At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and develop innovative post-trade technology solutions using Java and modern frameworks.
- Company: Join a leading tech firm in the capital markets with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Earn up to £130,000, enjoy hybrid work, and access private healthcare.
- Other info: Work with cutting-edge tech and mentor a dynamic team.
- Why this job: Fast-track your career to Head of Engineering in just 24 months!
- Qualifications: 7+ years of Java experience and strong knowledge of financial services.
The predicted salary is between 130000 - 130000 € per year.
This is a rare opportunity to join a specialist post-trade technology firm operating at the heart of the capital markets space. Trusted by some of the most sophisticated participants in the industry, this business has built a reputation for delivering mission‑critical clearing and prime brokerage technology that demands both precision and performance. The engineering team is lean, expert and highly collaborative — with a culture that treats technology as a genuine business differentiator rather than a support function.
As a Senior Java Developer, you will take a central role in building and evolving the firm's post‑trade technology platform — including in‑house systems, APIs, client reporting tools and the client web portal. You will also be responsible for customising and extending a third‑party trading system to meet complex business requirements. Working closely with Client Services and Product Management, you will translate demanding, real‑world requirements into scalable, high‑quality software solutions.
Critically, this role carries an explicit pathway to Head of Engineering. Depending on organisational growth and individual performance, that transition is anticipated within 24 months — making this an exceptional opportunity for a senior developer ready to step into engineering leadership.
What You'll Be Doing
- Designing, developing and maintaining in‑house systems, APIs, reporting tools and the client web portal
- Customising and extending third‑party trading systems to meet business requirements
- Writing clean, well‑tested, production‑grade code following SOLID principles, Design Patterns and Clean Code practices
- Applying TDD and BDD methodologies using JUnit, Spock and Mockito
- Contributing to and improving code review standards across the team
- Liaising directly with Client Services and Product Management to understand requirements and propose solutions
- Managing and mentoring a small team of Java developers, supporting their growth and career development
- Working alongside offshore developers, maintaining clear communication across time zones
- Leveraging AI tooling within the SDLC to drive productivity and quality
What We're Looking For
- 7+ years' Java development experience within a Financial Services firm
- Strong hands‑on expertise in Java 11+, Spring/Spring Boot, multithreading, performance tuning and RMI
- Capital Markets domain knowledge — Clearing, Prime Brokerage or similar post‑trade experience
- Solid grounding in TDD, BDD, Agile and automated builds/deployments
- Experience with CI/CD toolchains (GitHub, Azure DevOps, Jenkins) and deployment management
- Proficiency with Git, Maven, JUnit/Spock and Mockito
- Microservices architecture knowledge
- Strong understanding and application of SOLID, Design Patterns and Clean Code
- Ability to communicate clearly with both technical peers and non‑technical stakeholders
- Cloud platform exposure (AWS, Azure or GCP)
- Desirable: Groovy, FpML, FIX/FIXML, REST, JSON, Message Queuing
- Desirable: experience leading a developer team or working with offshore teams
- Right to work in the UK without sponsorship
What's on Offer
- Up to £130,000 basic
- Performance‑related bonus
- Clear and explicit pathway to Head of Engineering within ~24 months
- Hybrid working – 3 days per week onsite
- Private healthcare, pension, life assurance and critical illness cover
- 100% cloud‑based, modern tech stack with Azure AI Cognitive Services integration
- A business that values engineering as a core differentiator
If you would like to have a confidential conversation and find out more about this opportunity, please get in touch with Con Lam at Harrington Starr, or click the apply button below.
Senior Software Developer (Path to Head of Engineering) employer: Harrington Starr
Join a leading post-trade technology firm at the forefront of capital markets, where your expertise as a Senior Software Developer will be valued and rewarded. With a clear pathway to Head of Engineering within 24 months, you will thrive in a collaborative culture that prioritises engineering excellence and innovation. Enjoy hybrid working, competitive compensation, and comprehensive benefits, all while contributing to mission-critical technology that shapes the industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Software Developer (Path to Head of Engineering)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, especially those who work in capital markets or tech. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings and even referrals.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Consider building a small project or contributing to open-source software that showcases your Java and Spring Boot expertise. This not only boosts your portfolio but also gives you something tangible to discuss in interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for technical interviews by brushing up on TDD, BDD, and design patterns. Practice coding challenges on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to sharpen your problem-solving skills and get comfortable with whiteboard coding.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged with our company.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Software Developer (Path to Head of Engineering)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV highlights your Java development experience and any relevant projects you've worked on. We want to see how your skills align with the role, so don’t be shy about showcasing your expertise in Spring Boot, microservices, and TDD.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're excited about this opportunity and how your background in capital markets makes you a perfect fit. We love seeing genuine enthusiasm for the role and our company.
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills:In your application, highlight specific examples where you've tackled complex problems or improved processes. We’re looking for someone who can translate real-world requirements into high-quality software solutions, so let us know how you've done that in the past!
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 us you’re keen to join our team at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at Harrington Starr
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your Java, Spring Boot, and Microservices knowledge. Be ready to discuss your experience with TDD and BDD methodologies, as well as how you've applied SOLID principles in your past projects. This role is all about precision and performance, so showcasing your technical expertise is key!
✨Showcase Your Leadership Potential
Since this position has a clear path to Head of Engineering, it's important to demonstrate your leadership skills. Prepare examples of how you've managed or mentored teams in the past, and be ready to discuss how you would support the growth of junior developers in your future role.
✨Understand the Business Context
Familiarise yourself with the capital markets and post-trade technology landscape. Being able to speak knowledgeably about how your work impacts the business will set you apart. Think about how you've translated complex requirements into scalable solutions in your previous roles.
✨Communicate Clearly and Confidently
You'll need to liaise with both technical peers and non-technical stakeholders, so practice explaining your ideas clearly. Use examples from your experience to illustrate your points, and don't shy away from asking questions to show your engagement and interest in the role.
