Security Modeling, Associate

About this role

BlackRock is one of the world’s preeminent asset management firms and a premier provider of global investment management, risk management and advisory services to institutional, intermediary, and individual investors around the world. BlackRock’s mission is to create a better financial future for our clients. We have a responsibility to be the voice of the investor, and we represent each client fairly and equally. Constant communication with a diverse team of partners strengthens us and delivers better results for our clients. Continuous innovation helps us bring the best of BlackRock to our clients. BlackRock offers a range of solutions — from rigorous fundamental and quantitative active management approaches aimed at maximizing outperformance to highly efficient indexing strategies designed to gain broad exposure to the world’s capital markets. Our clients can access our investment solutions through a variety of product structures, including individual and institutional separate accounts, mutual funds and other pooled investment vehicles, and the industry-leading iShares® ETFs.

About Aladdin Financial Engineering (AFE):

Join a diverse and collaborative team of over 300 modelers and technologists in Aladdin Financial Engineering (AFE), the business responsible for the research and development of Aladdin’s financial models. This group is also accountable for analytics production, enhancing the infrastructure platform and delivering analytics content to portfolio and risk management professionals (both within BlackRock and across the Aladdin client community). The models developed and supported by AFE span a wide array of financial products covering equities, fixed income, commodities, derivatives, and private markets. AFE provides investment insights that range from an analysis of cash flows on a single bond, to the overall financial risk associated with an entire portfolio, balance sheet, or enterprise.

Role Description:

We are seeking a highly motivated Associate to join the Credit Modeling Team within AFE Single Security. This role is ideal for someone with a strong foundation in quantitative research, econometrics, and a passion for solving complex problems through innovation and collaboration.

As part of our team, you will contribute to the development of next-generation financial models that directly support trading and portfolio management decisions. These models are built using cutting-edge techniques in data science, machine learning, and statistical modeling, and are deployed on scalable platforms using technologies.

What You’ll Do

• Conduct rigorous research to design and enhance credit models with real-world impact.

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver scalable, production-ready solutions.

• Leverage advanced analytics and machine learning to drive model innovation.

• Contribute to a culture of continuous learning and intellectual curiosity.

What We’re Looking For

• Strong academic background in quantitative disciplines (e.g., Economics, Statistics, Applied Mathematics).

• Proficiency in programming and data tools (Python, R, GCP).

• Demonstrated ability to think critically, solve problems, and communicate insights effectively.

• A growth mindset and eagerness to contribute to a dynamic, research-driven environment.

Model Research and Development

• Develop, maintain, and enhance BlackRock’s credit modeling suite, which includes models for Probability of Default, Recovery, and Ratings Migration for corporate bonds, municipal bonds, and private credit.

• Stay current with academic research, industry trends, and emerging modeling techniques in credit risk, across public and private markets.

• Manage the end-to-end lifecycle of credit risk models, including development, validation, implementation, and monitoring.

• Apply advanced statistical, machine learning, and quantitative techniques to model credit risk.

• Perform thorough model validation and back-testing to ensure robustness and stability.

• Implement the models in Python in BlackRock’s Aladdin platform.

• Proactively suggest improvements to modeling approaches, tools, and infrastructure.

• Drive innovation through the adoption of AI/ML techniques, alternative data sources, and automation.

Model Governance

• Present model methodology, results, and findings to Model Approval Committees to get approval for various use cases.

• Establish and maintain robust model governance frameworks to ensure ongoing model performance and relevance.

• Perform regular model performance monitoring and update models as necessary to reflect changing market conditions.

Model Adoption and Analytics Delivery

• Work closely with portfolio managers, credit analysts, and risk managers to ensure models and analytics are aligned with their requirements.

• Drive the integration of model analytics into user-facing tools in Aladdin, enhancing usability and insights for clients.

• Communicate model results and insights to both technical and non-technical audiences, including senior leadership and committees.

• Act as a thought leader and subject matter expert in client engagements, internal knowledge-sharing forums, and cross-functional initiatives to increase awareness and utilization of modeling capabilities. 

Our benefits

To help you stay energized, engaged and inspired, we offer a wide range of employee benefits including: retirement investment and tools designed to help you in building a sound financial future; access to education reimbursement; comprehensive resources to support your physical health and emotional well-being; family support programs; 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.

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.

For additional information on BlackRock, please visit @blackrock | Twitter: @blackrock | LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/blackrock

BlackRock is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.  We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to age, disability, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation and other protected characteristics at law.