At a Glance
- Tasks: Develop high-performance C++ software for global markets with a focus on low latency.
- Company: Join Aquis Exchange, Europe's challenger exchange, known for innovation and collaboration.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, flexible work options, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team that values trust, collaboration, and positive disruption.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in financial technology while working with cutting-edge tools and a talented team.
- Qualifications: Experience in C++, networking concepts, and a passion for solving complex problems.
The predicted salary is between 49500 - 60500 £ per year.
In this role you will work with the Product team, Infrastructure team, and QA team, to produce high performance, low latency and highly reliable code. Your goal will be to develop software which handles large amounts of TPS to drive a highly efficient technology used by several markets around the world. To be successful in this role as a Development Engineer, you will be a proponent of agile methodology and modern software best practices. You can produce detailed technical work in OOP and work with other members of the Development team to produce code of high-quality standards. Ideally, you should have worked in critical systems development in the past.
Responsibilities and Duties
- Codes, tests, integrates, and documents software.
- Apply principles and techniques of computer science, engineering, and mathematical analysis to the development of complex products.
- Apply and champion the appropriate standards, processes, procedures, and tools throughout the system development life cycle to support the generation of technical engineering products.
- Keep abreast of technology trends and champion new ideas and process improvements.
Required Skills/Experience
- Experience writing C++ (C++11 or later) — professional, academic, or personal projects all count.
- Understanding of core networking concepts (TCP, UDP, multicast) and why they matter in high-throughput systems.
- Comfortable working on Linux.
- Python, Git, and SQL.
- An analytical mindset with genuine curiosity about how financial markets and exchange technology work.
- A drive to solve complex problems alongside a talented team.
Desired Skills/Experience
- Familiarity with real-time or event-driven systems — any context where latency and throughput matter.
- Exposure to Boost libraries.
- Knowledge of capital markets protocols such as FIX or SBE.
- QuestDB or Dolt.
- Any open-source contributions, side projects, or competitive programming that demonstrates initiative.
Mindset and Methodology
This role involves working with a sophisticated and specialised platform. New joiners invest time in understanding the architecture and domain before making changes to the most critical components. We’re looking for someone who enjoys that kind of deep learning and is keen to build long-term expertise that enables them to take on greater ownership and impact.
- Good team player
- Autonomous
- Good understanding of modern development best practices and methodologies
- Comfortable using Agile methodology, including continuous integration, sprints, Jira and the relevant processes and workflow.
About Aquis Exchange
Aquis Exchange (“Aquis”) is Europe’s challenger exchange, creating better markets for a modern economy. Aquis has market-leading technology and innovative rules for trading, and offers primary listings and secondary trading of equities, along with global licensing of proprietary technology.
Aquis consists of four divisions:
- Aquis Markets operates lit and dark order books, covering 16 European markets.
- Aquis Technologies is the software and technology division of Aquis.
- Aquis Stock Exchange (“AQSE”) is a stock market providing primary and secondary markets for equity securities.
- Aquis Data generates revenue from the sale of data derived from Aquis Markets and Aquis Stock Exchange to non-Member market participants.
Aquis is authorised and regulated by the UK Financial Conduct Authority and France's Autorité de contrôle prudentiel et de résolution and L’Autorité des marchés financiers to operate Multilateral Trading Facility businesses in the UK & Switzerland markets and in EU27 markets, respectively.
Our Culture
At Aquis, we’re proud of our culture - one built on trust, collaboration, and accountability. We work fast, support one another, and share responsibility for both our successes and our lessons learned. Our values guide how we work every day:
- Win as One– We collaborate, share knowledge, and celebrate collective success.
- Disrupt Positively– We challenge the status quo and look for smarter, better ways to do things.
- Find Joy– We take pride in our work and enjoy what we do, even when it’s challenging.
- Act with Honour– We do the right thing, with integrity and respect for others.
You’ll join a supportive, ambitious, and diverse team where ideas are encouraged and innovation is part of our DNA. We recruit talented people from all walks of life and empower them to make an impact. If our values resonate with you, Aquis could be the ideal place to grow your career.
The statements included in this job description are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required.
Equal opportunities at Aquis Exchange. We are an equal-opportunities employer. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, gender, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status.
Development Engineer C++ in City of London employer: Aquis Exchange
Aquis Exchange is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where collaboration and innovation thrive. With a strong focus on employee growth, Aquis provides opportunities for professional development and encourages team members to challenge the status quo while enjoying their work. Located in a vibrant financial hub, employees benefit from a culture built on trust and accountability, making it an ideal place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding careers in the trading technology sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Development Engineer C++ in City of London
✨Join Local Tech Meetups
Get out there and mingle with fellow developers by joining local tech meetups. It’s a fantastic way to meet people who might be working at Aquis Exchange or know someone who does. Plus, you can pick up some trendy tech skills and trends while you're at it!
✨Contribute to Open Source Projects
Show off your coding chops by jumping into open-source projects. Not only does this give you practical experience, but it also gets you noticed in the dev community. You'll create a killer portfolio that speaks volumes about your skills to Aquis Exchange.
✨Tap into Online Developer Communities
Don’t underestimate the power of online developer communities like GitHub, Stack Overflow, and even Reddit. Participate in discussions, share your projects, and build your visibility. We can often find opportunities through these channels that can lead to a full-time gig at companies like Aquis Exchange.
✨Explore Job Boards Specifically for Tech Roles
Keep your eyes peeled on job boards that focus on tech roles. Sites like TechCareers or Stack Overflow Jobs can often have listings for companies like Aquis Exchange that might not show up on broader job sites. Make it a habit to check these regularly, and don’t hesitate to apply directly through our website!
We think you need these skills to ace Development Engineer C++ in City of London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show off your coding skills:When applying for a software engineering role, it's super important to showcase your coding skills. Make sure your CV includes your tech stack, any relevant programming languages you’re comfortable with, and examples of projects you've worked on. If you have a GitHub profile, link it up! We love to see code in action.
Tailor your portfolio:For a full-time role, we’d expect to see some solid examples of your work in your portfolio. Make sure to include at least two or three projects that highlight your problem-solving skills and your ability to work with different technologies. Focus on the projects that are most relevant to the position at Aquis Exchange.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Aquis Exchange and how your skills align with the role. Show us your passion for software development. We dig enthusiastic candidates who understand the value of collaboration and continuous learning!
Be clear and concise:When it comes to writing your CV and cover letter, clarity is key. Avoid jargon that could confuse us and stick to simple, direct language. Highlight your achievements with quantifiable results where possible, and keep everything easy to read. A well-organised application goes a long way!
How to prepare for a job interview at Aquis Exchange
✨Brush Up on Your Coding Skills
For a full-time software engineering role, it's crucial that we stay sharp with our coding abilities. Expect technical questions that might involve solving problems on the spot or discussing algorithms. Practise on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to get comfortable with the types of questions that often come up.
✨Know Your Tools and Frameworks
Make sure we’re well-acquainted with the tools and technologies listed in the job description. Familiarise ourselves with any specific frameworks or programming languages mentioned. If Aquis Exchange uses React or Node.js, for instance, be ready to discuss how we’ve used them in previous projects or coursework.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Bring along a portfolio that highlights our best work. This could be code samples, GitHub repositories, or any side projects we’ve built. Make sure we can talk through our thought process for each project, especially the challenges we faced and how we solved them—this shows our problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
While technical skills are key, full-time positions also require cultural fit. Be ready to discuss our previous experiences and how we handle teamwork, conflict, and deadlines. Brush up on the STAR method—Situation, Task, Action, Result—to clearly articulate our past experiences when discussing how we've contributed to a team.