Sr. Application Engineer (COBOL, Java)

Be part of one of the most significant technology transformations in Vanguard's history.

Join a highly visible modernization and the first of its kind transformation here at Vanguard.

This program will replace legacy platforms with cloud-based solutions, giving you the opportunity to work across diverse technology stacks, expand your expertise, and help shape the future of our business.  This is a unique opportunity to build both depth and breadth in your career while shaping the future of our technology ecosystem.

Core Responsibilities

• Provides expert level system analysis, design, development, and implementation of applications and databases. Integrates third party products. Ensures that expected application performance levels are achieved.

• Ensures the viability of IT deliverables. Recommends development options, including design, build/buy, and vendor purchase. Conducts testing, including functionality, technical limitations, and security.

• Elevates code into the development, test, and production environments on schedule. Provides follow-up production support. Submits change control requests and documents.

• Provides subject matter expertise in software development methodology and development architecture standards. Mentors and trains staff with less experience. Resolves elevated issues and recommends enterprise-wide improvements.

• Participates in design, code, and test inspections throughout the life cycle to identify issues. Explain technical considerations at related meetings, including those with internal clients. Performs systems analysis activities.

• Thoroughly understands client’s business functions and technology needs. Has a broad and deep understanding of Vanguard's technologies, tools, and applications, including those that interface with business area and systems. Is well versed on the latest technologies and tools supporting software development in the industry.

• Interfaces with cross functional team members and communicates systems issues at the appropriate technical level for each audience.

• Thoroughly understands and complies with Information Technology and Information Security policies and procedures and verifies that deliverables meet requirements.

Data Modernization & Integration

• Support data integrations between WT and enterprise platforms including Personal Wealth (PW) and GIFS.

• Support ETL solutions that integrate modernized data sources including Polaris, Custom Funds Database (CFDB), Morningstar, and other strategic platforms.

• Support synchronization and integration of Client Data and Investment Data into modern cloud and database platforms.

• Ensure functional equivalency and performance parity during modernization efforts

Application Modernization & Development

• Support the modernization of legacy WT applications through the conversion of COBOL programs, batch jobs, and stored procedures to strategic cloud-based solutions.

• Analyze existing legacy code and identify opportunities to improve performance, maintainability, scalability, and operational supportability.

• Support development activities related to modernized Java-based applications, services, and integration components.

• Collaborate with engineering teams to ensure successful migration from legacy mainframe technologies to modern cloud-based architectures.

Stored Procedure Performance Tuning & Optimization

• Lead and support the performance tuning, optimization, and validation of all in-scope stored procedures across the Code Conversion program, ensuring converted solutions meet established latency, throughput, scalability, and service-level objectives.

• Analyze, benchmark, and optimize stored procedures supporting distributed applications, batch processing, and online transactions.

• Establish performance baselines and validate that converted stored procedures meet defined latency, throughput, and SLA requirements.

• Partner with application, database, and infrastructure teams to diagnose and resolve end-to-end performance issues across application, data, and database layers.

• Support large-scale stored procedure performance testing, production-parallel validation, and SLA validation efforts.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of eight years related work experience, with at least two years of development experience.

• Undergraduate degree or equivalent combination of training and experience.

• Hands-on with COBOL and stored procedures, how it can be tuned and be able to perform analysis of performance.

• Data integration, code analysis and review experience to ensure data moves amongst business teams and remains in sync

• Support ETL solutions that integrate modernized data sources

Preferred Qualifications

• Workplace Technology stack experience is preferred

• AWS certifications are a nice to have

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.