About 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 contribute across backend APIs, cloud
infrastructure, and frontend experiences — with React as the preferred frontend framework
for new UI work. 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 full-stack
fundamentals, cloud experience, and a responsible, methodical engineering mindset.
What You’ll Do
• Build and evolve backend services that support login, MFA, and client authentication
• Design and implement REST APIs using NestJS / TypeScript
• Build frontend experiences using React where new UI development is required
• Integrate with identity and MFA platforms (e.g. Transmit Security, Auth0)
• Deploy and operate services on AWS, using Infrastructure as Code
• 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 We’re Looking For (Must-Have)
• Strong backend engineering fundamentals with Node.js and NestJS or Express
• TypeScript across frontend and backend
• Experience designing and building REST APIs
• Understanding of authentication protocols: OAuth 2.0, JWT, MFA flows
• Hands-on experience with AWS (ECS, Lambda, CloudFront, S3, Secrets Manager)
• Familiarity with Infrastructure as Code (CloudFormation or Terraform)
• Experience with containerised workloads (Docker)
• Strong Git practices and CI/CD experience (GitHub Actions or similar)
• Experience writing unit and integration tests (Jest)
Nice to Have
• React experience for frontend development — preferred for any new UI work
• Experience with identity, authentication, or MFA systems
• Familiarity with Kong API Gateway or similar
• Exposure to Aurora PostgreSQL or DynamoDB
• Knowledge of microservices architectures
• Exposure to security concepts (IAM, encryption, networking)
• Experience with observability tooling (OpenTelemetry, Honeycomb, Grafana)
• Experience in regulated or enterprise environments
Our Tech Stack
AWS • TypeScript • React • Node.js (NestJS) • REST APIs • Auth0 • Transmit Security •
Kong Gateway • GitHub • GitHub Actions • 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.
Skills Required
- Strong backend engineering fundamentals with Node.js and NestJS or Express
- TypeScript across frontend and backend
- Experience designing and building REST APIs
- Understanding of authentication protocols: OAuth 2.0, JWT, MFA flows
- Hands-on experience with AWS (ECS, Lambda, CloudFront, S3, Secrets Manager)
- Familiarity with Infrastructure as Code (CloudFormation or Terraform)
- Experience with containerised workloads (Docker)
- Strong Git practices and CI/CD experience (GitHub Actions or similar)
- Experience writing unit and integration tests (Jest)
Vanguard Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Vanguard and has not been reviewed or approved by Vanguard.
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Retirement Support — Retirement support appears unusually strong through a 401(k) design that includes a match plus an additional employer contribution, which can materially lift long-term total rewards. HSA seeding and an enhanced employer match further strengthen the savings-and-benefits value of the package.
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Wellbeing & Lifestyle Benefits — Wellbeing and lifestyle support is reinforced by a sizable annual FlexFund stipend that can be applied across many day-to-day categories such as fitness, childcare, and other personal expenses. On-site or virtual clinics and fitness options add practical health and wellness convenience.
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Affordable Benefits — Healthcare and related benefits are positioned as comparatively affordable via heavily subsidized medical plans and broad coverage options. This affordability can offset moderate base pay for employees who place higher value on out-of-pocket cost reductions.
Vanguard Insights
What We Do
We are a community of 30 million who think – and feel – differently about investing. Together, we’re changing the way the world invests. Since our founding in 1975, helping our investors achieve their goals is our sole reason for existence. With no other parties to answer to and therefore no conflicting loyalties, we make every decision—like keeping investing costs as low as possible—with only your needs in mind. Vanguard is one of the world's largest investment companies, offering a large selection of high-quality low-cost mutual funds, ETFs, advice, and related services. Individual and institutional investors, financial professionals, and plan sponsors can benefit from the size, stability, and experience Vanguard offers. As of April 30, 2019, we managed more than $5.6 trillion in global assets. In addition, we have 189 funds in the United States and 225 funds in global markets. For Commenting Guidelines & Important information, visit here: http://vanguard.com/linkedin Vanguard Marketing Corporation, Distributor.
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