Application Engineer - III
Join a bold and forward-thinking security engineering team where protecting customers and digital experiences is mission critical. Our work sits at the heart of modern application security, building and evolving systems that safeguard sensitive information and ensure trusted access at scale. Whether you're deepening your technical expertise or expanding your leadership impact, this role offers space to learn, experiment, and shape how things are built.
As part of this team, you'll help design and deliver secure authentication and verification capabilities that support high-volume, customer-facing applications. Your work will enable seamless, reliable experiences while upholding the highest standards of security and privacy. From strengthening identity verification to enhancing access controls, you'll play a key role in defending systems that are relied on every day.
We're looking for a passionate Application Engineer - III - who thrives on solving complex problems and enjoys working across the entire technology stack. You'll collaborate closely with engineers, product partners, and security experts to build resilient, scalable solutions that balance usability with strong protection. If you're energized by innovation, ownership, and meaningful impact, this is your opportunity to help shape the future of application security.
Responsibilities:
- Real world impact, not hypothetical scale - You'll build and evolve security critical platforms that protect real customers and real data. The work you do directly improves trust, safety, and reliability at scale.
- Security without sacrificing user experience - You'll help prove that strong security and exceptional UX can coexist, designing solutions that are both robust and intuitive.
- Challenging problems with meaningful ownership - This role isn't about incremental tweaks, you'll tackle complex engineering problems end-to-end, influence technical direction, and see your solutions shipped and used.
- Enterprise-grade delivery and governance ownership - Own enterprise-grade delivery and governance end-to-end, encompassing full SDLC execution (release management, environment promotion, change control, and post-production support) while ensuring all solutions comply with established IT, Information Security, and regulatory standards through audit-ready documentation and controls.
- Rigorous systems analysis and architectural excellence - Drive rigorous systems analysis and architectural excellence by partnering with internal business stakeholders to translate complex business needs into scalable technical solutions, and by applying and championing development architecture standards through structured design, code, and test reviews.
- Modern engineering with room to innovate - You'll work across frontend, backend, and cloud technologies using modern tooling, automation, and AI-assisted development tools (e.g., GitHub Copilot, Claude Code) to accelerate delivery, improve code quality, reduce repetitive work, and unlock higher-impact, creative problem solving. We value engineers who are curious, adaptable, and eager to explore new ways of working.
- Enterprise platform integration and interoperability - Design and operate integrated enterprise platforms, including third-party and cross-system integrations, maintaining a holistic understanding of how applications, services, and technologies interact across business domains to ensure reliability, consistency, and long-term maintainability.
- A team that's invested in mission and growth - You'll collaborate with experienced, engaged engineers who care deeply about quality, learning, and doing the right thing-technically and ethically.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor's or master's degree in computer science or a related discipline, with a strong foundation in core computer science principles such as algorithms, data structures, design patterns, databases, and clean coding practices.
- Minimum of 6 years of professional experience in software development, with a strong track record of designing and building large-scale, cloud-based, full-stack web applications and microservices leveraging AWS cloud services and modern technologies including JavaScript/TypeScript, Angular, Node.js, Java, and Spring Boot, with hands-on experience developing REST and GraphQL APIs, implementing accessibility best practices, enabling observability and monitoring (e.g., Splunk, Honeycomb, OpenTelemetry), and applying robust testing frameworks such as JUnit and Jest.
- Strong emphasis on application security, including secure coding practices, threat mitigation, and building resilient, security first systems.
- Strategic, outcomes-oriented engineer with strong judgment to evaluate and articulate trade-offs, improve system performance, scalability, security, reliability, and maintainability, and independently drive informed decisions through critical problem-solving, issue triaging, and cross-team collaboration.
- Demonstrated ownership and accountability with a proactive learning mindset, strong communication and interpersonal skills, ability to mentor junior engineers on the team, and proven effectiveness thriving in fast-paced, distributed, team-oriented environments while managing multiple priorities and deadlines.
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Nice to have:
- Contact center domain knowledge, including familiarity with customer service workflows, integrations, and supporting operational systems.
- Hands-on experience with React, including the design and development of Micro Frontends (MFEs) using modern, scalable MFE architectures.
- Experience with Module Federation, enabling independently deployable, loosely coupled frontend modules and efficient integration across distributed UI applications.
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.
Perks and Benefits
Health and Wellness
- FSA
- HSA
- Health Reimbursement Account
- Fitness Subsidies
- On-Site Gym
- HSA With Employer Contribution
- Health Insurance
- Dental Insurance
- Vision Insurance
- Life Insurance
- Short-Term Disability
- Long-Term Disability
- Mental Health Benefits
- Virtual Fitness Classes
- Pet Insurance
Parental Benefits
- Non-Birth Parent or Paternity Leave
- Birth Parent or Maternity Leave
- Fertility Benefits
- Adoption Assistance Program
- Family Support Resources
- Adoption Leave
Work Flexibility
- Flexible Work Hours
- Hybrid Work Opportunities
Office Life and Perks
- Company Outings
- Commuter Benefits Program
- Casual Dress
- Happy Hours
- Snacks
- Some Meals Provided
- On-Site Cafeteria
Vacation and Time Off
- Personal/Sick Days
- Paid Holidays
- Paid Vacation
- Volunteer Time Off
- Leave of Absence
Financial and Retirement
- Relocation Assistance
- Performance Bonus
- 401(K) With Company Matching
- 401(K)
- Financial Counseling
- Profit Sharing
Professional Development
- Promote From Within
- Mentor Program
- Shadowing Opportunities
- Access to Online Courses
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Internship Program
- Lunch and Learns
- Leadership Training Program
Diversity and Inclusion
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Program
- Employee Resource Groups (ERG)
Company Videos
Hear directly from employees about what it is like to work at Vanguard.