At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our Exchange team to build cutting-edge trading backend services and messaging solutions.
- Company: Kraken, a leading cryptocurrency exchange with a global presence.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible work options, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with a focus on innovation and career advancement.
- Why this job: Make an impact in the fast-paced world of trading technology and cryptocurrency.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in modern C++, experience with low-latency systems, and strong problem-solving skills.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.
The team Join our Exchange team and start building the internet of money. The Exchange team is responsible for everything to do with the trading backend services such as the matching engine, market data gateways, internal and external APIs, margin systems and various other trading services. The team is located globally and responsibilities are split into sub-teams, working with various tech stacks. Our teams code in C++, Go, Rust, and Python, depending on the product they are contributing to within Kraken. This role sits within the Trading Technologies sub-team, which owns the messaging and transport layer at the core of our trading infrastructure — built on Aeron for ultra-low-latency, reliable UDP messaging. You'll work directly on the systems that move market data, orders, and trade events across our exchange at microsecond scale.
The opportunity Develop and maintain core framework and key software components for the Kraken trading engine, with a focus on the Aeron-based messaging transport layer. Design and implement low-latency, high-availability messaging solutions across unicast, multicast, and IPC transport paths. Tune and profile the full system stack — CPU pinning, NUMA topology, kernel bypass, receive buffer sizing — to squeeze latency out of production infrastructure. Build and extend Aeron Archive integrations for durable message replay and stream persistence. Build and design solutions that mitigate risk, implement security, and protect both systems and data. Write reusable, testable, and efficient code. Collaborate with cross-functional teams and contribute to product roadmap accomplishment. Work collaboratively on a distributed team, leveraging soft skills to effectively communicate and engage with stakeholders.
Skills You Should HODL:
- 5+ years experience working with modern C++
- Prior experience in at least one of the following using Linux — distributed and/or highly-concurrent systems; low-latency and/or high-volume transaction environments
- Deep understanding of low-latency systems fundamentals: lock-free data structures, mechanical sympathy, cache-line discipline, busy-spin vs. park/wake tradeoffs
- Experience with Aeron or comparable messaging transports (e.g. Chronicle Queue, ZeroMQ, LMAX Disruptor) highly desirable
- Experience with UDP networking, multicast, and kernel-bypass techniques (e.g. DPDK, RDMA) a strong plus
- Familiarity with SBE (Simple Binary Encoding) or similar zero-copy serialisation formats a plus
- Experience profiling and optimising code (CPU, memory, network) — perf, flamegraphs, VTune, or equivalent
- High level of proficiency in Python, Rust, and SQL strongly preferred
- Demonstrated knowledge of order types, trading systems, and financial products is highly desirable
- Cryptocurrency/Blockchain familiarity highly preferable
- Proactive mindset with the ability to both prioritize tasks and adhere to aggressive deadlines
- BS in a technical or quantitative field
We consider qualified applicants with criminal histories for employment on our team, assessing candidates in a manner consistent with the requirements of the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance. As an equal opportunity employer, we don’t tolerate discrimination or harassment of any kind. Whether that’s based on race, ethnicity, age, gender identity, citizenship, religion, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, veteran status or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state or local laws.
Senior Software Engineer - C++ - Trading Technologies employer: Kraken
At Kraken, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration within our globally distributed teams. As a Senior Software Engineer in the Trading Technologies sub-team, you'll have the opportunity to work on cutting-edge low-latency systems while enjoying comprehensive benefits, professional growth opportunities, and a commitment to diversity and inclusion. Join us in building the future of finance and be part of a team that values your contributions and supports your career development.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Software Engineer - C++ - Trading Technologies
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current employees at Kraken or in the trading tech space on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give you insider info and maybe even a referral, which can really boost your chances.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! If you’ve got a GitHub or personal project that showcases your C++ prowess or low-latency systems work, make sure to highlight it during interviews. It’s a great way to demonstrate your hands-on experience.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for technical interviews by brushing up on your coding skills and system design knowledge. Practice common algorithms and low-latency system concepts, as they’ll likely come up in discussions with the team.
✨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 the Kraken team.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Software Engineer - C++ - Trading Technologies
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior Software Engineer role. Highlight your experience with C++ and any relevant projects that showcase your skills in low-latency systems and messaging transports like Aeron.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about trading technologies and how your background aligns with our mission at StudySmarter. Be genuine and let your personality come through.
Showcase Your Technical Skills:Don’t just list your skills; demonstrate them! Include specific examples of how you've used modern C++ in high-volume environments or any experience with profiling and optimising code. We love seeing real-world applications of your expertise.
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 you’re keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Kraken
✨Know Your C++ Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your C++ skills, especially the modern features. Be ready to discuss your experience with low-latency systems and how you've tackled challenges in high-volume transaction environments.
✨Understand the Trading Landscape
Familiarise yourself with trading systems, order types, and financial products. Having a solid grasp of cryptocurrency and blockchain concepts will give you an edge and show your genuine interest in the role.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect deep dives into topics like lock-free data structures and cache-line discipline. Practise explaining your thought process when optimising code and tuning system performance, as this will demonstrate your expertise.
✨Showcase Your Collaboration Skills
Since you'll be working with cross-functional teams, be prepared to discuss how you've effectively communicated and engaged with stakeholders in previous roles. Highlight any experiences where your soft skills made a difference.
