At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and build a central automation platform using Python, enhancing data orchestration and user tooling.
- Company: Join a leading firm in quantitative finance, tackling complex problems with innovative solutions.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, flexible working arrangements, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Collaborate with top-tier engineers and researchers in a supportive, exploratory culture.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic environment while working with cutting-edge technologies.
- Qualifications: Strong Python skills, experience with CI/CD pipelines, and excellent communication abilities.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
We tackle the most complex problems in quantitative finance, by bringing scientific clarity to financial complexity. From our London HQ, we unite world‑class researchers and engineers in an environment that values deep exploration and methodical execution – because the best ideas take time to evolve.
The Storage Engineering team manages hundreds of petabytes across VAST, PowerScale, ECS, Rubrik, Alletra, Pure and a custom Tier Zero platform. The current operational tooling is a patchwork of GitOps workflows and Jenkins pipelines. We are replacing it with a custom‑built central automation and reporting engine backed by CockroachDB.
We are hiring a Python Platform Engineer on a contract basis to deliver key components of the platform alongside two other senior Platform Developers and the existing Storage Engineering team. This is a senior individual‑contributor role focused on hands‑on delivery. You will write code every day, contributing high‑quality engineering work that meets the team’s standards and supports the platform’s long‑term architecture.
Responsibilities
- Designing and building the central automation and reporting platform in Python
- Building a custom data orchestration engine to copy, move and sync data across platforms, sites and storage tiers
- Delivering world‑class self‑service tooling for non‑technical users
- Implementing a tiered storage strategy to maximise GPU farm efficiency and minimise storage cost
- Building proactive monitoring, health checking and operational dashboards
- Following established coding standards, participating in code reviews, and maintaining CI/CD quality gates and infrastructure‑as‑code discipline
Qualifications
- Great Python experience, with experience designing large codebases rather than scripting
- Significant experience designing CI/CD pipelines beyond basic Jenkins
- Proven ability to design modular, maintainable systems with clean APIs and contracts
- Strong testing discipline across unit, integration and end‑to‑end testing
- Excellent communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across teams
Desired
- Experience with Go and/or Rust
- Experience with CockroachDB or similar distributed SQL databases
- HPC or storage domain knowledge
- Workflow orchestration tools such as Temporal, Airflow or Prefect
- Data movement tooling at scale
- Front‑end development experience with frameworks such as React
Python Platform Engineer (Contract) in London employer: Barlowe LLP
At our London HQ, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a culture of innovation and collaboration. Our team thrives in an environment where deep exploration is encouraged, and we offer ample opportunities for professional growth through hands-on projects and mentorship from world-class researchers and engineers. With a commitment to work-life balance and a focus on delivering meaningful solutions in quantitative finance, we provide a unique platform for talented individuals to make a significant impact.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Python Platform Engineer (Contract) in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in the industry, attend meetups, and connect with potential colleagues on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can refer you directly.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a GitHub repository showcasing your Python projects or any relevant work. This gives potential employers a taste of your coding style and problem-solving abilities, making you stand out from the crowd.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for technical interviews by brushing up on your coding skills and system design knowledge. Practice common interview questions and consider mock interviews with friends or mentors to build confidence.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We love seeing candidates who are genuinely interested in joining our team. Tailor your approach to highlight how your experience aligns with our mission in quantitative finance.
We think you need these skills to ace Python Platform Engineer (Contract) in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the job description. Highlight your Python expertise and any relevant experience with CI/CD pipelines, as these are key for us.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to tell us why you're passionate about the role and how your background aligns with our mission. Be specific about your experience with automation and reporting platforms.
Showcase Your Projects:If you've worked on projects that involve building modular systems or data orchestration engines, make sure to mention them. We love seeing real examples of your work!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from our team.
How to prepare for a job interview at Barlowe LLP
✨Know Your Python Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your Python skills before the interview. Be ready to discuss your experience with designing large codebases and how you've implemented CI/CD pipelines. They’ll likely want to see your problem-solving approach, so think of examples where you’ve tackled complex issues using Python.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Their Tech Stack
Get to know the tools and technologies mentioned in the job description, like CockroachDB, Jenkins, and any orchestration tools. Being able to speak knowledgeably about these will show that you're genuinely interested and prepared to hit the ground running.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect some technical questions or coding challenges during the interview. Practice writing clean, modular code and be ready to explain your thought process. They might also ask about your testing discipline, so have examples ready that demonstrate your approach to unit, integration, and end-to-end testing.
✨Show Off Your Communication Skills
Since collaboration is key in this role, be prepared to discuss how you’ve worked effectively with other teams in the past. Share specific examples of how you’ve communicated complex ideas clearly and how you’ve contributed to team success. This will highlight your ability to fit into their collaborative environment.