Software Engineer (Java)

Software Engineer (Java)

Full-Time 60000 - 72000 € / year (est.) Home office (partial)
IG Group

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Design and build high-performance Java services for real-time trading operations.
  • Company: Join IG Group, a leading fintech innovating across five continents.
  • Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, flexible benefits, private medical cover, and generous holiday allowance.
  • Other info: Hybrid work model with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
  • Why this job: Be part of a team solving complex problems with cutting-edge technology in a dynamic environment.
  • Qualifications: Experience in backend engineering with Java and Kubernetes; a passion for continuous learning.

The predicted salary is between 60000 - 72000 € per year.

IG Group is a FTSE 100 fintech operating across five continents, serving over 1.3m customers and handling billions of dollars in transactions – built on scale, trust, and proof. We didn't pivot to innovation; it's how we've always operated. What that means for the people who work here is real: genuinely complex problems to solve, the technology and resources to tackle them properly, and the kind of scope that's rare in established businesses. The bar is high – bring a curious and forward-thinking mindset and we'll give you the platform to define what comes next. Join us at IG – the future gets built here.

Your team

We are IG UK's Crypto product engineering team, having successfully delivered the company's #1 strategic priority - a fully licensed, FCA-regulated crypto trading platform launched in December 2025. We maintain elite engineering standards through cloud-native AWS architecture, comprehensive observability, and a culture of end-to-end ownership where engineers drive product outcomes, not just technical deliverables.

Your role in the Team's Success

You'll be the engineering force behind services that handle massive transaction volumes, real-time market data, and split-second decision making. Your primary responsibility is designing and building backend systems that are robust, observable, and wickedly fast. You won't just write code – you'll own the full lifecycle from architecture to production, ensuring our systems perform flawlessly when millions of pounds are on the line. You'll leverage AI-assisted development tools as a core part of your workflow β€” we expect engineers to actively embrace AI to multiply their impact.

We believe in "you build it, you run it, you love it" – so if that ownership mindset excites you, keep reading.

What you'll do

  • Design, build, and maintain high-performance Java services (Spring Boot WebFlux/MVC) that handle real-time trading operations and massive data throughput
  • Own the full stack from code to cloud – architect solutions, build CI/CD pipelines, deploy to Kubernetes (AWS EKS), and keep production humming
  • Partner with Product, Design, and Frontend teams to deliver features that move the needle for our clients and business – not just tick boxes
  • Actively participate in product development, from requirements discussions to seeing customers using your software in production
  • Contribute to implementing observability that matters – build monitoring, alerting, and tracing (Grafana, Honeycomb, OpenTelemetry) that catches issues before clients notice them
  • Champion technical excellence in performance, scalability, and security – in fintech, "good enough" isn't good enough
  • Troubleshoot and resolve production incidents with urgency and precision – when something breaks at 3am, you're the person who fixes it (and then makes sure it never breaks again)
  • Contribute to technical discussions, participate in thoughtful code reviews and knowledge sharing
  • Leverage AI-assisted development tools to accelerate delivery, improve code quality, and stay at the cutting edge of modern engineering practices
  • Challenge the status quo – question architectural decisions, propose improvements, and help shape our technical direction

What you'll need for this role

  • Solid backend engineering experience with Java as your weapon of choice (Spring Boot, REST/gRPC, reactive patterns)
  • Battle-tested experience running production workloads on Kubernetes (AWS EKS preferred) – you've debugged pod crashes at midnight and lived to tell the tale
  • Knowledge of relational databases (PostgreSQL) and caching layers (Redis)
  • Understanding of DevOps chops: CI/CD pipelines (GitLab CI), infrastructure-as-code (Terraform), and container orchestration aren't buzzwords to you they're daily tools
  • Experience with distributed systems, microservice architectures, and the observability tooling needed to keep them healthy
  • A security-first mindset baked into how you design and code – not bolted on as an afterthought

Key Qualification Requirements:

  • An ownership mindset that borders on obsessive - you treat every system like you built it with your own money
  • AI-positive mindset - you see AI tools as amplifiers of engineering capability, not replacements, and you're excited to push the boundaries of what's possible with AI-assisted development
  • Drive to continually succeed; always working towards engineering excellence - you advocate for practices like pair programming, test-driven development (TDD), and automated testing not because a process demands it, but because you've seen how they elevate code quality and team capability
  • Strong English-language communication skills and the ability to thrive in globally distributed, cross-functional teams
  • Hunger for continuous learning - you'll gain deep understanding of IG's trading products, financial markets, and the complex regulations that govern them
  • Familiarity with financial services, trading platforms, or crypto/fintech is a plus - but we'll teach you if you bring the engineering firepower
  • Willingness to participate in on-call rotations - production ownership means being there when it counts

This is a hybrid position (3 days onsite, 2 days remote work).

