At a Glance
- Tasks: Collaborate with engineers to design, build, and test innovative software features.
- Company: Join Ctrl Alt, a fast-growing fintech startup redefining digital capital markets.
- Benefits: Enjoy 26 days annual leave, flexible time off, and a personal development budget.
- Other info: Work in a collaborative culture with real responsibility and growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Gain hands-on experience in a dynamic environment where your contributions truly matter.
- Qualifications: Pursuing a degree in Computer Science or related field with JavaScript/TypeScript experience.
The predicted salary is between 19350 - 23650 £ per year.
This is a 12-month, full-time (40 hours a week) placement starting in summer 2027, based in our Belfast office on a hybrid pattern with three days a week in the office.
About Ctrl Alt
Ctrl Alt is designing and operating the on-chain infrastructure powering digital capital markets globally. We bring together a unique blend of expertise in financial markets and cutting-edge in-house technology to deliver tailored, compliant solutions in the alternative assets space. Since launching in 2022, we’ve tokenized over $1.5 Billion in assets across real estate, private credit, funds, litigation finance and more. We’re building a high-performance, people-first culture where ambitious individuals can thrive. We move fast, think big and hold ourselves to a high bar, while keeping things collaborative, open and genuinely fun. At Ctrl Alt ideas win on merit, teams work closely with leadership, and everyone has a voice in shaping what we build next. We believe that hard work should come with real reward. You won’t just join a company - you’ll help build one. Last year alone, we grew from 17 to 50 people, and this year we’re going faster and further. That means real responsibility, meaningful impact, and the opportunity to grow alongside a company that’s redefining the future of finance through the tokenization of alternative assets. If you’re excited by scale-up energy, ownership, and the chance to help shape both a business and a culture, Ctrl Alt is where you can do the most rewarding work of your career.
The Opportunity
We’re looking for a Software Engineer Placement Student to join our growing product and engineering team. You’ll work alongside experienced engineers to help design, build and test features across our platform, from investor tools and dashboards to APIs and integrations that support our global partners. This role offers the chance to gain hands-on experience with real-world software development, working in an agile, high-growth startup where your contributions truly matter.
What you'll be doing:
- Collaborate with engineers and product managers to understand real-world software development workflows and help deliver new product features.
- Learn to write clean, efficient, and maintainable code in TypeScript/JavaScript under the guidance of experienced mentors.
- Assist in building and testing APIs that power our investment and tokenization platform.
- Develop an understanding of scalable and secure backend systems, exploring how we architect high-performance fintech infrastructure.
- Participate in code reviews to learn best practices in code quality, testing, and documentation.
- Support QA and testing efforts, gaining exposure to how we ensure our products are reliable and production-ready.
- Gain hands-on experience with modern development tools such as GitHub, Docker, and CI/CD pipelines used in professional engineering teams.
- Work within an Agile environment, learning how teams plan, iterate, and deliver features efficiently.
This role will be a great fit if you:
- Are currently pursuing a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field.
- Have some experience with JavaScript/TypeScript, through coursework or personal projects.
- Have a basic understanding of web development and APIs.
- Are eager to learn about fintech, blockchain, and tokenization.
- Have strong problem-solving skills and curiosity.
- Communicate well and are a collaborative team player with a positive attitude.
- Are proactive, motivated, and highly organised.
- Are reliable, adaptable, and committed to personal growth and continuous improvement.
How we support you
- 26 days of annual leave, plus public holidays, with flexibility for additional time off.
- A MacBook, screens, and any additional equipment you need to perform at a high level.
- Modern, centrally located offices in London, Belfast, Dundalk, and Dubai - designed for collaboration and focus.
- An annual learning and personal development budget for training, exams, certifications, and qualifications - whatever helps you move forward.
Software Engineering Placement Student - Summer 2027 start in Belfast employer: Ctrl Alt
Ctrl Alt is an exceptional employer that fosters a high-performance, people-first culture where ambitious individuals can thrive. Located in the heart of London, we offer competitive salaries, generous stock options, and premium private healthcare, alongside a commitment to employee growth through continuous learning and personal development budgets. Join us to not only contribute to the future of finance but also to enjoy a collaborative and energising work environment that values your input and rewards your hard work.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Software Engineering Placement Student - Summer 2027 start in Belfast
✨Get Involved with Open Source Projects
Diving into open source is a fantastic way to showcase your skills and build a solid portfolio that speaks volumes. Contributing to projects on platforms like GitHub not only helps you learn, but it puts your work in front of potential employers, including places like Ctrl Alt!
✨Attend Hackathons and Tech Meetups
Jumping into hackathons or local tech meetups can give you great exposure to the industry. Not only do you get to network with like-minded individuals, but you might even catch the attention of recruiters from companies like Ctrl Alt while collaborating on exciting projects.
✨Leverage University Career Services
Don’t underestimate the power of your university's career services! They often have connections with companies looking for placement candidates like us. They can guide you on preparing for interviews and even help set up networking events.
✨Show Off Your Projects on Your Personal Website
Create a portfolio website to showcase your coding projects and development skills. This is a brilliant way to give a peek into your personality and capabilities while letting potential employers like Ctrl Alt see your work up close. Plus, it shows you're proactive!
We think you need these skills to ace Software Engineering Placement Student - Summer 2027 start in Belfast
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Projects:In software engineering, showcasing your portfolio is key! Include links to GitHub repositories or any relevant projects you've worked on. This will give us a clear idea of your coding skills and what you can bring to Ctrl Alt.
Highlight Relevant Skills:Make sure to emphasise programming languages, frameworks, and tools you’re familiar with on your CV. For a placement, we love seeing candidates who are eager to learn and adapt, so don’t hesitate to include any relevant coursework or certifications you’ve completed.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:In your cover letter, focus on why you’re interested in a placement with Ctrl Alt specifically. Tell us what you hope to learn and how we fit into your career goals—not just what you can do for us, but what you want to gain from the experience.
Be Ready to Talk Tech:Prepare for the possibility of a technical assessment or interview. Brush up on coding challenges and be ready to discuss your approach to problem-solving. Remember, we are looking for your thought process and ability to learn, not just the correct answer!
How to prepare for a job interview at Ctrl Alt
✨Brush Up on Your Coding Skills
For a software engineering placement at Ctrl Alt, be ready to tackle coding challenges. You might face questions on algorithms, data structures, or even a live coding session. Practising on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank can really sharpen your skills and boost your confidence!
✨Showcase Your Projects
Have a couple of your projects on hand to discuss during the interview. Whether it's a personal project or something from your coursework, being able to explain your thought process, the technologies you used, and any challenges you faced can make a great impression. Be prepared to dive into the specifics and even share your GitHub link!
✨Understand the Tech Stack
Make sure you're familiar with the technologies and tools that Ctrl Alt uses. If you see mentions of specific languages or frameworks in the job description, brush up on them. This shows your enthusiasm and preparedness for the role, making you a more attractive candidate!
✨Be Ready to Learn and Adapt
As this is a placement, the hiring team at Ctrl Alt will be keen to hear about your motivation and potential to grow. Be open about what you want to learn from the role. Highlight experiences where you've adapted to new situations or picked up new skills quickly to showcase your enthusiasm for the opportunity.
