Lead Software Engineer

Fitch Group is currently seeking a Lead Software Engineer - Associate Director based out of our Chicago office.As a leading, global financial information services provider, Fitch Group delivers vital credit and risk insights, robust data, and dynamic tools to champion more efficient, transparent financial markets. With over 100 years of experience and colleagues in over 30 countries, Fitch Group’s culture of credibility, independence, and transparency is embedded throughout its structure, which includes Fitch Ratings, one of the world’s top three credit ratings agencies, and Fitch Solutions, a leading provider of insights, data and analytics. With dual headquarters in London and New York, Fitch Group is owned by Hearst. As a leading, global financial information services provider, Fitch Group delivers vital credit and risk insights, robust data, and dynamic tools to champion more efficient, transparent financial markets. With over 100 years of experience and colleagues in over 30 countries, Fitch Group’s culture of credibility, independence, and transparency is embedded throughout its structure, which includes Fitch Ratings, one of the world’s top three credit ratings agencies, and Fitch Solutions, a leading provider of insights, data and analytics. With dual headquarters in London and New York, Fitch Group is owned by Hearst.  Fitch's Technology & Data Team is a dynamic department where innovation meets impact. Our team includes the Chief Data Office, Chief Software Office, Chief Technology Office, Emerging Technology, Shared Technology Services, Technology, Risk and the Executive Program Management Office (EPMO). Driven by our investment in cutting-edge technologies like AI and cloud solutions, we’re home to a diverse range of roles and backgrounds united by a shared passion for leveraging modern technology to drive projects that matter to our organization and clients. We are also proud to be recognized by Built In as a “Best Place to Work in Technology” 3 years in a row. Whether you're an experienced professional or just starting your career, we offer an exciting and supportive environment where you can grow, innovate, and make a difference.  Want to learn more about a career in technology and data at Fitch? Visit: How You’ll Make an Impact:  Build cross-platform web-based add-ins that run inside Microsoft Office applications. Design and develop secure, performant data delivery tools integrated with multiple backend systems. Design and develop applications that enable internal and external client self-service analytical content creation. Implement BDD practices and frameworks to enhance test automation and acceptance criteria using cutting-edge AI techniques. Integrate code and test case execution and reporting within the CI/CD pipeline to align with the DevOps strategy, criteria, requirements, and user stories. Work with cross-functional teams including business analysts, developers, and users to build and expose data and analytics services. You May be a Good Fit if: 5+ years of software development experience, with proven expertise in Java, javascript, Office.js, and TypeScript Strong knowledge of the Excel development ecosystem: COM Add-ins, Excel formulas, custom functions, named functions, and VBA Demonstrated ability to parse, validate, and generate Excel formula syntax programmatically Extensive experience designing and consuming REST APIs and microservices architectures Extensive experience with asynchronous pipeline architectures in Java Hands-on experience with AI/ML frameworks (LangChain, LlamaIndex, AutoGen, or similar) and understanding of Agentic AI workflows Proven track record of fine-tuning models with structured, code-based training data (formulas, function calls, structured outputs). Experience processing Excel files and VBA code as training inputs for machine learning models Strong data engineering skills: dataset construction, data cleaning, normalization, and quality assurance Experience working with structured financial data and understanding of financial instruments (bonds, derivatives, etc.) is highly desirable Proficiency in automated testing frameworks (Playwright, Selenium, Jest, or similar) Solid understanding of BDD/TDD methodologies and acceptance test-driven development What Would Make You Stand Out:  Knowledge of financial modeling and quantitative analysis Familiarity with Python for data science and ML model development Experience with CI/CD pipelines and DevOps practices Experience configuring github workflows for CI and CD Exposure to Code quality metrics, and shift-left principles Experience troubleshooting AWS hosted deployments Experience validating AI-generated outputs against business logic, and AI guardrails. Exposure to the financial industry domain and data platforms Why Choose Fitch:  Hybrid Work Environment: 2 days a week in office required. A Culture of Learning & Mobility: Dedicated trainings, leadership development and mentorship programs designed to ensure that your time at Fitch will be a continuous learning opportunity Investing in Your Future: Retirement planning and tuition reimbursement programs that empower you to achieve your short and long-term goals Promoting Health & Wellbeing: Comprehensive healthcare offerings that enable physical, mental, financial, social, and occupational wellbeing Supportive Parenting Policies: Family-friendly policies, including a generous global parental leave plan, designed to help you balance career and family life effectively Inclusive Work Environment: A collaborative workplace where all voices are valued, with Employee Resource Groups that unite and empower our colleagues around the globe Dedication to Giving Back: Paid volunteer days, matched funding for donations and ample opportunities to volunteer in your community Fitch is committed to providing global securities markets with objective, timely, independent and forward-looking credit opinions. To protect Fitch’s credibility and reputation, our employees must take every precaution to avoid conflicts of interest or any appearance of a conflict of interest. Should you be successful in the recruitment process at Fitch Ratings you will be asked to declare any securities holdings and other potential conflicts prior to commencing employment. If you, or your immediate family, have any holdings that may conflict with your work responsibilities, you may be asked to divest yourself of them before beginning work. Fitch is proud to be an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status, and other statuses protected by law.  FOR CHICAGO ROLES ONLY: Expected base pay rates for the role will be between $140,000 and $160,000 per year. Actual salaries will be determined on an individualized basis and may vary based on factors including but not limited to education, training, experience, past performance, and other job-related factors.  Base pay is one part of Fitch’s total compensation package, which, depending on the position, may also include commission earnings, discretionary bonuses, long-term incentives, and other benefits sponsored by Fitch.