C++ Tech Lead (Algorithmic Development)
Our client, a global energy major, is seeking a highly skilled and hands-on C++ Technical Lead to join their Systematic Trading and Commodities team in London. This is a contract position embedded within one of their premier software initiatives-building a next-generation electronic and algorithmic trading platform.
As the technical lead of a small, elite team of developers, you will work at the cutting edge of IT and trading, delivering low-latency, real-time trading systems that directly impact their trading operations.
Key Responsibilities
Serve as the technical lead for a core team of 3-6 developers, providing mentorship, leadership, and hands-on direction.
Drive the architecture and development of low-latency, high-performance trading systems used for algorithmic and electronic execution.
Collaborate closely with trading desks, business stakeholders, and IT partners to translate trading requirements into robust, scalable code.
Design and implement components such as order management, pricing engines, exchange connectivity, and market data ingestion pipelines.
Lead code reviews, enforce engineering best practices, and foster a strong team culture of technical excellence.
Ensure platform stability and manage incident response to operational issues in real-time.
Prioritise and shield the team from distractions, maintaining delivery momentum and quality.
Resolve interpersonal and technical conflicts, ensuring high-functioning collaboration under pressure.
Key Qualifications
10+ years of expert-level C++ development, with mastery of modern C++ standards, performance optimisation, and system-level programming.
Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field.
Extensive experience building real-time, multi-threaded, low-latency trading systems.
Familiarity with exchange connectivity protocols such as ICE or CME, and FIX protocol (session and application layer).
Proficient in market data acquisition, parsing, and manipulation in real time.
Deep experience with Linux-based environments, distributed systems, and performance tuning.
Comfortable with Git, CI/CD tools, and modern development practices.
Proficiency in Python (especially for scripting, automation, or data tasks) is a plus.
Preferred Qualifications
Hands-on experience working directly on a trading floor (required).
Background in commodities trading, especially oil or refined products, is preferred; broader experience in FICC is also valuable.
Strong knowledge of financial markets, trading workflows, and electronic execution.
Prior experience in hedge funds, investment banks, prop trading firms, or energy trading organisations.
Experience designing systems that integrate directly with front-office trading teams.
Leadership & Interpersonal Requirements
5+ years of experience in a technical leadership role, mentoring and managing software engineers.
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