Morgan Stanley

Senior Java Software Engineer - Vice President

Morgan Stanley$155K — $215K *
Finance & Insurance
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 10+ years of experience in software engineering
  • Proficient in Java, especially server-side and concurrent programming
  • Strong skills in message-based architectures like Kafka or IBM MQ
  • Solid RDBMS expertise, preferably in Sybase or DB2, with complex SQL skills
  • Unix/Linux scripting experience (Shell or Python)
  • Exceptional problem-solving abilities and a complete SDLC delivery history
  • Excellent communication skills to explain complexities to non-technical stakeholders

Responsibilities

  • Build and evolve a multi-threaded, real-time Java platform
  • Drive analysis, design, and architecture for cross-team initiatives
  • Engage with a diverse tech stack including RDBMS, MongoDB, and Kafka
  • Become a subject matter expert on a large sharded MongoDB cluster
  • Lead technical understanding of the core cashflow calculator
  • Enhance test automation and drive CI/CD practices
  • Participate in L3 support for complex incidents and problems
  • Utilize AI tools to improve the SDLC workflow

Benefits

  • Opportunities for growth in a global team environment
  • Real ownership of architectural and design decisions
  • Access to cutting-edge technology and tools
  • Engagement with the financial sector and real-world impact of tech solutions
  • Support for personal and professional development in a collaborative setting
Full Job Description

This is a Senior Software Engineering position at the Vice President level, which is part of the job family responsible for developing and maintaining software solutions that support business needs.

About the Role

We're hiring a senior hands on engineer for the Morgan Stanley Equity Swaps technology team — the platform behind a market-leading, global front-office business. You'll be working hands-on inside a large-scale, real-time, event-driven system that processes significant volume every day, alongside a team actively modernizing the platform rather than just maintaining it.

This isn't a role where seniority means stepping away from code. You'll be designing, architecting, and building core components yourself, while also shaping technical direction and mentoring less experienced engineers on the team. Expect real ownership: you'll be trusted to make architectural calls, not just implement someone else's spec.

What you'll do in the role:

  • Building and evolving a multi-threaded, Linux-based, real-time Java platform handling high-throughput event flows

  • Driving analysis, design, and architecture for complex, cross-team initiatives

  • Working with an interesting tech stack: RDBMS alongside technologies like MongoDB, Kafka, IBM MQ, Hazelcast, and Snowflake

  • Getting deeply hands-on with our large sharded MongoDB cluster, with the expectation of growing into one of the team's go-to subject matter expert on its design, performance, and operational behaviour

  • Becoming a technical expert on our core cashflow calculator — not just the code, but the underlying numbers, so you can reason confidently about whether outputs are actually correct, not just whether the system ran without error

  • Strengthening our test automation and deployment practices — we're steadily maturing toward greater CI/CD and are looking for engineers who want to help drive that evolution, rather than someone joining a fully-automated pipeline

  • Participating in L3 support for North America on a fair rotation — as a senior engineer, you'll be relied on to lead the hard incidents and ambiguous problems

  • Actively using AI tooling (Claude, Amp, Deep Search, and others) to accelerate the SDLC — we want engineers who are evolving their own workflow with AI while keeping strong technical judgment and oversight over what ships


What you'll bring to the role:

  • 10+ years of experience

  • Java, server-side, concurrent/multi-threaded programming, with Spring Boot (Core Spring) and JUnit

  • Solid understanding of message-based architectures (Kafka and/or IBM MQ)

  • Strong RDBMS skills — Sybase and/or DB2 preferred — with proficiency writing complex SQL

  • Unix/Linux scripting (Shell / Python)

  • Sharp problem-solving and analytical ability, with a track record of owning full SDLC delivery

  • Excellent written and verbal communication — you'll be expected to explain complex tradeoffs to non-technical stakeholders

  • Genuine interest in learning the business the platform supports, not just the tech

Desired Skills

  • Experience operating or tuning large-scale sharded MongoDB clusters

  • Comfort with financial calculations and a willingness to get into the weeds of numerical correctness, not just code correctness

  • Knowledge of the Equity Derivatives business

  • Experience integrating AI-assisted development tools into a real engineering workflow

Who thrives here:

  • Strong technical instincts and happy owning ambiguous, complex problems end-to-end

  • Someone who wants technical leadership without giving up hands-on coding

  • A collaborator who can push back constructively with demanding stakeholders and hold a clear technical position

  • Genuine curiosity about the Equity Derivatives business itself, not just the codebase

  • A "can-do," solutions-first attitude when architectural tradeoffs get contentious

Expected base pay rates for the role will be between $155,000 and $215,000 per year at the commencement of employment.  However, base pay if hired will be determined on an individualized basis and is only part of the total compensation package, which, depending on the position, may also include commission earnings, incentive compensation, discretionary bonuses, other short and long-term incentive packages, and other Morgan Stanley sponsored benefit programs.

About Morgan Stanley

Morgan Stanley Investment Management are active managers of capital, working to outperform the market and deliver results for their clients. Morgan Stanley Investment Management's long-tenured professionals apply their experience and expertise across public and private markets, in single-sector, multi-asset and custom solutions.

Morgan Stanley Careers

Joining Morgan Stanley today means becoming part of a global team dedicated to strengthening communities, pioneering innovation, and fostering diversity. As a leading global financial services firm, Morgan Stanley offers unparalleled job opportunities, career growth, and a culture of leadership that together create an exceptional employment experience. Work You’ll Do At Morgan Stanley, you will collaborate with knowledgeable professionals to drive innovation and deliver solutions in financial services. Our team is composed of diverse, talented individuals who bring their unique skills and perspectives to work every day, setting the standard for leadership in the global market. Morgan Stanley is not just a company; it's a place where ambitious, creative, and skilled individuals can build a rewarding career. Here, you can experience the benefits of a vibrant culture dedicated to professional growth and diversity training. Internship Programs Kickstart your career with Morgan Stanley’s internship programs. These positions offer invaluable industry insights and professional experience to students and recent graduates. Interns at Morgan Stanley gain hands-on experience, working alongside seasoned experts in a dynamic, supportive environment. Innovation and Professional Growth We believe in the power of innovation to solve complex problems and encourage our team to think differently and act boldly. Morgan Stanley supports your career development through comprehensive training, development programs, and leadership workshops, ensuring that every employee has the tools they need to succeed. Join Our Team Explore the various job opportunities at Morgan Stanley, from entry-level positions to executive roles. We are hiring individuals who are passionate about finance and eager to contribute to a team that values integrity, excellence, and a forward-thinking mindset. Enhance your skills through our networking events, mentorship opportunities, and ongoing professional development. Stay Connected Keep up to date with the latest from Morgan Stanley Careers by subscribing to our job alert emails. Tailor your preferences to receive updates about new postings, career tips, and exclusive insights from our team leaders. Apply Now Ready to take the next step in your career? Search open positions that match your skills and interests on the Morgan Stanley Jobs portal. Prepare your resume, refine your interview techniques, and join a company that values innovation and leadership. At Morgan Stanley, we’re not just building careers—we’re developing leaders. Discover how far your talents can take you by joining our team today.
Learn more about Morgan Stanley
Size
77,000 employees
Market Cap
$144.1 billion
Industry
Net Income
$10.9 billion
Founded
1935
5 Year Trend
+10%
Revenue
$52 billion
NASDAQ

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