APAC Data Platforms - Tech Lead at Vanguard

Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

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Not SpecifiedCompensation

Senior (5 to 8 years), Expert & Leadership (9+ years)Experience Level

Full TimeJob Type

UnknownVisa

Investment Management, Financial ServicesIndustries

Requirements

Proven leadership in cloud-based data engineering teams, ideally in large-scale AWS environments
Expertise in Databricks and Spark (PySpark, SparkSQL), plus strong Python and SQL skills
Deep understanding of data modelling (dimensional modelling; Data Vault a plus)
Strong communicator who can translate technical concepts into business language
Experience managing priorities across multiple time zones and collaborating globally
Solid grasp of Git, CI/CD, and modern engineering practices (DevOps, DataOps, CloudOps)
Familiarity with ETL frameworks, data lakehouses, warehouses, and governance processes
Comfortable with ambiguity, proactive, and adaptable with strong learning agility
Nice to haves: Financial services or investment management experience
Nice to haves: Experience designing metadata-driven, incremental-load architectures on AWS
Nice to haves: Knowledge of SaaS platforms, CRM/ERP systems, and diverse data formats (APIs, JSON, RDBMS)
Nice to haves: Exposure to data visualisation tools (Tableau preferred)

Responsibilities

Own BAU operations for APAC data platforms, ensuring stability and driving continuous improvement
Support the design, build, and rollout of a metadata-driven, incrementally loading data lakehouse solution on AWS using Databricks—and eventually own it
Champion Databricks adoption, guiding architecture decisions, best practices, and migration pathways
Collaborate globally with teams in Australia, Europe, and the US to deliver accessible, high-quality data
Drive governance and quality through maintainable, well-documented, resilient code aligned with DataOps principles
Mentor and uplift engineering capability across the team
Partner with leadership to prioritise initiatives and deliver measurable business value
Provides expert level IT technical lead services, including the direction, evaluation, selection, configuration, implementation, and integration of new and existing technologies and tools

Skills

Key technologies and capabilities for this role

AWSDatabricksData LakehouseMetadata-drivenDataOpsPythonSparkETLData GovernanceMentoring

Questions & Answers

Common questions about this position

What is the work arrangement and location for this role?

This is a hybrid role requiring in-office presence on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, based in Melbourne, VIC.

What are the key skills required for this Tech Lead position?

The role requires proven leadership in cloud-based data engineering teams on AWS, expertise in Databricks and Spark (PySpark, SparkSQL), strong Python and SQL skills, deep understanding of data modelling, and experience with Git, CI/CD, and DataOps principles.

What does the Data Platforms team do at Vanguard?

The team is transforming how Australians invest by delivering timely, modelled, and AI-ready datasets that customers trust and understand, as part of Vanguard’s growing Technology division in Australia.

What salary or compensation is offered for this position?

This information is not specified in the job description.

What makes a strong candidate for this Tech Lead role?

Strong candidates have proven leadership in AWS data engineering, expertise in Databricks, Spark, Python, SQL, and data modelling, plus experience collaborating globally, managing priorities across time zones, and mentoring teams.

Vanguard

Client-owned investment management firm offering low-cost funds

About Vanguard

Vanguard provides financial services with a focus on investment management. The company offers a variety of products, including mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), individual retirement accounts (IRAs), and 401k rollovers, aimed at individual investors, financial advisors, and institutions. Vanguard's unique ownership structure means it is owned by its funds, which are in turn owned by the clients, allowing it to prioritize the needs of its investors over external shareholders. This model enables Vanguard to offer low-cost investment options, as it primarily earns revenue through management fees that are generally lower than industry standards. Additionally, Vanguard provides personalized investment advisory services, charging fees based on the assets managed. The company's goal is to help clients grow their wealth and achieve their financial objectives through effective investment strategies, while maintaining a competitive performance track record.

Kline Township, PennsylvaniaHeadquarters

1975Year Founded

SECONDARYCompany Stage

Fintech, Financial ServicesIndustries

10,001+Employees

Benefits

Best-in-class medical, dental & vision coverage

Onsite health clinic & fitness center

Health Smart Rewards program

Vanguard Retirement Savings Plan

Education Benefits

PTO

Family Planning Benefist

Parental leave

Personal development opportunities

Volunteer Time Off

Risks

Competition from AI-driven platforms like Writer challenges Vanguard's traditional advisory services.

Vanguard's stake in Steelcase exposes it to the volatile furniture market.

New active bond ETFs may struggle in a low-yield environment with increasing competition.

Differentiation

Vanguard is client-owned, aligning its interests with investors, unlike traditional firms.

The firm offers low-cost investment products, making it attractive to cost-conscious investors.

Vanguard's ownership structure allows it to focus on long-term investor value.

Upsides

Vanguard's new active bond ETFs offer diversified, low-cost fixed income options.

The acquisition of Steelcase shares diversifies Vanguard's portfolio into the furniture industry.

Launching the International Dividend Growth Fund appeals to investors seeking sustainable dividend growth.

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