Head of Research Platform Engineering in London

Head of Research Platform Engineering in London

London Full-Time 80000 - 98000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
Orbis Group

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead the development of a next-gen research platform for investment teams.
  • Company: Global investment organisation undergoing a major tech transformation.
  • Benefits: Executive sponsorship, greenfield project, and clear career progression.
  • Other info: Opportunity to build a high-calibre engineering team.
  • Why this job: Shape technology strategy and tackle complex engineering challenges.
  • Qualifications: Experience in large-scale platforms, strong technical leadership, and Python/Java skills.

The predicted salary is between 80000 - 98000 £ per year.

We're partnering with a global investment organisation undertaking a major multi-year transformation of its quantitative research and investment technology capabilities. This is a rare opportunity to lead the build-out of a next-generation research platform that will become the foundation for how investment teams develop, test, deploy and manage quantitative strategies at scale. The organisation is investing heavily in this area and is looking for a senior engineering leader who can combine deep technical expertise with the ability to shape platform strategy, architecture and team growth.

What you'll be working on:

  • Building a firm-wide quantitative research and analytics platform from the ground up
  • Developing capabilities across backtesting, signal generation, model lifecycle management and productionisation
  • Creating a scalable platform used by researchers, data scientists and investment teams globally
  • Driving architecture decisions around build vs buy and defining the long-term technology roadmap
  • Working closely with senior investment and technology leadership on a highly visible initiative
  • Helping build and lead a high-calibre engineering organisation as the platform grows

What we're looking for:

  • Experience building large-scale research, analytics, quant or investment platforms
  • Strong background in platform architecture and distributed systems
  • Deep understanding of the software lifecycle from research through to production deployment
  • Strong technical leadership combined with a hands-on mindset
  • Python and/or Java expertise, with exposure to modern cloud and data technologies

Why this opportunity stands out:

  • Significant executive sponsorship and investment
  • Greenfield platform build with long-term ownership
  • Opportunity to shape both technology strategy and team structure
  • Highly technical environment solving complex engineering challenges
  • Clear progression into a larger leadership role as the organisation scales

For a confidential discussion, please get in touch.

Head of Research Platform Engineering in London employer: Orbis Group

Join a forward-thinking global investment organisation that prioritises innovation and technical excellence. As the Head of Research Platform Engineering, you'll be at the forefront of building a next-generation research platform, with significant executive support and investment in your vision. The company fosters a collaborative work culture that encourages professional growth, offering clear pathways to advance into larger leadership roles while tackling complex engineering challenges in a highly technical environment.

Orbis Group

Contact Details:

Orbis Group Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Head of Research Platform Engineering in London

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We think you need these skills to ace Head of Research Platform Engineering in London

Quantitative Research
Analytics Platform Development
Backtesting
Signal Generation
Model Lifecycle Management
Productionisation
Platform Architecture

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 Orbis Group.

Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Orbis Group 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 Orbis Group

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 Orbis Group 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.