Associate Applications Engineer Jobs in Philadelphia, PA

On the Crew Compliance Technology team, we create and maintain systems that help over 33,000 Crew Members at Vanguard complete their compliance obligations. We work in a modern engineering environment with AWS, Python, Node.js, Angular, SQL, APIs, CI/CD practices, automated testing, Confluence, JIRA, GitHub Enterprise, and AI-assisted development tools such as Claude Code.

Our modernization efforts are largely behind us, and we are ready to continue making a meaningful difference through new development, production support, and thoughtful system implementation. This position is intended for a proficient application engineer who is comfortable working in agile teams, learning the business domain, and contributing practical engineering ideas that improve team outcomes.

• Build, configure, test, deploy, and support application capabilities using established team patterns, secure coding practices, and Vanguard technology standards.
• Complete moderate to highly complex team assignments, including contributions to production support, issue resolution, enhancements, and small-to-medium implementation efforts.
• Collaborate with engineers, product owners, architects, and partner teams across the department to clarify requirements, restate desired business outcomes, and deliver practical solutions.
• Apply hands-on experience to troubleshoot immediate problems, research root causes, and resolve issues using established guidelines, runbooks, and team standards.
• Contribute to API-first integrations, data flows, automated testing, CI/CD pipelines, monitoring, and documentation for custom-built and vendor-supported applications.
• Take ownership of assigned work, communicate progress and risks clearly, and help the team meet commitments.
• Actively suggest improvements that strengthen quality, resiliency, performance, maintainability, or crew experience.
• Participate vocally in team discussions by asking good questions, sharing informed opinions and seeking feedback.
• Continue building technical, Vanguard, financial services, and compliance domain knowledge through hands-on work, learning, and relevant certifications.

• Proficiency in one or more application development languages or frameworks used by the team, such as Python, Node.js, Angular, SQL, or related technologies.
• Hands-on experience building, testing, supporting, or integrating applications in an agile engineering environment.
• Working knowledge of AWS services, APIs, CI/CD concepts, automated testing, Git/GitHub Enterprise, Confluence, and JIRA, or demonstrated ability to learn and apply these tools quickly.
• Ability to troubleshoot application issues, analyze logs or data, research root causes, and resolve problems using established team practices.
• Ability to collaborate across team and department boundaries, communicate technical considerations clearly, and seek feedback from managers, teammates, and stakeholders.
• Learning mindset with intellectual curiosity, willingness to pursue relevant education or certifications, and interest in staying current on technology trends.
• Ability to develop a Product Owner mindset by understanding, articulating, and restating desired business outcomes.
• Undergraduate degree or equivalent combination of training and experience.

• Experience with AWS, Python, Node.js, Angular, SQL, API integrations, or event/data-flow patterns.
• Experience supporting production applications, improving observability, or contributing to resilience and reliability efforts.
• AWS certification or progress toward an AWS certification, such as AWS Cloud Practitioner or Associate-level certification.
• Experience in financial services, compliance technology, regulatory technology, internal controls, or related business domains.
• Familiarity with AI-assisted software engineering tools and responsible use of those tools within enterprise engineering practices.

Special Factors

Sponsorship

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.