At a Glance
- Tasks: Build and enhance high-performance trading systems using C++ and Python.
- Company: Join a high-performing engineering group in the finance tech sector.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hands-on experience, and opportunities for growth.
- Other info: Gain exposure to algorithmic trading and collaborate in a dynamic team.
- Why this job: Dive into real-time trading systems and make an impact in finance technology.
- Qualifications: Early-career experience with strong programming skills in C++ and Python.
The predicted salary is between 25650 - 31350 £ per year.
This role sits within a high-performing engineering group responsible for building and supporting the core systems that underpin real-time trading activity. The successful candidate will work across the full software development lifecycle, contributing to the design, build, deployment, and optimisation of highly scalable, performance-critical applications.
Key Responsibilities
- Build, test, and enhance high-performance trading systems using C++ and Python
- Translate quantitative models and trading logic into robust production-ready software
- Develop internal tools and interfaces used directly by front-office trading teams
- Improve market data ingestion, exchange connectivity, and real-time data flows
- Contribute to distributed systems, low-latency communication, and performance tuning initiatives
- Take part in design discussions, code reviews, profiling, and CI/CD improvements
- Gain hands-on exposure to algorithmic trading infrastructure, market structure, and risk platforms
Candidate Profile
- Early-career experience demonstrated through internships, placements, or academic projects (0–2 years)
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mathematics, Physics, Engineering, or a related discipline (graduating between December 2025 and June 2026)
- Strong programming capability in C++ and Python
- Solid foundations in data structures, algorithms, and operating systems
- Comfortable working in Linux/Unix environments
- A strong focus on writing clean, efficient, and maintainable code
- Excellent analytical thinking and problem-solving ability
- Clear communicator with the ability to collaborate effectively in team environments
- Genuine interest in financial markets (prior finance experience not required)
- Exposure to distributed systems, concurrency, or network programming
- Experience working with low-latency or real-time systems
- Familiarity with trading platforms, data pipelines, or simulation tools
- Open-source contributions or personal technical projects that demonstrate initiative
Contact Ciara Clarke at Harrington Starr for a confidential discussion.
C++ Engineer, Real-Time Trading Systems in London employer: Harrington Starr
Join a dynamic and innovative capital markets technology business in London, where your contributions as a Junior Account Manager will directly impact client success and company growth. With a strong emphasis on employee development, a collaborative work culture, and competitive benefits, this role offers you the chance to thrive in a fast-paced environment while building meaningful relationships with clients and colleagues alike. Experience the unique advantage of working in a scaling firm backed by a leading growth investor, providing ample opportunities for professional growth and advancement.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land C++ Engineer, Real-Time Trading Systems in London
✨Join Developer Communities!
Dive into online communities like GitHub or Stack Overflow. Contributing to open-source projects can really showcase your coding skills and catch the eye of hiring managers at companies like Harrington Starr.
✨Attend Tech Meetups and Hackathons
Get your name out there by attending local tech meetups and hackathons. It's a perfect way to network with industry professionals and fellow interns, while also demonstrating your coding prowess in a collaborative setting.
✨Leverage University Career Services
Don't forget about your university's career services! They often have partnerships with companies like Harrington Starr, and can help you access exclusive internship listings and workshops tailored for aspiring interns like us.
✨Show Off Your Work
Create a portfolio showcasing your coding projects on a platform like GitHub Pages or personal website. When applying for internships, we should link this to provide tangible proof of our skills and creativity, making us stand out to Harrington Starr!
We think you need these skills to ace C++ Engineer, Real-Time Trading Systems in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Side Projects:If you've got any side projects or contributions to open source, make sure to highlight them in your CV. We want to see what you can create! Include links to your GitHub or any relevant platforms to give us a taste of your coding style and skills.
Tailor Your CV for Software Engineering:Make your CV pop by tailoring it specifically for software engineering. List relevant programming languages, frameworks, and tools you’ve worked with, and showcase any tech stacks you're familiar with. This will help us quickly see how you fit into the Harrington Starr team!
Let Your Passion Shine in Your Cover Letter:In your cover letter, don't just list your skills—tell us why you're passionate about software engineering! We love to see candidates who are eager to learn and grow, so share what excites you about this field and how a role at Harrington Starr can help you on your journey.
Demonstrate Your Learning Mindset:As this is an internship, focus on your willingness to learn and adapt! We’re keen to see examples of how you’ve tackled challenges or learnt new skills in the past. Bring that eagerness to your application, showing us that you're ready to dive into a real-world software environment at Harrington Starr!
How to prepare for a job interview at Harrington Starr
✨Showcase Your Coding Skills
Since you're aiming for a software engineering internship, be ready to code on the spot or discuss your past projects. Brush up on your problem-solving skills, and practise coding challenges on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank. We want to see how you approach problems and apply your knowledge, so having a few coding examples up your sleeve will definitely help!
✨Bring Your Portfolio to Life
Prepare a portfolio that highlights your coding projects—don't just list them! Be ready to explain your thought process, the technologies used, and any challenges you faced. It’s not just about the final product; we want to hear how you made it happen, so this narrative will show your depth of understanding and passion for software development.
✨Get Familiar with Technical Questions
Expect some technical questions or scenarios in the interview that assess your understanding of algorithms, data structures, and software design. Practise explaining your coding decisions clearly—it's less about getting the right answer and more about demonstrating your thought process and reasoning skills, which are crucial for growth in an internship.
✨Highlight Your Willingness to Learn
As an intern, your enthusiasm and eagerness to learn are key! During the interview, emphasise your willingness to tackle new challenges and pick up new skills. Companies like Harrington Starr are often looking for candidates who can grow with them, so remind us why you're excited about opportunities to learn and contribute in a team environment.
