At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and develop Python applications for a cutting-edge risk platform in trading.
- Company: Leading global commodity trading firm focused on innovative risk technology.
- Benefits: Gain exposure to modern tech, competitive pay, and work in a dynamic environment.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth in a fast-paced, collaborative setting.
- Why this job: Join a high-performing team and tackle complex engineering challenges from the ground up.
- Qualifications: 2-3 years of Python experience and strong problem-solving skills required.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 70000 £ per year.
Our client is a leading global commodity trading firm investing heavily in the next generation of risk technology. As part of a major greenfield initiative, they are building a modern, scalable risk platform that will underpin trading activity across multiple asset classes and global markets.
They are seeking a Python Engineer to join a high-performing Risk Technology team responsible for designing and developing this new platform from the ground up. Working alongside experienced engineers, quantitative developers and front office stakeholders, you will play a key role in building highly performant, reliable systems that support real-time risk analytics and decision making.
This is an exceptional opportunity for an early-career engineer looking to work on complex engineering challenges within a world-class trading environment. You’ll gain exposure to distributed systems, cloud technologies and modern software engineering practices while contributing to a business-critical platform from its inception.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Design, develop and maintain Python applications that form part of a new enterprise-wide risk platform.
- Collaborate closely with traders, quantitative analysts and risk teams to translate business requirements into scalable technical solutions.
- Build robust APIs, data pipelines and backend services supporting risk calculation and reporting.
- Contribute to system architecture and engineering best practices within a greenfield environment.
- Write clean, well‑tested and maintainable code, following modern software engineering principles.
- Participate in code reviews and collaborate with senior engineers to continuously improve the platform.
- Optimise application performance and reliability for high-volume, low‑latency trading environments.
- Work within an Agile engineering team delivering high-quality software through continuous integration and deployment practices.
Requirements
Essential
- 2-3 years’ commercial experience developing software in Python.
- Strong computer science fundamentals, including algorithms, data structures and object-oriented programming.
- Degree in Computer Science or a closely related discipline from a leading university, ideally Oxbridge or a Russell Group institution.
- Experience building backend applications, APIs or distributed systems.
- Strong understanding of software engineering best practices, including testing, version control and code quality.
- Excellent problem-solving skills with the ability to work on technically complex challenges.
- Strong communication skills and the ability to collaborate with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
Highly Desirable
- Experience within financial services, trading or capital markets.
- Exposure to risk systems or market data platforms.
- Knowledge of cloud platforms such as AWS or Azure.
- Experience working with SQL databases and large-scale data processing.
- Familiarity with containerisation technologies such as Docker and orchestration platforms including Kubernetes.
- Exposure to CI/CD pipelines and modern DevOps practices.
- An interest in quantitative finance, risk analytics or commodity trading.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Python Engineer in London
✨Make Your Portfolio Shine
As a freelancer in software development, your portfolio is your bread and butter. Showcase not only your completed projects but also your coding skills on platforms like GitHub or GitLab. This visibility can lead to clients reaching out to you directly!
✨Join Developer Communities
Get involved in developer communities like Stack Overflow or Reddit's r/programming. Contributing to discussions, sharing your knowledge, or even helping others can expand your network and lead to freelance opportunities. Plus, it keeps you in the loop about what’s trending in software development.
✨Freelance Platforms Are Your Friend
Sign up for popular freelance platforms such as Upwork or Freelancer. They’re filled with people looking for talent like yours! Don’t forget to personalise your pitch to each potential client, highlighting how your unique skills can solve their specific problems.
✨Utilise Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to your existing contacts - you never know who might need your services or can refer you to someone who does. Personal connections can lead to more reliable gigs than cold applications. And we're here to help too! If you're looking for freelance opportunities, check out opportunities listed on our website.
We think you need these skills to ace Python Engineer in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your GitHub Projects:When applying for a freelance software engineering gig at Cititec, make sure to include your GitHub link in your application. Highlighting your code repositories, contributions to Open Source, and any personal projects can really set you apart and give us insight into your skills and coding style.
Tailor Your CV with Relevant Skills:In software development, the specifics matter! Make sure your CV lists the programming languages and technologies you excel at. Focus on the ones that align with the projects Cititec is working on. Listing your tech stack clearly will help us understand how you fit into our team.
Include a Portfolio of Your Work:A solid portfolio is a must when applying for freelance roles. Include links to any apps, websites, or software you've developed. Highlight any projects that reflect a strong user experience, efficiency, or innovative solutions—this is your chance to shine and show us what you can bring to the table!
Mention Your Availability and Rates:Since this is a freelance role, we want to know when you’re available and what your rates are like! Be upfront about your typical work hours and project timelines. This transparency will help us see if we can sync up for future projects at Cititec.
How to prepare for a job interview at Cititec
✨Showcase Your Code Wizardry
Since you're going for a freelance role in software engineering, have a solid portfolio ready to flaunt your best work. Include projects that highlight your coding skills, frameworks you excel in, and any problem-solving feats you've pulled off. This is your chance to shine, so choose pieces that reflect your unique style and expertise!
✨Prepare for Technical Challenges
Freelance gigs often involve tech assessments or coding challenges, so be ready to tackle some hands-on problems. Brush up on common algorithms, data structures, and any languages/frameworks relevant to the role at Cititec. Being comfortable with platforms like HackerRank or LeetCode can give you an edge and showcase your skills under pressure!
✨Be Clear About Your Rates and Flexibility
As a freelancer, be prepared to discuss your rates upfront. It's crucial to communicate your pricing structure clearly and whether you're open to negotiation. Do your homework on industry standards to ensure you pitch a fair and competitive rate that reflects your skills and experience!
✨Understand Their Tech Stack
Before the interview, get familiar with the tools and technologies used at Cititec. Whether it's a particular framework or a specific coding methodology, being knowledgeable about their tech stack not only shows your interest but also helps you present how you could fit seamlessly into their existing projects. Demonstrating you’ve done your homework can set you apart from other candidates!
