> Markdown version of [/jobs/ext/1639316-senior-software-engineer-identity-authentication](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/jobs/ext/1639316-senior-software-engineer-identity-authentication). Every page supports `.md` or `Accept: text/markdown`. Links point to the HTML versions so they work for humans too. Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md).

---

# Senior Software Engineer - Identity & Authentication

- **Company:** Vanguard
- **Location:** London, UK
- **Experience:** Expert
- **Salary:** £84,568.0
- **Contract:** Permanent contract
- **Skills:** JavaScript (Programming Language), Amazon Web Services, Amazon Cloudfront, Amazon S3, User Authentication, Authentication Protocols, Automation of Tests, Cloud Computing, Code Coverage, Continuous Integration, Amazon DynamoDB, Github, Design of User Interfaces, Identity and Access Management, PostgreSQL, Node.Js, OAuth, TypeScript, Datadog, ReactJS, Grafana, Backend, Git, Cloudformation, Database Migration, Integration Tests, Front End Software Development, Functional Programming, Api Gateway, NestJS, Restful APIs, Terraform, Docker, Web Api, Microservices
- **Published:** July 16, 2026
- **Apply:** https://www.adzuna.co.uk/jobs/details/5802389107

## About the Role

* Strong backend engineering fundamentals with Node.js and NestJS or Express
 * TypeScript across frontend and backend
 * Experience designing and building REST APIs
 * Understanding of authentication protocols: OAuth 2.0, JWT, MFA flows
 * Hands-on experience with AWS (ECS, Lambda, CloudFront, S3, Secrets Manager)
 * Familiarity with Infrastructure as Code (CloudFormation or Terraform)
 * Experience with containerised workloads (Docker)
 * Strong Git practices and CI/CD experience (GitHub Actions or similar)
 * Experience writing unit and integration tests (Jest)
Nice to Have

 * React experience for frontend development - preferred for any new UI work
 * Experience with identity, authentication, or MFA systems
 * Familiarity with Kong API Gateway or similar
 * Exposure to Aurora PostgreSQL or DynamoDB
 * Knowledge of microservices architectures
 * Exposure to security concepts (IAM, encryption, networking)
 * Experience with observability tooling (OpenTelemetry, Honeycomb, Grafana)
 * Experience in regulated or enterprise environments
Our Tech Stack
AWS * TypeScript * React * Node.js (NestJS) * REST APIs * Auth0 * Transmit Security *
Kong Gateway * GitHub * GitHub Actions * CloudFormation

## Description

In the European Client Identity team, we are building and operating Vanguard's authentication
and MFA platform used by hundreds of thousands of clients across the UK and Europe.
This is a hands-on senior full-stack role focused on designing, building, deploying, and
operating cloud-based identity services. You will contribute across backend APIs, cloud
infrastructure, and frontend experiences - with React as the preferred frontend framework
for new UI work. You will work in a highly regulated environment where security, reliability, and
operational discipline matter.
You don't need to be an identity expert on day one - but you do need strong full-stack
fundamentals, cloud experience, and a responsible, methodical engineering mindset.
What You'll Do

 * Build and evolve backend services that support login, MFA, and client authentication
 * Design and implement REST APIs using NestJS / TypeScript
 * Build frontend experiences using React where new UI development is required
 * Integrate with identity and MFA platforms (e.g. Transmit Security, Auth0)
 * Deploy and operate services on AWS, using Infrastructure as Code
 * Run and maintain services in production, including:
 * Database migrations and updates
 * Manage vendor-specific software services running in AWS
 * Write automated tests and contribute to improving test coverage and quality
 * Participate in CI/CD pipelines, deployments, and operational procedures
 * Work closely with product and security stakeholders to translate requirements into
technical solutions

 * Continuously improve engineering standards, tooling, and reliability


## Related Videos

- [How a Small Team Shrank a Microsoft Monorepo by 94%](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1236-how-a-small-team-shrank-a-microsoft-monorepo-by-94)
- [Keeping applications secure by evolving OAuth 2.0 and OpenID Connect](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100152-keeping-applications-secure-by-evolving-oauth-2-0-and-openid-connect)
- [Docker Compose: Rediscovered](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1978-docker-compose-rediscovered)
- [Build and Deploy a Fullstack App with Open Source Tooling](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/775-build-and-deploy-a-fullstack-app-with-open-source-tooling)
- [Git for Code Reviews](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/429-git-for-code-reviews)
- [Navigating the Corporate Jungle: Life as a Developer in a large Company](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/621-navigating-the-corporate-jungle-life-as-a-developer-in-a-large-company)

## Related Articles

- [Highest Paying Tech Companies for Developers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/220-highest-paying-tech-companies-for-developers)
- [Dev Digest 121 - AI goes offline](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/456-dev-digest-121-ai-goes-offline)
- [Frontend Developer Salary in The UK](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/233-frontend-developer-salary-in-the-uk)
- [React Developer Salary [2023]](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/198-react-developer-salary-2023)
- [Dev Digest 120 - Apple and peers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/455-dev-digest-120-apple-and-peers)
- [Fully Remote Software Engineer Jobs](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/447-fully-remote-software-engineer-jobs)