Machine Learning Engineer

About The Company
Vanguard is a globally recognized leader in the financial services industry, committed to providing innovative investment solutions and exceptional client service. With a longstanding reputation for integrity, transparency, and client-centricity, Vanguard strives to empower individuals and institutions to achieve their financial goals. The company fosters a culture of continuous learning, collaboration, and technological advancement, ensuring it remains at the forefront of industry developments. Vanguard’s mission is to serve the long-term financial wellbeing of its clients by delivering high-quality products and services that transform lives and create lasting value.
About The Role
Vanguard is seeking a highly skilled and strategic Lead Machine Learning Engineer to join its innovative team dedicated to advancing AI/ML solutions within the Financial Advisory Services (FAS) business. This leadership role involves guiding a team of talented Machine Learning Engineers in designing, developing, deploying, and scaling AI-driven applications that support Vanguard’s core financial objectives. The ideal candidate will partner closely with cross-functional teams including Product, Data Science, Architecture, and Technology to deliver production-grade AI capabilities that emphasize scalability, reliability, governance, and operational excellence. This role requires a visionary leader capable of managing end-to-end solution delivery—from architecture planning and development to deployment, monitoring, and ongoing improvement—ensuring that AI solutions align with strategic business goals and adhere to enterprise standards.
Qualifications
The ideal candidate will possess an undergraduate degree or equivalent experience, with a preference for candidates holding a graduate degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Engineering, or related fields. A minimum of eight years of relevant work experience in AI/ML development, leadership, and solution architecture is required. Proven expertise in building scalable AI systems, managing cross-functional teams, and implementing best practices in machine learning and data engineering is essential. Strong communication skills, strategic thinking, and the ability to translate complex technical concepts into actionable business solutions are critical for success in this role.
Responsibilities
Provide leadership in hiring, coaching, talent development, performance management, and compensation decisions, fostering a high-performing team aligned with Vanguard’s values and HR policies.
Partner with Enterprise, Solution, and Domain Architects to define comprehensive AI/ML solution architectures and translate strategic initiatives into executable roadmaps, epics, and engineering workstreams.
Lead cross-functional delivery efforts across Product, Data Science, Platform, and Engineering teams, ensuring solutions are developed from concept to production while maintaining alignment with business objectives and enterprise standards.
Establish and promote engineering best practices, reusable frameworks, and platform capabilities to enhance scalability, consistency, and delivery efficiency across AI/ML initiatives.
Oversee the design, implementation, and continuous evolution of data, feature, and model pipelines to support reliable and scalable AI/ML solutions.
Apply expertise in machine learning, statistics, optimization, and experimentation methodologies to operationalize predictive and decision-support capabilities effectively.
Evaluate data quality, feature readiness, and model inputs in collaboration with Data Science teams to ensure successful model development and deployment.
Drive operational excellence through automation, observability, monitoring, incident management, and continuous improvement practices for production AI/ML systems.
Ensure compliance with enterprise governance, security, risk, and model lifecycle management policies, maintaining high standards of data and model integrity.
Engage with business and technology stakeholders to understand objectives, assess opportunities, and translate complex requirements into effective technical solutions.
Support departmental planning, prioritization, and execution of strategic objectives, balancing delivery commitments with operational needs and organizational goals.
Establish scalable operating models, support processes, and service standards to ensure the long-term sustainability of AI/ML products and platforms.
Communicate technical strategies, solution recommendations, progress updates, and business impact reports to senior leadership and key stakeholders.
Participate in special projects and assume additional duties as assigned to support Vanguard’s strategic initiatives and technological advancements.
Benefits
Vanguard offers a comprehensive benefits package aimed at supporting the well-being and professional growth of its employees. This includes competitive salary packages, health and dental insurance, retirement plans, and wellness programs. Employees have access to ongoing training and development opportunities, fostering continuous learning and career advancement. The company promotes a flexible work environment through its hybrid working model, enabling employees to balance work and personal life effectively. Additionally, Vanguard provides a collaborative and inclusive workplace culture that values diversity, innovation, and shared success.
Equal Opportunity
Vanguard is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering an inclusive environment for all employees. The company values diversity and is dedicated to providing equal employment opportunities regardless of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, disability, or veteran status. Vanguard believes that a diverse workforce enhances innovation, creativity, and overall organizational success. All employment decisions are made based on merit, qualifications, and business needs.

Work arrangement
Yes