At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead Java development for a critical risk platform in finance.
- Company: Join the London Stock Exchange Group, a global leader in financial markets.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, healthcare, retirement planning, and paid volunteering days.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team that values innovation and sustainability.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on risk calculations and shape the future of finance technology.
- Qualifications: Strong Java skills and experience in risk or analytics platforms required.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
ROLE PROFILE: CDSClear is responsible for clearing Credit Default Swap (CDS) indices, single names and options across European, US and Asian markets. Risk is a core capability of the service, supporting intraday and overnight batch margin calculations, member‑facing what‑if simulations, and pricing analytics. This contract role sits within CDSClear Risk Technology, focused on the Java‑based risk platform and risk engine that delivers quantitative margin models at scale in a highly regulated environment.
ROLE SUMMARY: The role is suited to experienced engineers who have worked on risk, pricing or analytics platforms in an investment bank, CCP or similar financial services environment. You will work on systems that sit at the core of the clearing service, where correctness, performance, resilience and operational control are essential. You will help build and implement the platform components and execution patterns that allow quantitative risk models to run reliably in production, contributing directly to both system behaviour and overall platform direction. This is a Lead Individual Contributor (IC) role: highly hands‑on, with significant influence over design and technical direction, and an expectation of strong ownership across the end‑to‑end lifecycle of the systems you work on.
Key Responsibilities
- Act as a Lead Java Engineer within the CDSClear Risk Development team, contributing across all stages of the SDLC
- Design, implement and evolve core risk‑engine components supporting intraday and overnight batch margin calculations
- Contribute to the implementation of quantitative risk models by translating analytic requirements into production‑grade system behaviour
- Provide technical leadership across Risk calculation orchestration
- Integration of market data, trade data, reference data and model parameters
- Performance, scalability, determinism and failure handling
- Own delivery of business requirements through development, testing and controlled production release
- Drive evolution of the risk platform, combining incremental improvements with more substantial architectural step‑changes, while maintaining a strong focus on delivery, quality and maintainability
- Collaborate with infrastructure, security and DevOps teams to deliver end‑to‑end solutions
- Participate in third‑line system support, including out‑of‑hours rota where required
Candidate Profile / Key Skills
- Strong server‑side Java engineering experience (Java 11+; Java 17+ preferred) using Spring / Spring Boot
- Ability to understand quantitative models and make informed implementation trade‑offs when integrating them into production systems
- Practical experience contributing to or shaping a risk‑engine architecture capable of executing computationally intensive models at scale
- Strong understanding of enterprise platform concerns, including: Performance and scalability, Resilience and recovery, Auditability, controls and operational readiness
- Comfortable working in a regulated / controlled environment with disciplined SDLC and production change processes
- Clear communicator with the ability to influence technical decisions through expertise and collaboration
- Ownership mindset, with a drive to improve quality, robustness and long‑term maintainability of the platform
- An interest in modern engineering productivity approaches, including the efficient use of AI‑assisted tooling (e.g. Copilot‑style tools) to aid codebase comprehension, documentation & delivery — applied appropriately within a controlled environment
Technical Environment (Indicative)
- Java, Spring Boot, Maven, IntelliJ
- Messaging: JMS, ActiveMQ / IBM MQ, Kafka
- Linux‑based server environments
- CI/CD: GitLab, JUnit, Mockito, Cucumber
- Git‑based source control
Preferred / Nice to Have
- Experience working alongside C++ or other native analytics libraries
- Familiarity with derivatives products, particularly credit derivatives
- Exposure to cloud or hybrid environments (e.g. AWS)
- Infrastructure‑as‑code or deployment automation (e.g. Terraform, Ansible)
- Monitoring and observability tooling in enterprise environments
Why This Role
This role offers the opportunity to work hands‑on at the heart of a critical risk platform, contributing to systems where correctness, performance and resilience are essential. It combines deep Java engineering with technical leadership, giving scope to influence how quantitative risk calculations are executed in production and to help shape the execution model for CDSClear’s next‑generation risk platform.
