Senior Lead Software Engineer - C++ Developer in London

Senior Lead Software Engineer - C++ Developer in London

London Full-Time 80000 - 100000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
J.P. Morgan

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead the development of cutting-edge trading technology using C++ and AI practices.
  • Company: Join a top-ranked investment bank with a focus on innovation and diversity.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, inclusive culture, and opportunities for professional growth.
  • Other info: Dynamic team environment with global reach and excellent career advancement potential.
  • Why this job: Make a significant impact in the fast-paced world of finance and technology.
  • Qualifications: Strong C++ skills and a passion for AI-driven development required.

The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.

The Futures & Options Execution Technology team sits within Equities Technology and runs the end-to-end trading technology stack – supporting high-touch, low-touch and no-touch execution – for the #1 ranked FCM. In addition to our core franchise, we deliver critical trading capabilities across other JPMorganChase lines of business. We are in the midst of a significant multi-year investment and modernization program to build new, best-in-class internally developed platforms – replacing a mix of legacy in-house and vendor technologies.

The F&O Exchange Connectivity team sits within F&O Execution Technology. It is a globally distributed team, running proprietary and vendor venue gateways and supporting systems around the world. As a Senior Lead Software Engineer in the F&O Exchange Connectivity team, you will work on our proprietary software for venue connectivity, order management, market data and related systems for Futures & Options markets around the globe.

Job responsibilities

  • Drive significant business impact through your capabilities and contributions.
  • Apply deep technical expertise and problem-solving methodologies to tackle a diverse array of challenges spanning multiple technologies and applications.
  • Use AI-first engineering practices to accelerate C++ development, improve specification quality, increase test coverage, and reduce manual development friction while preserving human control and accountability.
  • Develop, deploy and maintain software that is secure, supportable, stable, reliable, resilient, scalable, predictable and performant (latency and throughput).
  • Work closely with our DevOps and Production Management teams who provide L1/L2 support.
  • Review and debug code written by others.
  • Provide technical guidance and direction to support the F&O business and all F&O technology teams.
  • Drive decisions that influence product design, application functionality, and technical operations and processes.
  • Serve as a function-wide subject matter expert in your areas of focus.
  • Contribute to the JPM engineering community, advocating firmwide frameworks, tools, and SDLC practices.
  • Influence peers and project decision-makers to consider the use and application of leading-edge technologies.

Required qualifications, capabilities, and skills

  • A demonstrable enthusiasm for using AI to accelerate C++ development.
  • Hands-on practical experience of the C++ software lifecycle, including system design, development, automated testing (unit, system, integration, replay), deployment, debugging and maintenance.
  • Advanced knowledge of software applications and technical processes with considerable in-depth knowledge in one or more technical disciplines (e.g., cloud, artificial intelligence, machine learning, mobile, etc.)
  • Ability to tackle design and functionality problems independently with little to no oversight.
  • Knowledge of modern C++ and C++ performance optimization.
  • Knowledge of modern CPU architecture, sockets and networking.
  • Working knowledge of electronic trading order management or market data flow, including recovery, and the financial instruments of any asset class.
  • User-level knowledge of Linux.
  • Ability to work to the quality expectations and SDLC requirements of a major investment bank.
  • Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Mathematics, or a related technical field.

Preferred qualifications, capabilities, and skills

  • Demonstrable experience with spec-driven development leveraging AI agents.
  • Strong C++20+ proficiency, including templates and template metaprogramming.
  • Proven low-latency systems experience (on the order of ~1s from message receive to send).
  • Deep knowledge of modern x86 architecture (CPU micro-architecture, caches, memory hierarchy, NUMA).
  • Expert understanding of market connectivity/protocols: FIX, exchange OMS/market-data protocols, sockets/TCP/IP/UDP, and kernel-bypass NIC APIs (e.g., ef_vi).
  • Expertise designing and testing complex networked software systems, including custom network protocols and corresponding test strategies.
  • Strong domain knowledge in electronic trading (algos/SOR/internalization), derivatives (futures/options), and Linux performance internals (kernel behavior, CPU isolation, core pinning), with a continuous-improvement mindset.

We recognise that our people are our strength and the diverse talents they bring to our global workforce are directly linked to our success. We are an equal opportunity employer and place a high value on diversity and inclusion at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of any protected attribute, including race, religion, colour, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital or veteran status, pregnancy or disability, or any other basis protected under applicable law. We also make reasonable accommodations for applicants' and employees' religious practices and beliefs, as well as mental health or physical disability needs.

Senior Lead Software Engineer - C++ Developer in London employer: J.P. Morgan

At JPMorgan Chase, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration. As a Senior Lead Software Engineer in our Futures & Options Execution Technology team, you will have the opportunity to drive significant business impact while working with cutting-edge technologies in a supportive environment that values diversity and inclusion. We are committed to your professional growth, providing ample opportunities for skill development and career advancement within a globally recognised financial institution.

J.P. Morgan

Contact Details:

J.P. Morgan Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Senior Lead Software Engineer - C++ Developer in London

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in the industry, attend meetups, and connect with people on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.

Tip Number 2

Show off your skills! Create a portfolio or GitHub repository showcasing your C++ projects and any AI-driven solutions you've developed. This gives potential employers a taste of what you can do and sets you apart from the crowd.

Tip Number 3

Prepare for those interviews! Brush up on your technical knowledge, especially around C++ and modern software practices. Practice coding challenges and be ready to discuss your past projects and how you tackled challenges.

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 at StudySmarter.

We think you need these skills to ace Senior Lead Software Engineer - C++ Developer in London

C++ Development
AI Engineering Practices
Software Lifecycle Management
Automated Testing (Unit, System, Integration)
Debugging
C++ Performance Optimization
Modern CPU Architecture

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Passion for C++:Make sure to highlight your enthusiasm for C++ development in your application. We want to see how you've used your skills to tackle challenges and drive business impact, so share specific examples that showcase your expertise!

Tailor Your Application:Don’t just send a generic CV! Tailor your application to reflect the job description. Mention your experience with AI-first engineering practices and how you’ve applied them in past projects. This will help us see how you fit into our team.

Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it clear and concise. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to read through your qualifications and experiences. We appreciate straightforward communication!

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’s super easy to do!

How to prepare for a job interview at J.P. Morgan

Know Your C++ Inside Out

Make sure you brush up on your C++ skills, especially modern C++ features like templates and performance optimisation. Be ready to discuss your hands-on experience with the C++ software lifecycle, including system design and automated testing.

Showcase Your AI Enthusiasm

Since the role emphasises using AI to enhance C++ development, come prepared with examples of how you've applied AI in your projects. Discuss any spec-driven development you've done and how it improved your workflow.

Understand the Financial Landscape

Familiarise yourself with electronic trading concepts, particularly around order management and market data flow. Being able to speak knowledgeably about financial instruments and their relevance will set you apart from other candidates.

Prepare for Technical Challenges

Expect to tackle some technical problems during the interview. Practice debugging code and be ready to explain your thought process. Highlight your ability to work independently on design and functionality issues, as this is crucial for the role.