Application Engineering Technical Lead - II

Vanguard; Malvern (Chester County); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Vanguard in Malvern, PA is expanding its Full Stack Engineering team to build end-to-end capabilities for Institutional Plan Sponsor Services and modernization journeys. The team will develop greenfield applications using AI-enabled technologies and automated practices to accelerate delivery and deliver measurable value across clients and stakeholders.

This senior role directs technology strategy across platforms, mentors engineers, and collaborates with UI/UX and backend teams to ensure

Qualifications

• Minimum 8 years of experience in software development, architecture, and system integration.
• Expertise in software architecture, system design, and technical leadership for enterprise applications.
• Strong programming skills in Java, Spring Boot, React, Angular, Node JS, AWS, CloudFormation, ECS, Fargate, DynamoDB, S3, Lambda, IAM.
• Hands-on experience with AI tools/solutions (Claude, Copilot), AWS, Agile, Confluence, JIRA, and monitoring dashboards.
• Ability to troubleshoot complex technical issues and optimize system performance.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Desired Certifications: AWS Cloud Practitioner, AWS Solutions Architect, AWS Solution Consultant.

Responsibilities

• Provide senior-level technical leadership for complex software, middleware, and cloud engineering initiatives across multiple platforms.
• Lead architecture, solution design, development, integration, deployment, and production support across the SDLC.
• Evaluate technology options, approve architectural decisions, and ensure security, reliability, and performance requirements.
• Resolve complex technical issues through troubleshooting, root cause analysis, and long-term corrective actions.
• Partner with stakeholders, product teams, architects, and vendors to define solution strategies and communicate recommendations.
• Establish and promote engineering best practices, standards, and modern delivery methodologies while mentoring engineers.
• Design, review, and maintain architecture documentation, standards, and implementation guidelines.
• Drive continuous improvement in software quality, testing automation, observability, and delivery processes.
• Design and review reusable, testable full-stack solutions using modern frameworks and cloud-native tech.
• Collaborate with UI/UX, frontend, and backend teams to deliver seamless user experiences and scalable architectures.
• Architect and manage data integrations across APIs, databases, cloud services, and enterprise platforms.
• Ensure compliance with enterprise security standards and secure-by-design development.
• Apply knowledge of front-, middle-, and back-office processes to improve efficiency and controls.
• Participate in modernization programs and other strategic initiatives.

Skills

Java

Spring Boot

React

Angular

Node.js

AWS

CloudFormation

ECS

Fargate

DynamoDB

S3

Lambda

IAM

AI tools

JIRA

Confluence

Agile

Mentoring

Leadership

Tools

AWS

CloudFormation

ECS

Fargate

DynamoDB

S3

Lambda

IAM

Claude

Copilot

JIRA

Confluence

Job description

Role Summary

We are expanding our Full Stack Engineering team to build end-to-end capabilities supporting Institutional Plan Sponsor Services and other modernization journeys. The team will develop greenfield applications using modern, AI-enabled technologies and automated engineering practices to accelerate delivery, improve program transparency, and deliver measurable business value to our clients and stakeholders. This role provides the most senior level IT technical lead services, directing technology strategy across platforms and teams, while delivering user-centric full-stack solutions and managing scalable backend integration.

Role Summary

We are expanding our Full Stack Engineering team to build end-to-end capabilities supporting Institutional Plan Sponsor Services and other modernization journeys. The team will develop greenfield applications using modern, AI-enabled technologies and automated engineering practices to accelerate delivery, improve program transparency, and deliver measurable business value to our clients and stakeholders. This role provides the most senior level IT technical lead services, directing technology strategy across platforms and teams, while delivering user-centric full-stack solutions and managing scalable backend integration.

Responsibilities

• Provide senior-level technical leadership for complex software, middleware, and cloud engineering initiatives across multiple platforms, delivering scalable and maintainable solutions.
• Lead application architecture, solution design, development, integration, deployment, and production support activities across the software development lifecycle.
• Evaluate technology options, approve architectural decisions, and ensure technical deliverables meet functional, performance, reliability, and security requirements.
• Resolve complex technical issues through troubleshooting, root cause analysis, and implementation of long-term corrective actions while proactively mitigating technology risks.
• Partner with business stakeholders, product teams, architects, and vendors to assess change impacts, define solution strategies, and communicate technical recommendations.
• Establish and promote engineering best practices, development standards, and modern delivery methodologies while mentoring engineers and technical contributors.
• Create, review, and maintain architecture documentation, technical specifications, standards, and implementation guidelines.
• Drive continuous improvement in software quality, testing automation, observability, development processes, and engineering tools.
• Design, develop, and review reusable, testable, and maintainable full-stack solutions using modern frameworks, cloud-native technologies, and automated engineering practices.
• Collaborate with UI/UX, front-end, and backend engineering teams to deliver seamless user experiences and scalable application architectures.
• Architect and manage data integrations across APIs, databases, cloud services, and enterprise platforms to support secure and efficient data flows.
• Ensure compliance with enterprise technology, risk, and information security standards while promoting secure-by-design development practices.
• Apply knowledge of front-, middle-, and back-office business processes to design technology solutions that improve operational efficiency and support effective controls.
• Participate in strategic initiatives, modernization programs, and other projects as assigned.

Qualifications And Skills

• Minimum 8 years of experience in software development, architecture, and system integration.
• Expertise in software architecture, system design, and technical leadership for enterprise applications.
• Strong programming skills in Java, Spring Boot, React, Angular, Node JS, AWS, CloudFormation, ECS, Fargate, DynamoDB, S3, Lambda, IAM.
• Hands-on experience with AI tools/solutions (Claude, Copilot), AWS, Agile, Confluence, JIRA, and monitoring and refining dashboards; knowledge of continuous process improvement for process flows/workflows.
• Ability to troubleshoot complex technical issues, conduct root cause analysis, and optimize system performance.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills to influence technical decisions.
• Desired Certifications: AWS Cloud Practitioner, AWS Solutions Architect, AWS Solution Consultant.
• Experience in mentoring teams, establishing technical standards, and driving continuous process improvement.

Special Factors

Sponsorship

Vanguard is not offering visa sponsorship for this position.

About Vanguard

At Vanguard, we don't just have a mission-we're on a mission.

To work for the long-term financial wellbeing of our clients. To lead through product and services that transform our clients' lives. To learn and develop our skills as individuals and as a team. From Malvern to Melbourne, our mission drives us forward and inspires us to be our best.

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.