At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead backend development for high-performance trading applications and tools.
- Company: Join CoinDesk, a leader in the crypto economy with a commitment to innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible work options, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with a focus on AI-driven development and career advancement.
- Why this job: Shape the future of trading technology and make a real impact in the crypto space.
- Qualifications: 12+ years of Java backend experience and expertise in trading systems.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 € per year.
CoinDesk is the most trusted media, events, indices and data company for the global crypto economy. Since 2013, CoinDesk Media has led the story of the future of money and investing, illuminating the transformation in society and culture that comes with it. Our award-winning team of journalists delivers news and unparalleled insights that bring transparency, comprehension and context. CoinDesk Events gathers the global crypto, blockchain and Web3 communities at annual events such as Consensus, the world’s largest and longest-running crypto festival. CoinDesk Indices offers expertise in digital asset indices, data and research to educate and empower investors.
In November 2023, CoinDesk was acquired by the Bullish group, owner of Bullish, a regulated, digital assets exchange. CoinDesk operates as an independent subsidiary with an editorial committee to protect journalistic independence.
Reports to: Vice President, Engineering
Engineering Organization & Culture
At Bullish, we are engineering the institutional standard for the digital asset industry. Our mission is to build a platform centered on security and compliance, requiring a commitment to technical excellence that extends beyond delivering code. As a global organization, we set a high bar for those driven to do their best work alongside experienced, deeply specialized peers. Engineers here treat development as a craft and own the outcome from concept to deployment. Our teams bring structure to ambiguity and shape the frameworks that support a global organization. We refuse to compromise on quality and seek problem solvers who thrive on complex technical challenges with real market consequences.
The Team: Trading Product Engineering
The Trading Product Engineering team builds the core distributed systems that drive the global trading experience on Bullish Exchange. We own the end-to-end order lifecycle, orchestrating a hybrid matching engine that combines a Central Limit Order Book with proprietary Automated Market Making. Our high-throughput APIs enable trading across Spot, Futures, and Options. The work demands absolute correctness in managing complex financial state transitions, translating intricate market structures into scalable solutions.
The Role
We are looking for a Lead Engineer to drive backend development of the applications, frameworks, and tools at the core of Bullish Exchange. You will design and build high-performance trading engine components alongside a distributed team based primarily in Hong Kong and Singapore. This is a hands-on technical role with leadership expectations: setting the technical bar, mentoring engineers, and shaping how the team works. Bullish Engineering operates on an AI-first principle, using LLMs throughout the SDLC to speed up development, review, and automation.
What You'll Do
- Design and deliver reusable, reliable, low-latency Java code that powers the Exchange.
- Apply deep TradFi product knowledge across Spot and Derivatives to ensure functional correctness and market fit.
- Identify bottlenecks and engineer solutions that improve throughput, latency, and reliability.
- Set the bar for code quality, automation, and design across the team.
- Mentor engineers and define what good looks like across the organization.
- Collaborate closely with engineers, product, and project management across Hong Kong, Singapore, and other Bullish hubs.
What You'll Bring
- 12+ years of Java backend engineering experience, with a focus on front-office execution and trading technologies.
- Expert-level Java (17+), including the JVM, concurrency primitives, and collections.
- Proven track record of architecting and building low-latency trading systems from the ground up.
- Strong command of data structures, algorithms, and TDD/BDD practices, including thorough unit test coverage with JUnit and Mockito.
- Hands-on experience with Spring or Micronaut, Docker, and Kubernetes.
- Working knowledge of messaging technologies such as Kafka, RabbitMQ, or Solace.
- Solid understanding of Spot, Futures, and Options markets.
- Hands-on experience with agentic AI development: LLM integration, prompt engineering, and SDLC automation.
- Familiarity with Git/GitHub, JIRA, Confluence, and CI/CD practices.
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or a related technical field.
Nice to Haves
- Familiarity with TypeScript.
- Familiarity with Google Cloud Platform (GCP).
- Experience in the cryptocurrency or digital asset space.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY
In an effort to attract, retain, develop and promote the most qualified individuals, CoinDesk is committed to treating all applicants and employees in a nondiscriminatory manner with respect to the terms and conditions of employment, without regard to race, color, religion or belief, sex, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status/service, physical or mental disability, or any other classification protected by applicable law. This mandate governs all aspects of employment, including recruitment, selection, promotion, training, education, social and recreation programs, compensation, discipline, termination and access to benefits.
ACCOMMODATION
CoinDesk is also committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the application process, please send an e-mail to recruiting@coindesk.com and let us know the nature of your request.
Lead Engineer, Trading Product Engineering in London employer: CoinDesk
At CoinDesk, we pride ourselves on being a leading force in the crypto economy, offering an innovative and collaborative work environment that fosters creativity and technical excellence. Our team is dedicated to professional growth, providing ample opportunities for mentorship and skill development while working alongside industry experts in vibrant locations like Hong Kong and Singapore. Join us to be part of a mission-driven company that values transparency, quality, and the transformative power of technology in finance.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Engineer, Trading Product Engineering in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in the crypto and trading space on LinkedIn or at events. A friendly chat can open doors that a CV just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! If you’ve got a portfolio of projects or contributions to open-source, make sure to highlight them. It’s a great way to demonstrate your expertise beyond the usual application.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for technical interviews by brushing up on your Java and trading system knowledge. Practice coding challenges and be ready to discuss your past projects in detail.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team.
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Engineer, Trading Product Engineering in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Lead Engineer role. Highlight your Java backend experience and any relevant projects that showcase your skills in trading technologies. We want to see how your background aligns with our mission at CoinDesk!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about the crypto space and how your expertise can contribute to our team. Let us know what excites you about working with Bullish and CoinDesk.
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills:In your application, don’t just list your skills—show us how you've used them to solve complex problems. We love candidates who can demonstrate their thought process and approach to tackling challenges in trading systems.
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’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our awesome team!
How to prepare for a job interview at CoinDesk
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your Java skills, especially the latest features in Java 17. Be ready to discuss low-latency trading systems and how you've architected them in the past. CoinDesk is looking for someone who can demonstrate a deep understanding of backend engineering, so be prepared to dive into technical details.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare examples of complex technical challenges you've faced and how you solved them. Think about bottlenecks you've identified in previous projects and the solutions you implemented. This role demands a strong problem-solving mindset, so highlight your ability to think critically under pressure.
✨Familiarise Yourself with the Crypto Landscape
Since CoinDesk operates in the crypto space, having a solid grasp of Spot, Futures, and Options markets will set you apart. Brush up on current trends and challenges in the digital asset industry, and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their mission to build a secure and compliant platform.
✨Emphasise Collaboration and Leadership
As a Lead Engineer, you'll need to mentor others and set the technical bar. Prepare to talk about your leadership style and how you've successfully collaborated with cross-functional teams in the past. CoinDesk values engineers who can not only deliver code but also inspire and guide their peers.
