Clear understanding of secure coding practices and data privacy principles.
- Exposure to CI/CD pipelines and infrastructure-as-code tools (e.g., Terraform, 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.
Technical Lead - AWS Engineering - Vanguard employer: Vanguard
Contact Detail:
Vanguard Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Technical Lead - AWS Engineering - Vanguard
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with folks in the industry! Attend meetups, webinars, or even just grab a coffee with someone who works at Vanguard. Building relationships can open doors that a CV just can't.
✨Show Off Your Skills
When you get the chance to chat with recruiters or during interviews, don’t hold back! Share specific examples of your work, especially those related to AWS and fraud detection. We want to see how you’ve tackled challenges and made an impact.
✨Tailor Your Approach
Do your homework on Vanguard and the Anti-Fraud Engineering team. Understand our mission and values, and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with what we do. This shows you’re genuinely interested and not just sending out generic applications.
✨Apply Through Our Website
We highly recommend applying directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re proactive and really keen on joining our team!
We think you need these skills to ace Technical Lead - AWS Engineering - Vanguard
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Technical Lead role. Highlight your AWS expertise and any relevant projects you've led, as this will show us you're a great fit for our Anti-Fraud Engineering team.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Use your cover letter to tell us why you're passionate about fraud detection and how your leadership style can benefit our team. Share specific examples of how you've driven technical projects in the past, as we love to see real-world applications of your skills.
Showcase Your Communication Skills: Since you'll be collaborating with various stakeholders, it's crucial to demonstrate your communication prowess. Use clear and concise language in your application, and consider including examples of how you've effectively communicated complex technical concepts in previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. This not only streamlines the process but also ensures your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at Vanguard
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your AWS skills, especially Lambda, Glue, and ECS. Be ready to discuss how you've used these technologies in past projects, as well as any challenges you faced and how you overcame them.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
As a Technical Lead, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to manage and mentor a team. Prepare examples of how you've supported engineers in their growth and how you've fostered a culture of trust and inclusion within your teams.
✨Communicate Clearly
Vanguard values effective communication across teams. Practice explaining complex technical concepts in simple terms, as you’ll need to collaborate with various stakeholders. Think about how you can convey your ideas clearly and concisely.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills, particularly around fraud detection and transaction monitoring systems. Think through potential scenarios you might face in the role and how you would approach them, showcasing your technical design and architecture expertise.