At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and develop high-performance data solutions using kdb+ and q.
- Company: Join KX, a leader in data-driven decision-making for top global companies.
- Benefits: Enjoy private healthcare, enhanced parental leave, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth in a dynamic, collaborative team.
- Why this job: Tackle complex challenges and make an impact across various industries.
- Qualifications: 3+ years of kdb+/q development experience and strong problem-solving skills.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
KX software powers the time-aware data-driven decisions that enable fast-moving companies to outpace competitors, realising the full potential of their AI investments.
The KX platform delivers transformational value by addressing data challenges related to completeness, timeliness and efficiency, ensuring companies understand change over time and can achieve faster, more accurate insights at any scale, cost-effectively.
KX is essential to the operations of the world's top investment banks, aerospace and defence, high-tech manufacturing, healthcare and life sciences, automotive and fleet telematics organisations.
The company has established offices and a robust customer base across North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific.
About the Role
KX is seeking an experienced kdb+ Developer to join our Professional Services team, supporting the development and delivery of high-performance data solutions for our customers.
This is a hands-on engineering role suited to someone with at least three years of practical kdb+/q development experience who enjoys solving complex technical problems, working with large datasets and building reliable, high-performance applications.
You will work alongside KX engineers, technical specialists and customer teams to design, develop, optimise and maintain data-driven solutions.
The role offers an opportunity to apply your kdb+ skills beyond traditional financial services applications, working on technically challenging projects where performance, reliability and security are important.
Key Responsibilities
- Design, develop, test and maintain applications and data processing solutions using kdb+ and q.
- Develop and optimise real-time and historical data processing, storage and analytical capabilities.
- Build and maintain data ingestion pipelines, queries and interfaces to other systems.
- Investigate and resolve technical issues, including performance bottlenecks, data integrity problems and application defects.
- Collaborate with KX colleagues and customer engineering teams to translate technical requirements into working solutions.
- Contribute to solution design, code reviews, testing and technical documentation.
- Follow established software development practices, including version control, testing, deployment and release management.
- Support the delivery and ongoing improvement of reliable, maintainable and secure software solutions.
Essential Skills and Experience
- Minimum 3 years of hands-on commercial experience developing applications using kdb+ and q.
- Strong understanding of the q programming language, kdb+ data structures and query optimisation.
- Practical experience working with time-series data and real-time or large-scale data processing.
- Experience developing, debugging and optimising kdb+ applications.
- Proficiency working in Unix/Linux environments.
- Familiarity with Git, software development lifecycles and standard development practices.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to investigate and resolve complex technical issues.
- Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with other engineers and technical teams.
- Clear communication skills and confidence engaging directly with customers and technical stakeholders.
Desirable Skills and Experience
- Proficiency in Python or other programming languages.
- Experience integrating kdb+ with external applications, APIs and data sources.
- Familiarity with cloud technologies such as AWS, Azure or GCP.
- Experience with containerisation, CI/CD pipelines and automated testing.
- Experience delivering software in Defence, Government, aerospace or other regulated environments.
- Understanding of secure software development practices and working within security-controlled environments.
- Location
Candidates not already based in Lincolnshire must be willing to relocate/commute two to three times weekly.
Security Requirements
Due to the nature of the work and security requirements, this role is open to UK nationals only.
Applicants must be able to evidence UK nationality and satisfy the relevant vetting requirements.
Existing security clearance is advantageous but is not a prerequisite.
Why Choose KX
Data Driven: We lead with instinct and follow fact.
Naturally Curious: We lean in, listen and learn fast.
All In
- We take ownership, take on challenges and give it our all
- Private healthcare package and Employee Assistance Programme
- Enhanced maternity and paternity package
- #J-18808-Ljbffr
KDB Developer employer: Kx
KX is an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic work culture, encouraging innovation and collaboration within its Finance team. With a focus on employee growth, KX offers ample opportunities for professional development while ensuring a supportive environment for its leaders to thrive. Located in a vibrant area, the company provides unique advantages such as flexible working arrangements and a commitment to work-life balance, making it an ideal place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land KDB Developer
✨Join Local Tech Meetups
Get out there and mingle with fellow developers by joining local tech meetups. It’s a fantastic way to meet people who might be working at Kx or know someone who does. Plus, you can pick up some trendy tech skills and trends while you're at it!
✨Contribute to Open Source Projects
Show off your coding chops by jumping into open-source projects. Not only does this give you practical experience, but it also gets you noticed in the dev community. You'll create a killer portfolio that speaks volumes about your skills to Kx.
✨Tap into Online Developer Communities
Don’t underestimate the power of online developer communities like GitHub, Stack Overflow, and even Reddit. Participate in discussions, share your projects, and build your visibility. We can often find opportunities through these channels that can lead to a full-time gig at companies like Kx.
✨Explore Job Boards Specifically for Tech Roles
Keep your eyes peeled on job boards that focus on tech roles. Sites like TechCareers or Stack Overflow Jobs can often have listings for companies like Kx that might not show up on broader job sites. Make it a habit to check these regularly, and don’t hesitate to apply directly through our website!
We think you need these skills to ace KDB Developer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show off your coding skills:When applying for a software engineering role, it's super important to showcase your coding skills. Make sure your CV includes your tech stack, any relevant programming languages you’re comfortable with, and examples of projects you've worked on. If you have a GitHub profile, link it up! We love to see code in action.
Tailor your portfolio:For a full-time role, we’d expect to see some solid examples of your work in your portfolio. Make sure to include at least two or three projects that highlight your problem-solving skills and your ability to work with different technologies. Focus on the projects that are most relevant to the position at Kx.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Kx and how your skills align with the role. Show us your passion for software development. We dig enthusiastic candidates who understand the value of collaboration and continuous learning!
Be clear and concise:When it comes to writing your CV and cover letter, clarity is key. Avoid jargon that could confuse us and stick to simple, direct language. Highlight your achievements with quantifiable results where possible, and keep everything easy to read. A well-organised application goes a long way!
How to prepare for a job interview at Kx
✨Brush Up on Your Coding Skills
For a full-time software engineering role, it's crucial that we stay sharp with our coding abilities. Expect technical questions that might involve solving problems on the spot or discussing algorithms. Practise on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to get comfortable with the types of questions that often come up.
✨Know Your Tools and Frameworks
Make sure we’re well-acquainted with the tools and technologies listed in the job description. Familiarise ourselves with any specific frameworks or programming languages mentioned. If Kx uses React or Node.js, for instance, be ready to discuss how we’ve used them in previous projects or coursework.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Bring along a portfolio that highlights our best work. This could be code samples, GitHub repositories, or any side projects we’ve built. Make sure we can talk through our thought process for each project, especially the challenges we faced and how we solved them—this shows our problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
While technical skills are key, full-time positions also require cultural fit. Be ready to discuss our previous experiences and how we handle teamwork, conflict, and deadlines. Brush up on the STAR method—Situation, Task, Action, Result—to clearly articulate our past experiences when discussing how we've contributed to a team.
