At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the design and implementation of high-performance trading systems with microsecond precision.
- Company: Join a high-growth prediction markets trading firm with major institutional partnerships.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, attractive bonuses, and comprehensive benefits package.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth in a dynamic, innovative environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in financial markets while working with cutting-edge technology.
- Qualifications: 8+ years in software engineering with expertise in low-latency distributed systems.
The predicted salary is between 100000 - 135000 £ per year.
Director-level technical leadership role in a high-growth prediction markets trading firm.
Core stack: Java, Aeron, Hydra, Kafka - exchange and clearing infrastructure at microsecond precision.
Hybrid - 3 days in the Belfast office. Salary: £100,000 - £135,000 + highly attractive bonus and benefits package.
8+ years experience required - deep low-latency distributed systems background essential.
About the Company:
Our client is building the premier prediction market platform in partnership with major institutional players in global financial markets. Their platform empowers traders to take positions on real-world events, generating market-driven forecasts that turn intuition into insight for leaders and decision makers. The engineering team operates at the frontier -- building exchange and clearing infrastructure that processes at genuine institutional scale with the highest standards of financial integrity.
The Role:
This is a Director-level technical leadership role focused on the evolution of the firm's low-latency, high-throughput exchange and clearing systems. You will help architect the core infrastructure, drive system design decisions, and deliver hands-on contributions across performance, scalability, and reliability. This role is designed for an engineer who thrives on solving hard problems in financial markets, has deep expertise in low-latency systems, and can operate with microsecond precision at scale while maintaining the highest standards of financial integrity.
Key Responsibilities:
- Help architect, implement and maintain core exchange and clearing infrastructure, ensuring it is performant, scalable and ultra-reliable.
- Provide technical leadership and hands-on contributions to system design patterns, frameworks, protocols and data architectures.
- Build ultra-low-latency and high-throughput messaging architecture using Aeron and Hydra frameworks.
- Design storage and retrieval patterns for market data, trade history, positions and audit trails at high volume.
- Collaborate with the Product team and stakeholders to design technical solutions for new financial products.
- Participate in on-call rotations and respond to production incidents requiring deep technical troubleshooting.
- Set and uphold engineering standards across the platform, mentoring less senior engineers where appropriate.
What You'll Need:
- 8+ years of professional software engineering experience building high-performance, low-latency distributed systems.
- Expert-level Java proficiency including concurrency primitives, memory management, JVM internals and performance optimisation.
- Proven experience with Aeron, Hydra or comparable low-latency messaging frameworks.
- Track record of building systems handling 100,000+ messages/second, sub-millisecond p99 latency and 99.99%+ uptime.
- Experience with financial markets technology order books, matching algorithms and derivatives products.
- Degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering or a related discipline.
Desirable / Nice to Have:
- Direct experience with prediction markets, binary options or exchange-level clearing systems.
- Exposure to financial data architecture at scale -- trade history, positions, audit trails.
Why Apply?
- £100,000 - £135,000 salary with a highly attractive bonus and benefits package.
- Director-level technical leadership with genuine architectural influence not a management track.
- Work on exchange-grade infrastructure at institutional scale with microsecond precision.
- Join a well-backed, high-growth firm at a formative stage with major institutional backing.
- Build alongside engineers from the top tier of global financial markets technology.
Please note you need eligibility to work in the UK. No visas are provided.
Java Specialist in Belfast employer: Ocho
Join a dynamic and innovative digital consultancy that champions a remote-first work culture, offering exceptional benefits such as a competitive salary, generous annual leave, and a commitment to professional development. With a focus on quality and collaboration, you'll thrive in an environment that values your expertise and provides the autonomy to shape QA processes while working on complex, multi-component systems alongside a talented team in Northern Ireland.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Java Specialist in Belfast
✨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.
✨Connect on Professional Platforms
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.
✨Apply Directly and Be Proactive
Don’t shy away from reaching out directly to firms like Ocho. Use their websites and apply through them, but also consider following up with a polite email to express your enthusiasm. Being proactive can make a huge difference in getting noticed in the competitive financial services sector.
We think you need these skills to ace Java Specialist in Belfast
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 Ocho.
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 Ocho'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 Ocho
✨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 Ocho.
✨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 Ocho 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 Ocho 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.
