At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and build high-performance Java services for trading APIs.
- Company: Dynamic fintech company focused on innovative trading solutions.
- Benefits: Strong salary, bonus, flexible benefits, and hybrid working model.
- Other info: Fast-paced environment with opportunities for ownership and growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on client-facing trading infrastructure and shape platform capabilities.
- Qualifications: Strong Java skills and experience with real-time or distributed systems.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.
Location: London (Hybrid)
Compensation: Strong base + bonus + flexible benefits
The Role
This is a front-office engineering role, not a generic backend position. You’ll be building institutional-grade trading connectivity, sitting directly on the execution pathway between clients and the market. The platform you’ll work on handles:
- Real-time order flow
- Client API integrations
- Low-latency trading connectivity (FIX + modern APIs)
This is revenue-impacting infrastructure, not internal tooling.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Designing and building high-performance Java services powering trading APIs
- Developing and optimising FIX connectivity for institutional clients
- Owning end-to-end delivery — from design through to production
- Improving latency, throughput, and system resilience
- Working closely with product and commercial teams on client-driven requirements
- Building scalable, cloud-native services with strong observability and automation
Tech Environment
- Java (core, concurrency, multithreading)
- Spring / Spring Boot
- FIX Protocol / API connectivity
- Event-driven / distributed systems
- AWS / cloud-native architecture
- Linux production environments
What They’re Looking For
- Strong Java engineering fundamentals in real-time or distributed systems
- Experience building external-facing APIs or connectivity layers
- Understanding of performance optimisation and system design under load
- Exposure to trading systems, fintech, or low-latency environments is highly relevant
- Engineers comfortable operating in high-impact, production-critical systems
Why This Role
- Direct ownership of client-facing trading infrastructure
- Work that sits close to revenue and execution, not buried in internal systems
- A genuine opportunity to build and shape platform capability, not just maintain it
- Environment that values:
- Engineering quality
- Delivery speed
- Pragmatic problem solving
Who This Suits
- Engineers already in trading / FIX environments looking for more ownership
- Strong backend engineers wanting to move into capital markets infrastructure
- Developers who prefer high-impact systems over low-stakes microservices work
Working Model
Hybrid: 3 days onsite, 2 remote
Competitive base + bonus + flexible benefits package
Java Engineer (FIX / Trading APIs) in City of London employer: Morgan McKinley
Contact Detail:
Morgan McKinley Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Java Engineer (FIX / Trading APIs) in City of London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in the trading and fintech space on LinkedIn. Join relevant groups and participate in discussions to get your name out there.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for technical interviews by brushing up on your Java fundamentals and system design principles. Practice coding challenges that focus on real-time systems and APIs to show off your skills.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just apply through job boards; head over to our website and submit your application directly. It shows initiative and gives you a better chance of standing out!
✨Tip Number 4
Be ready to discuss your past projects in detail, especially those involving low-latency trading or FIX connectivity. Highlight how you’ve improved performance and resilience in your previous roles.
We think you need these skills to ace Java Engineer (FIX / Trading APIs) in City of London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your Java engineering skills and experience with trading APIs. We want to see how your background aligns with the role, so don’t be shy about showcasing relevant projects or achievements!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re excited about this role and how your experience in real-time systems and FIX connectivity makes you a perfect fit for us. Keep it engaging and personal!
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills: In your application, give examples of how you've tackled challenges in high-impact systems. We love engineers who can think on their feet, so share any experiences that demonstrate your ability to optimise performance under load.
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 to join our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Morgan McKinley
✨Know Your Java Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your Java fundamentals, especially around concurrency and multithreading. Be ready to discuss how you've applied these concepts in real-time or distributed systems, as this role demands a solid understanding of high-performance Java services.
✨Familiarise Yourself with FIX Protocol
Since the role involves developing and optimising FIX connectivity, it’s crucial to have a good grasp of the FIX protocol. Prepare to talk about any past experiences you have with trading systems or external-facing APIs, and how you’ve tackled performance optimisation in those contexts.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
This position values pragmatic problem-solving, so be ready to share examples of challenges you've faced in high-impact, production-critical systems. Think about specific instances where you improved latency or system resilience and how you approached those situations.
✨Understand the Business Impact
Since this role sits close to revenue and execution, it’s important to convey an understanding of how your work impacts the business. Be prepared to discuss how your engineering decisions can affect client satisfaction and overall trading performance.