How we work

We try to take a thoughtful approach to our ways of working as a company. We follow a hybrid working model with 3 days in the office -- which we think balances the need to collaborate effectively and connect with each other. When it comes to how we deliver, there are 5 things we want everyone to do to drive high performance, better learning and career satisfaction:

  • Lead and Inspire: Drives trust, alignment, and enthusiasm
  • Think Big: Focus on the problems that most impact commercial outcomes
  • Champion the client: Understand and prioritise client's needs
  • Deliver at pace: Push for fast, sustainable growth
  • Raise the bar: Take ownership, be accountable and share feedback

We believe that diversity is vital to success, it fuels creativity, drives innovation and sets us up for global success. We're committed to building teams with a variety of perspectives and skills to help us realise our vision and strategy, that's why we encourage applications from people with diverse backgrounds and experiences to join us on this journey.

The Perks

Your growth fuels our success! Thrive with tailored development programs, mentoring opportunities with leaders, and clear career progression. Expand your network through committees, sports and social clubs. Enjoy extra time off for volunteering and community work.

  • Competitive salary
  • Flexible Benefits Package on top of your salary (12%)
  • Private medical cover for you and your family
  • Life insurance
  • Contribution to gym memberships
  • 25 Days holiday, with 1 additional day off to celebrate your Birthday & 2 additional days off a year for voluntary work (28 in total)
  • The option to buy or sell holiday days.
  • Unlimited access to the LinkedIn Learning Platform
  • A comprehensive global and local onboarding process
  • Employee-led LGBTQ+, Women’s, Black and Parents & Carers networks with an annual budget for organising events & projects that foster an open, diverse and inclusive culture
  • Option to participate and create ESG initiatives based on IG Brighter Future Fund
  • Enhanced primary (maternity), secondary (paternity), and shared parental pay and leave, as well as a range of support and benefits for parents

Join us for this exciting journey. Apply now!

Software Engineer (Java) employer: IG Group

At IG Group, we pride ourselves on being a leading fintech employer that fosters innovation and excellence. Our hybrid work model promotes collaboration while offering flexibility, and our commitment to employee growth is evident through tailored development programmes and mentoring opportunities. With a vibrant culture that values diversity and inclusion, plus competitive benefits like private medical cover and generous holiday allowances, IG Group is the ideal place for passionate software engineers to thrive and make a meaningful impact in the financial technology landscape.

IG Group

Contact Detail:

IG Group Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🀫

We think this is how you could land Software Engineer (Java)

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to current employees at IG Group on LinkedIn. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for the interview process. A personal connection can give you an edge!

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for technical interviews by brushing up on your Java skills and understanding Spring Boot. Practice coding challenges on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to get into the right mindset.

✨Tip Number 3

Show off your ownership mindset during interviews. Share examples of projects where you took full responsibility, from design to deployment. This aligns perfectly with IG's culture of 'you build it, you run it'.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to highlight your enthusiasm for AI-assisted development tools. Talk about how you've used them in past projects to improve efficiency and code quality. It’s a hot topic at IG, so make sure to mention it!

We think you need these skills to ace Software Engineer (Java)

Java
Spring Boot
REST/gRPC
Reactive Patterns
Kubernetes
AWS EKS
PostgreSQL

Some tips for your application 🫑

Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Software Engineer role. Highlight your Java experience, especially with Spring Boot and any relevant projects you've worked on. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Share your passion for fintech and how you can contribute to our crypto product engineering team. Be sure to mention your ownership mindset and how you embrace AI tools in your work.

Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills:In your application, give examples of complex problems you've solved in past roles. We love engineers who can think big and tackle challenges head-on, so don't hold back on sharing your experiences!

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 this exciting opportunity. Plus, it shows you're keen to join our team!

How to prepare for a job interview at IG Group

✨Know Your Tech Stack

Make sure you’re well-versed in Java, Spring Boot, and the tools mentioned in the job description. Brush up on your knowledge of Kubernetes and AWS EKS, as well as observability tools like Grafana and OpenTelemetry. Being able to discuss your experience with these technologies will show that you're ready to hit the ground running.

✨Show Your Ownership Mindset

Prepare examples that demonstrate your ownership mentality. Talk about projects where you took full responsibility from design to deployment. Highlight how you’ve tackled production issues and improved systems, showing that you don’t just code but care about the entire lifecycle of the product.

✨Embrace AI Tools

Since the role expects you to leverage AI-assisted development tools, be ready to discuss how you've used AI in your previous work. Share specific instances where AI helped you improve code quality or accelerate delivery. This will show that you’re not just keeping up with trends but actively pushing boundaries.

✨Communicate Effectively

Strong communication skills are key, especially in a globally distributed team. Practice explaining complex technical concepts in simple terms. Be prepared to discuss how you’ve collaborated with cross-functional teams in the past, as this will highlight your ability to work well with others and champion client needs.