Quantitative Java Engineer, Associate

About this role 

Are you interested in building innovative technology that shapes financial markets? Do you like working at the speed of a startup but want to tackle some of the world’s most complex problems? Do you want to work with, and learn from, hands-on leaders in technology and finance? 

BlackRock is one of the world’s preeminent asset management firms and a premier provider of global investment management, risk management and advisory services to institutional, intermediary, and individual investors around the world. BlackRock’s mission is to create a better financial future for our clients. We have a responsibility to be the voice of the investor, and we represent each client fairly and equally. Constant communication with a diverse team of partners strengthens us and delivers better results for our clients. Continuous innovation helps us bring the best of BlackRock to our clients. BlackRock offers a range of solutions — from rigorous fundamental and quantitative active management approaches aimed at maximizing outperformance to highly efficient indexing strategies designed to gain broad exposure to the world’s capital markets. Our clients can access our investment solutions through a variety of product structures, including individual and institutional separate accounts, mutual funds and other pooled investment vehicles, and the industry-leading iShares® ETFs. 

Job Purpose/Background: 
 
The Aladdin Quant Engineering (QAE) is responsible for the research and development of financial models underpinning the risk management analytics produced at BlackRock. The group also contributes to the development of infrastructure and applications responsible to produce analytics and the delivery of analytic content to risk management professionals. If any of this excites you, we are looking to expand our team. We are rebuilding our Analytics and Modeling Technology platform using multiple technologies (Java, Python), and this is the best time to join the team if you want to influence software design, architecture, fundamental platform solutions, and transform the way we deliver Analytics to our clients! 

QAE is looking for self-starter Java developer who can work out of New York BlackRock office with other quant and application developers in the team. 

Role Responsibilities 

• As a Java Developer, you will be a key member of the Quant Technology team in New York, mostly responsible for the design and enhancement of our Attribution analytical models. You will work closely with the Core Aladdin Developer Platform team, acting as a point of contact for promoting the seamless collaboration. 

• Improve Engineering culture by being responsible for the governance and modernization of the QAE Toolbox, which is a fundamental platform for several applications. Leading by example in developing the QAE Toolbox you would be an advocate of appropriate developer culture. 

• Proactive participant in architectural and design decisions  

• Facilitate design and code-review sessions to ensure software meets functional and compatibility requirements, as well as high quality standards. 

• Drive the integration and adaptation of new cloud solutions in QAE Toolbox. 

• Additional core engineering functions, such as: 

• Contributions to the application code base. 

• Build widely used and reliable fundamental components. 

• Anticipate new opportunities to continuously evolve the resiliency profile of scoped Applications and Architectures.  

Skills/Qualifications 

• B.S. / M.S. degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related discipline. 

• Minimum 2+ years of experience in Java-based software development and design 

• Solid knowledge of designing massively scalable micro-service architectures, application operation and maintenance 

• Strong developer background 

• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and debugging skills 

• A passion for providing fundamental software solutions for highly available, performant full stack applications with a “Student of Technology” attitude 

• Experience with software testing and ambition for providing high quality products  

• Passion to work in a team-environment, multitasking, and effective communication skills 

• Knowledge of software development methodologies (analysis, design, development, testing) and basic understanding of Agile / Scrum methodology and practices 

• Good hands-on object-oriented programming experience in Java, including proficiency in object-oriented principles and design patterns. 

• Ability and willingness to learn fast, multi-task, self-motivate and pick up new things easily. 

• Ability to work independently and efficiently in a fast-paced and team-oriented environment. 

• Demonstrated ability to build positive relationships. 

Good to Have 

• Understanding of Agile work environments 

• Nice to have but not required: experience with numerical libraries, distributed systems, high performance computing, Microsoft Azure is a big plus. 

• Nice to have but not required: knowledge of investment management process, portfolio performance analytics, P&L, attribution.