Application Engineer, Aladdin Data, Director

About this role

About Aladdin Data and the Next Generation Security Master Platform 

Data drives Aladdin’s differentiation, with the Aladdin Data (AD) organization managing BlackRock's data ecosystem. AD operates the Aladdin Enterprise Data Platform (EDP), which is the foundational framework that delivers high-quality, consistent data throughout the organization. 

Security Master, a business domain within AD, manages the lifecycle of all tradable instruments (securities), including stocks, bonds, digital assets, private assets and many more. To address emerging business opportunities, we are launching a multi-year initiative to build the Next Generation Security Master platform, fundamentally transforming how instrument data is managed and distributed across Aladdin. The new platform will provide managed and self-service capabilities, creating new commercial opportunities. 

Key features include: 

• Sophisticated GUIs for both managed and self-service instrument maintenance workflows  

• Robust backend services and APIs for platform application integration  

• Advanced database and architecture design using cloud-native infrastructure for scalability 

Success requires hands-on experience building scalable, resilient solutions in regulated environments. Ideal candidates have delivered complex, stable enterprise platforms that empower teams and follow architectural best practices. 

This is a unique chance to influence the future of data infrastructure at one of the world’s leading investment platforms, tackling challenges in instrument data management, identifier strategy, and global governance. 

Role Description: 

As Director of Engineering working on Aladdin’s Next Generation Security Master platform, you will be responsible for leading a team to design, build, and scale the infrastructure, services and APIs that underpin our platform. 

As part of your day-to-day work, you’ll work closely with product managers, program managers, trading desks, data integrity teams, data modelling experts, and even external clients. You should be familiar with ‘agile’ software development and be comfortable building roadmaps and breaking work into sprints. 

Success in this position requires a mix of technical leadership, people leadership, strategic insight, and a genuine interest in ‘going down the rabbit hole’ to become an expert in how financial instruments work. 

You must have experience delivering scalable and resilient software systems, ideally for external clients in a similarly complex, regulated environment. It also helps if you have direct experience in the financial industry. 

An ideal candidate would have 
• BA/BS in Computer Science or equivalent practical experience 
• Expert level skills with 10+ years of experience on a range of languages and platforms (Java, Python, C++, Golang) 
• Experience building scalable, distributed systems in enterprise environments. 
• Demonstrated ability in technical architecture, developing technical design, documentation standards, technology selection frameworks etc. 
• Broad awareness of the technical landscape with specific knowledge of modern data platforms and cloud native infrastructure. 
• Ability to mentor and educate engineers and operational teams as well as product and program managers on our technical architecture.   
• Strong opinions on building scalable, testable web applications with a focus on repeatability and code quality. 
• Excellent communication skills with experience working directly with clients and managing senior stakeholders. 
• Understanding of relational databases is a must
• Expertise in building distributed applications using NOSQL technologies like Distributed highly available NoSQL data store, coordination services like Zookeeper.
• Experience in message-oriented middleware architecture is required.
• Strong analytical and software architecture design skills with an emphasis on test driven development.
• Experience in using Project Management methodologies such as Agile/Scrum
• Exposure to building microservices and APIs ideally with REST, Kafka or gRPC.
• Good hands-on object-oriented programming knowledge in Java, Spring, Microservices.
• Strong knowledge of Open-Source technology stack (Spring, Hibernate, Maven, JUnit, etc.)
• Experience with monitoring tools (Prometheus, Grafana). 

Our benefits

To help you stay energized, engaged and inspired, we offer a wide range of benefits including a strong retirement plan, tuition reimbursement, comprehensive healthcare, support for working parents and Flexible Time Off (FTO) so you can relax, recharge and be there for the people you care about.

Our hybrid work model

BlackRock’s hybrid work model is designed to enable a culture of collaboration and apprenticeship that enriches the experience of our employees, while supporting flexibility for all. Employees are currently required to work at least 4 days in the office per week, with the flexibility to work from home 1 day a week. Some business groups may require more time in the office due to their roles and responsibilities. We remain focused on increasing the impactful moments that arise when we work together in person – aligned with our commitment to performance and innovation. As a new joiner, you can count on this hybrid model to accelerate your learning and onboarding experience here at BlackRock.

About BlackRock

At BlackRock, we are all connected by one mission: to help more and more people experience financial well-being.  Our clients, and the people they serve, are saving for retirement, paying for their children’s educations, buying homes and starting businesses. Their investments also help to strengthen the global economy: support businesses small and large; finance infrastructure projects that connect and power cities; and facilitate innovations that drive progress.

This mission would not be possible without our smartest investment – the one we make in our employees. It’s why we’re dedicated to creating an environment where our colleagues feel welcomed, valued and supported with networks, benefits and development opportunities to help them thrive.

For additional information on BlackRock, please visit @blackrock | Twitter: @blackrock | LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/blackrock

BlackRock is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.  We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to age, disability, family status, gender identity, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation and other protected attributes at law.