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- Tasks: Design and optimise low latency Java systems for real-time trading workflows.
- Company: Join a high-performing engineering team in a dynamic trading environment.
- Benefits: Competitive daily rate, hybrid work model, and impactful projects.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on trading systems where milliseconds matter.
- Qualifications: Strong Java experience with low latency systems and real-time data processing.
- Other info: Collaborate closely with quantitative teams in a fast-paced environment.
We’re working with a high-performing engineering team building real-time, high-throughput systems at the core of a complex trading and data platform. This is a hands‑on contract role focused on designing and optimising low latency Java systems that process live market data, power pricing and risk engines, and support high-frequency decision‑making. You’ll be operating in an environment where performance is critical, latency is measurable, and engineering quality directly impacts production systems.
What you’ll be working on:
- Building and optimising low latency, high-throughput Java systems for real-time data and trading workflows
- Designing components within a distributed, event-driven architecture handling large-scale streaming data
- Developing pricing, risk, and data processing systems used in live environments
- Applying advanced techniques in concurrency, GC tuning, memory management, and performance optimisation
- Improving system performance across latency, throughput, and reliability constraints
- Contributing to architecture across data pipelines, streaming systems, and backend services
- Supporting and enhancing production systems in time-critical scenarios
Core requirements:
- Strong experience building low latency systems in Java (ideally Java 17/21+)
- Proven background in high-performance, data-intensive or trading systems
- Deep understanding of JVM internals, concurrency, and performance tuning
- Experience designing and building distributed systems at scale
- Strong experience with real-time data processing and event-driven architectures (e.g. Kafka or similar)
- Ability to reason about latency vs throughput vs consistency trade-offs
- Comfortable working in production-critical environments with real-time constraints
Highly desirable:
- Experience with Aeron, Chronicle or LMAX disruptor
- Experience in electronic trading, pricing, or risk systems
- Knowledge of FIX protocol, order routing, or market connectivity
- Exposure to high-frequency or ultra-low latency environments
- Experience working closely with Quants or front-office stakeholders
- Background across asset classes such as FX, Equities, Commodities or Derivatives
Tech environment (indicative):
- Streaming technologies (Kafka or equivalent)
- Cloud infrastructure (AWS / GCP)
- Observability, performance monitoring, and diagnostics tooling
The environment:
- Fast-paced environment with real production impact
- Close collaboration with quantitative and trading teams
- Hybrid working model (London-based) - 2-3 days per week required in office
Why this contract?
This is a role for engineers who care about how systems behave under pressure. You’ll be working on platforms where:
- Milliseconds (and often microseconds) matter
- System performance is constantly measured and improved
- Your work directly impacts real-time decision making
If you’ve built low latency systems and want to work closer to real trading environments, this is a high-impact contract opportunity.
Senior Java Engineer (Low Latency / Trading Systems) - £950-1150/Day Outside IR35 Contract in London employer: Owen Thomas | Pending B Corp™
Contact Detail:
Owen Thomas | Pending B Corp™ Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Java Engineer (Low Latency / Trading Systems) - £950-1150/Day Outside IR35 Contract in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Attend industry meetups, conferences, or even online webinars. Connecting with folks in the trading and tech space can lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Consider contributing to open-source projects or creating a portfolio showcasing your low latency Java systems. This gives potential employers a taste of what you can do.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just apply anywhere; focus on companies that align with your expertise in high-performance systems. Use our website to find roles that match your skills and interests, making your application stand out.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare for technical interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of JVM internals and concurrency. Practice coding challenges related to real-time data processing to impress your interviewers!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Java Engineer (Low Latency / Trading Systems) - £950-1150/Day Outside IR35 Contract in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience with low latency systems and Java. We want to see how your skills match the job description, so don’t be shy about showcasing your relevant projects!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re passionate about building high-performance systems and how your background aligns with our needs. Keep it concise but impactful!
Showcase Your Technical Skills: When detailing your experience, focus on specific technologies and methodologies you've used, especially around concurrency and performance tuning. We love seeing concrete examples of your work in real-time data processing.
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 this exciting opportunity. Don’t miss out!
How to prepare for a job interview at Owen Thomas | Pending B Corp™
✨Know Your Java Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your Java skills, especially focusing on low latency systems. Be prepared to discuss your experience with Java 17/21+, JVM internals, and performance tuning techniques. They’ll want to see that you can not only code but also optimise for speed and efficiency.
✨Understand the Trading Environment
Familiarise yourself with trading systems and the specific challenges they face, like real-time data processing and event-driven architectures. If you have experience with technologies like Kafka or Aeron, be ready to share how you've used them in past projects.
✨Prepare for Technical Challenges
Expect to tackle some technical problems during the interview. Practice coding challenges that focus on concurrency, memory management, and system performance. Being able to demonstrate your problem-solving skills under pressure will set you apart.
✨Showcase Your Collaboration Skills
Since this role involves working closely with quantitative teams and stakeholders, be prepared to discuss how you’ve collaborated in the past. Highlight any experiences where you’ve had to balance technical requirements with business needs, especially in high-pressure environments.