Application Engineer, Associate

About this roleYou will be working on BlackRock’s investment operating system, Aladdin.Aladdin is used both internally within BlackRock and externally by many financial institutions. It combines sophisticated risk analytics with comprehensive portfolio management, trading, and operations tools on a single platform. Aladdin supports informed decision‑making and connects thousands of users investing worldwide.Our development teams sit within the Aladdin Engineering group. Together, we build technology that changes how information, people, and technology come together for global investment firms. We build and deliver tools that manage trillions of dollars in assets and support millions of financial instruments. Every day, we perform risk calculations and process millions of transactions for thousands of users globally.What It Means to Be Part of Aladdin EngineeringAs a member of Aladdin Engineering, you will be:Tenacious – Comfortable working in a fast‑paced and complex environmentA creative thinker – Able to evaluate solutions and apply technology in flexible waysA great teammate – Collaborative, thoughtful, and able to communicate effectivelyA fast learner – Eager to learn new concepts and apply them quicklyKey ResponsibilitiesCollaborate with team members in a multi‑office, multi‑country environmentBuild and support efficient, reliable, and scalable software and technology systemsContribute to the development of Aladdin’s global, multi‑asset trading platformDesign and develop solutions to technical problems, helping identify issues and remove roadblocksApply sound software engineering practices across all phases of developmentContribute ideas to improve team productivity and efficiencySupport an inclusive team culture through collaboration, recruiting support, and employee engagementQualificationsB.S. or M.S. degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field4+ years of relevant professional experienceRequired Skills & ExperienceStrong foundation in core Java, including object‑oriented principles and design patternsExperience building high‑quality software using design‑focused and test‑driven approachesHands‑on experience with Java, Spring Framework, and Spring BootHands‑on experience with modern front‑end frameworks such as React, Vue.js, or AngularSolid understanding of concurrent programming and experience building scalable, distributed systemsPrior experience working with message brokersStrong understanding of relational databasesExperience using engineering tools such as Git, Maven, unit testing, integration testing, and mocking frameworksStrong analytical and software design skills, with a focus on writing well‑tested codeExcellent problem‑solving, analytical, and communication skillsInterest in finance and investment processes, or the ability to translate business problems into technical solutionsExperience contributing to development projects and supporting application or system design qualityAbility to build positive relationships with partner teams, sponsors, and user groupsNice to Have / Opportunities to LearnExperience with scripting languages such as Python or GolangExposure to distributed systems using SQL and/or NoSQL technologies (e.g., MS SQL, Sybase, in‑memory data stores)Exposure to cloud‑native design patterns and event‑driven microservices architecturesExperience with high‑scale distributed technologies (e.g., real‑time event streaming platforms, MongoDB, Ignite)Experience building microservices and APIs (REST, gRPC, or event‑driven platforms)Experience working in Agile development teams or contributing to open‑source projectsBackground in optimization, algorithms, or quantitative processesExperience with cloud platforms such as Microsoft Azure, AWS, or Google CloudExperience with cloud deployment technologies, containerization (OCI), orchestration, and Infrastructure as Code (IaC)Exposure to DevOps practices and tools such as Azure DevOpsExperience with AI‑related projects or working in an AI research environmentCertifications, degrees, or open‑source contributions demonstrating mastery of software engineering principlesOur benefitsTo help you stay energized, engaged and inspired, we offer a wide range of employee benefits including: retirement investment and tools designed to help you in building a sound financial future; access to education reimbursement; comprehensive resources to support your physical health and emotional well-being; family support programs; and Flexible Time Off (FTO) so you can relax, recharge and be there for the people you care about.Our hybrid work modelBlackRock’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.Guidance on AI use for candidatesAt BlackRock, AI has long been part of how we work – enhancing decision-making, improving operations, and helping us deliver better outcomes for clients. We encourage candidates to use AI thoughtfully to learn, prepare, and work more effectively; but during our interview process, we want to focus on getting to know you through your own experiences, thinking, and judgment. To support you, we’ve provided guidance on when and how to use AI during our hiring process so you can approach each step with confidence and showcase your best self.About BlackRockAt BlackRock, we are all connected by one mission: to help more and more people experience financial well-being.  Our c