Job Description
About this role
Associate Engineer – BlackRock SMA Solutions
About BlackRock SMA Solutions:
At BlackRock SMA Solutions, our strategies are designed to put our clients’ and their clients’ interests at the center of our investment advice; to minimize costs and taxes; and to incorporate each client’s unique values-aligned preferences into their investment portfolio. We are a purposefully growing quantitative, multi-asset investment management business specializing in managing customized portfolios tax efficiently.
Technology is central to the success of the SMA business: on a daily basis our technology platform loads portfolio data; we raise and execute orders on our clients’ behalf; we gather security, index, and other essential reference data; we produce rich analytics to highlight risks; and we enable a strong investment research capability.
We are looking for talented and passionate engineers who like to innovate and seek complex problems. We recognize that strength comes from teams with a variety of perspectives, and will embrace your unique skills, curiosity, drive, and passion while giving you the opportunity to grow technically and as an individual. We are committed to open source and we regularly give our work back to the community. Engineers looking to work in the areas of orchestration, data modeling, data pipelines, APIs, storage, distribution, distributed computation, consumption and infrastructure are ideal candidates.
About this Role:
We are expanding our team of engineers that owns and operates this extensive technology platform. As a member of this team, you will build, enhance, and support a wide variety of micro-services that enable financial portfolio construction, data integrations to connect diverse systems, and real-time operational workflows. You will work with your team and your stakeholders to ensure that platform capabilities address business needs in a complete and timely manner, with validated quality.
Requirements:
BA/BS in Computer Science or equivalent practical experience
At least 5+ years of experience as an engineer with large scale systems, preferably in an investment management or trading environment
Solid knowledge of programming fundamentals—algorithms, data structures, design patterns, and paradigms
Strong knowledge of one or more modern object-oriented languages (Python, Java, Go, etc.)
Solid knowledge of SQL and relationship databases (SQL Server, PostgreSQL, Sybase, etc.)
Knowledge of API design approaches (RESTful, GraphQL, gRPC)
Ability to troubleshoot problems in a live environment and provide real time help with critical issues
Write code that is easily understood and maintainable by other team members
Keep up to date with developments in technologies we are using
Ability to communicate and work effectively, supporting various business departments
Ability to work in fast-paced interdisciplinary environment
Desired additional qualifications:
Experience working in a cloud environment (AWS, Azure, GCP)
Experience integration with CRM platforms such as Salesforce, MS Dynamics
Familiarity with RabbitMQ, AWS SQS or other messaging technologies
Familiarity with other structured storage or NoSQL solutions (Cassandra, DynamoDB, etc.)
Background in statistical and / or financial analysis

For Chicago, IL Only the salary range for this position is USD$120,000.00 - USD$148,000.00 . Additionally, employees are eligible for an annual discretionary bonus, and benefits including healthcare, leave benefits, and retirement benefits. BlackRock operates a pay-for-performance compensation philosophy and your total compensation may vary based on role, location, and firm, department and individual performance.

Our benefits
To help you stay energized, engaged and inspired, we offer a wide range of benefits including a strong retirement plan, tuition reimbursement, comprehensive healthcare, support for working parents and Flexible Time Off (FTO) so you can relax, recharge and be there for the people you care about.
Our hybrid work model
BlackRock’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 candidates
At 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 BlackRock
At BlackRock, we are all connected by one mission: to help more and more people experience financial well-being. Our clients, and the people they serve, are saving for retirement, paying for their children’s educations, buying homes and starting businesses. Their investments also help to strengthen the global economy: support businesses small and large; finance infrastructure projects that connect and power cities; and facilitate innovations that drive progress.
This mission would not be possible without our smartest investment – the one we make in our employees. It’s why we’re dedicated to creating an environment where our colleagues feel welcomed, valued and supported with networks, benefits and development opportunities to help them thrive.
To learn more about BlackRock, please visit Careers.BlackRock.com. We also encourage you to get to know us on LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube, X, and TikTok.
BlackRock is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. We are committed to equal employment opportunity to all applicants and existing employees, and we evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, creed, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity/expression), sexual orientation, age, ancestry, physical or mental disability, marital status, political affiliation, religion, citizenship status, genetic information, veteran status, or any other basis protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. View the EEOC’s Know Your Rights poster and its supplement and the pay transparency statement.
BlackRock is committed to full inclusion of all qualified individuals and to providing reasonable accommodations or job modifications for individuals with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation/adjustments are needed throughout the employment process, please email Disability.Assistance@blackrock.com. All requests are treated in line with our privacy policy.
BlackRock will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records in a manner consistent with the requirements of the law, including any applicable fair chance law.