Index Equity Technologist (Python), BlackRock Global Markets, Associate

About this role

Business Unit Overview:

BlackRock Global Markets and Index Investments (BGM) brings together BlackRock’s Index Investments, Cash Management, Global Trading, ETF Markets, Securities Lending, and Financing & Financial Resource Management businesses. Together, we provide clients with superior market access and index investment outcomes through:
• World class talent, operating at the intersection of investment insight, markets expertise, risk management and process design
• Technology at the heart of our processes, with in-business tech teams that create cutting-edge IP, providing an advantage in quality, scale, and risk control
• A focus on transforming markets, driving and advocating for more accessible, resilient, and transparent markets to deliver more choice and lower costs for investors

About our team:

BlackRock’s Index Equity (IE) team handles more than $7.5 trillion in global index equity assets across Global Developed Markets, Emerging Markets, Commodities and REITs. The group offers index equity investors one of the industry's broadest arrays of investment choices. Our clients include corporate pension plans, public pension plans, central banks, sovereign wealth funds and other institutional investors.

Job Purpose/Background:

The Index Equity Technology team within Index Equity is seeking to expand in order to improve business efficiency and scalability. This business-side role entails working with Portfolio Managers, other members of the Index Equity team and the BlackRock technology teams, in order to build a best-in-class index investment engine. The person filling this role will facilitate the development and maintenance of portfolio engineering algorithms for index investment processes. The person filling this role will act as a Quantitative Developer, partnering with Portfolio Managers and technologists to design, develop and enhance portfolio engineering algorithms that support index portfolio construction, optimisation, trading and risk management processes.

A successful candidate will be able to understand the index equity portfolio construction process and will be able to reliably build and deliver working code that serves the immediate need, is robust and extensible enough to evolve and support scale as our business grows.

Key Responsibilities:
• Implement an innovative platform, primarily in Python, for the development, deployment, maintenance and monitoring of portfolio engineering algorithms
• Maintain the Algo ecosystem with Python engineering principles to keep it aligned with changes.
• Enthusiastic and ready to learn and use cutting end tech like AI
• Apply quantitative analysis, statistical techniques and large-scale data processing to improve portfolio management workflows, investment outcomes and operational efficiency.
• Identify, and implement, opportunities for improvement of operational processes using data analytics
• Understand the BlackRock technology platform and integrate portfolio engineering algorithms into it
• Work with BlackRock technology teams that support IE, to ensure that they understand our requirements and build well-suited tools

Skills/Qualifications:
• 3+ years of relevant experience in Python programming/Algo engineering/Quantitative Development
• Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree or equivalent experience in computer science/engineering/quantitative field with strong computing skills
• Programming skills in Python (preferred) /Java with strong object-oriented skills
• Experience with SDLC including agile development methodologies, writing tests before code, version control and CI/CD tools
• Knowledge of Scientific Python stack, experience in dealing with large data sets and statistical processing
• Experience in applying mathematics and statistical techniques to tackle complex problems
• Experience working in investment management, trading or finance related fields is a plus
• Knowledge of equity risk models is a plus
• Excellent analytical, problem solving skills, attention to detail and an emphasis on precision
• Great teammate with high level of self-motivation and inquisitiveness
• Effective communication skills
• High degree of professional integrity, discretion and judgement

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 Employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to age, disability, family status, gender identity, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation and other protected attributes at law.