Engineering Lead (C++) – Low Latency / Trading Systems in London
Engineering Lead (C++) – Low Latency / Trading Systems

Engineering Lead (C++) – Low Latency / Trading Systems in London

London Full-Time 80000 - 100000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
Morgan McKinley

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead a team to enhance a critical low-latency trading platform while coding in C++.
  • Company: Global fintech leader transforming trading and risk management.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, strong benefits, and hybrid working model.
  • Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for meaningful change.
  • Why this job: Make a direct impact on trading performance and drive engineering innovation.
  • Qualifications: Strong C++ experience and familiarity with low-latency systems.

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

Location: London (Hybrid)

Our client is a global fintech operating at scale across trading, risk, and market connectivity. They are hiring an Engineering Lead (C++) to take ownership of a business-critical platform sitting at the heart of real-time trading and risk management.

This is not a pure management role. You will remain hands-on while leading the evolution of a complex, low-latency system that directly impacts trading performance.

You will lead a team responsible for a real-time exposure and hedging platform used by trading desks, quants, and risk teams. The immediate challenge is clear:

  • Improve release maturity and deployment cadence
  • Modernise a complex C++ estate
  • Maintain exceptional uptime and performance standards

This is a high-impact role where engineering decisions directly influence commercial outcomes.

  • Lead and develop a high-performing engineering team
  • Improve release processes, reducing downtime and increasing deployment frequency
  • Collaborate closely with trading, quant, and risk stakeholders
  • Remain hands-on, contributing to production-grade C++ code

Requirements:

  • Strong modern C++ experience in production environments
  • Experience working on low-latency or high-performance systems
  • Comfortable working directly with business stakeholders (trading / risk / product)
  • Exposure to Python is beneficial
  • Experience within trading, risk, or financial systems is valuable but not essential if you’ve solved similar engineering problems in other complex domains.

Direct impact on trading performance and risk management. Opportunity to drive meaningful engineering change.

Compensation:

  • Competitive base salary (Senior / Lead level)
  • Strong benefits package
  • Hybrid working model (London)

Engineering Lead (C++) – Low Latency / Trading Systems in London employer: Morgan McKinley

As a global fintech leader based in London, our client offers an exceptional work environment that fosters innovation and collaboration. Employees benefit from a hybrid working model, competitive salaries, and a strong benefits package, all while being part of a high-performing team that directly influences trading performance and risk management. With ample opportunities for professional growth and the chance to work on cutting-edge low-latency systems, this role is perfect for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment in a dynamic industry.
Morgan McKinley

Contact Detail:

Morgan McKinley Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Engineering Lead (C++) – Low Latency / Trading Systems in London

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the fintech space, especially those who work with trading systems. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral.

Tip Number 2

Show off your skills! If you’ve got a GitHub or portfolio showcasing your C++ projects, make sure to share it during interviews. It’s a great way to demonstrate your hands-on experience and problem-solving abilities.

Tip Number 3

Prepare for technical interviews by brushing up on low-latency system design and performance optimisation. We recommend doing mock interviews with friends or using online platforms to get comfortable with the format.

Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’re always on the lookout for talented individuals like you. Plus, it gives you a better chance of being noticed by our hiring team.

We think you need these skills to ace Engineering Lead (C++) – Low Latency / Trading Systems in London

C++
Low-Latency Systems
High-Performance Systems
Release Management
Deployment Processes
Team Leadership
Collaboration with Stakeholders
Production-Grade Code Development
Modern C++ Experience
Problem-Solving in Complex Domains
Exposure to Python
Understanding of Trading Systems
Risk Management Knowledge

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Hands-On Experience: Make sure to highlight your hands-on experience with C++ and any low-latency systems you've worked on. We want to see how you've tackled real-world challenges, so share specific examples that demonstrate your skills.

Tailor Your Application: Don’t just send a generic CV! Tailor your application to reflect the key responsibilities mentioned in the job description. We love seeing how your experience aligns with our needs, especially around improving release processes and collaborating with stakeholders.

Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and concise. We appreciate straightforward communication, so avoid jargon unless it's relevant. Make it easy for us to see why you’re a great fit for the role!

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for the best chance of getting noticed. It helps us keep track of applications and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy!

How to prepare for a job interview at Morgan McKinley

Know Your C++ Inside Out

Make sure you brush up on your modern C++ skills. Be prepared to discuss specific projects where you've implemented low-latency solutions or optimised performance. They’ll want to see that you can not only talk the talk but also walk the walk when it comes to hands-on coding.

Understand the Business Impact

Since this role directly influences trading performance, it’s crucial to understand how engineering decisions affect commercial outcomes. Do some research on the company’s trading systems and be ready to discuss how your technical choices can drive business success.

Showcase Your Leadership Style

Even though this isn’t a pure management role, they’ll want to know how you lead a team. Prepare examples of how you’ve developed high-performing teams in the past, improved processes, and collaborated with stakeholders. Highlight your ability to balance hands-on work with leadership responsibilities.

Prepare for Technical Challenges

Expect to face technical challenges during the interview. They might ask you to solve problems on the spot or discuss your approach to modernising complex systems. Practise coding problems related to low-latency systems and be ready to explain your thought process clearly.

Engineering Lead (C++) – Low Latency / Trading Systems in London
Morgan McKinley
Location: London

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