Career Stage: Manager
London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG) Information: Join us and be part of a team that values innovation, quality, and continuous improvement. If you're ready to take your career to the next level and make a significant impact, we'd love to hear from you. LSEG is a leading global financial markets infrastructure and data provider. Our purpose is driving financial stability, empowering economies and enabling customers to create sustainable growth. Our purpose is the foundation on which our culture is built. Our values of Integrity, Partnership, Excellence and Change underpin our purpose and set the standard for everything we do, every day. They go to the heart of who we are and guide our decision making and everyday actions. Working with us means that you will be part of a dynamic organisation of 25,000 people across 65 countries. However, we will value your individuality and enable you to bring your true self to work so you can help enrich our diverse workforce. We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer. This means that we do not discriminate on the basis of anyone’s race, religion, colour, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, veteran status, pregnancy or disability, or any other basis protected under applicable law. Conforming with applicable law, we can reasonably accommodate applicants' and employees' religious practices and beliefs, as well as mental health or physical disability needs. You will be part of a collaborative and creative culture where we encourage new ideas. We are committed to sustainability across our global business and we are proud to partner with our customers to help them meet their sustainability objectives. Our charity, the LSEG Foundation provides charitable grants to community groups that help people access economic opportunities and build a secure future with financial independence. Colleagues can get involved through fundraising and volunteering.
LSEG offers a range of tailored benefits and support, including:
- healthcare
- retirement planning
- paid volunteering days
- wellbeing initiatives
Lead Java Engineer (Risk) employer: London Stock Exchange Group
At London Stock Exchange Group, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration. As a Lead Java Engineer in our Risk Platform team, you will have access to unparalleled growth opportunities, working alongside industry experts in a vibrant London setting that champions diversity and professional development. Join us to make a meaningful impact while enjoying competitive benefits and a supportive environment that values your contributions.
Contact Details:
London Stock Exchange Group Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Java Engineer (Risk)
✨Tap into Campus Networks
If you're still in uni, don’t forget to engage with your campus's career services and attend finance-related events. Banks often do presentations and recruitment drives on campus, so put yourself out there and make use of these opportunities to show off your passion for the field.
✨Get Certified
Consider pursuing relevant certifications like the CFA or ACCA while you’re job hunting. They not only beef up your CV but also connect you with professional bodies which can lead to networking opportunities and even job openings in banking and financial services.
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Join finance-focused groups on platforms like LinkedIn and engage in discussions. This can really help you stand out from the crowd, allowing potential employers to see your knowledge and interest in industry trends. Plus, you might stumble upon job postings shared exclusively within the group.
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We think you need these skills to ace Lead Java Engineer (Risk)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers!:In the banking and financial services world, quantifiable achievements are key. Make sure your CV highlights your grades in relevant subjects, any financial certifications you hold, and specific projects where you've delivered measurable results. Employers love to see how your skills translate into real-world success.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Role:When applying for a full-time position, your cover letter should make a direct connection between your experience and the job description. Don't just state your enthusiasm for finance—dive into how your background in banking or financial analysis sets you apart. Let your passion shine through while being specific about what you can bring to London Stock Exchange Group.
Include Relevant Financial Software Experience:If you've worked with financial modelling tools or software like Excel, SAP, or specific analytical tools during your studies or internships, bring that up! Highlighting your proficiency can really make your application pop and show you're ready to hit the ground running in a full-time role.
Research and Reflect:Before hitting that 'apply' button on London Stock Exchange Group's website, do a little digging. Look up their recent projects, values, and culture. Reflecting their ethos in your application can make a huge difference and show you’re genuinely interested in being part of the team!
How to prepare for a job interview at London Stock Exchange Group
✨Brush Up on Financial Analysis Skills
Make sure you're well-versed in financial concepts and analytical techniques relevant to banking and financial services. Get comfortable with tools like Excel for modelling or financial forecasting, as technical questions in this area are common during interviews with London Stock Exchange Group.
✨Prepare for Case Studies
Expect to tackle case studies that demonstrate your problem-solving skills in real-world banking scenarios. Familiarise yourself with the types of problems you might face—think risk assessments or investment evaluations—and be ready to articulate your thought process clearly.
✨Show Your Passion for Finance
Since this is a full-time position, employers at London Stock Exchange Group will be keen to see your genuine interest in finance. Be prepared to discuss recent industry trends or news articles that excite you, showcasing your enthusiasm and engagement with the field.
✨Network with Industry Professionals
Before your interview, reach out to current or former London Stock Exchange Group employees on platforms like LinkedIn. They'll offer unique insights into the company's culture and the interview process, which can give us a delightful edge in showcasing a good fit for the team.
