At a Glance
- Tasks: Evolve trading platforms and collaborate directly with traders and leadership in a dynamic environment.
- Company: Established systematic hedge fund with a strong engineering focus.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, up to 100% bonus, and a collaborative culture.
- Other info: Small team with direct access to leadership and excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make an immediate impact on live trading systems and shape future developments.
- Qualifications: Degree in STEM, strong C#/.Net experience, and financial services exposure.
The predicted salary is between 120000 - 160000 £ per year.
My client is a long-established systematic hedge fund, just under 20 people in total, with roughly half the business sitting in engineering. They’ve been running for over two decades, quietly successful, and very deliberate about how they build both software and teams.
You’d be sat directly on the trading floor in London, working alongside traders, engineers, and the CEO day to day. It’s a tight-knit environment where technology isn’t a support function, it is the business. The systems you’ll be working on are the ones executing trades in live markets.
The role itself sits right at the centre of that. You’ll be evolving a long-lived execution platform while contributing to a broader modernisation effort. Day to day, that means a mix of careful refactoring, incremental improvements, and responding to real-time trading needs. You’ll be speaking directly with end users, making changes that have immediate impact, and shaping how the platform develops longer term.
Non-Negotiables- Degree in STEM subject (Computer Science, Maths, Physics or similar)
- 2:1 or above (or equivalent)
- C# / .Net (strong production experience)
- SQL / relational databases
- Financial services engineering (direct exposure required)
- Trading systems or execution platforms
- Hedge fund / systematic trading environment
- Algorithmic trading software development
- Software testing and safe refactoring practices
- Clear technical communication (working with traders and senior stakeholders)
- C#.NET Framework
- SQL Server
- WinForms desktop applications
- Azure
- Kafka
- Automated testing frameworks
- Legacy platform modernisation
- Futures, options, or crypto markets
- Python
- DevOps tooling
- High-availability systems
- Large-scale refactoring work
- Containerisation (Docker)
This is one of those environments where the gap between engineering and trading doesn’t really exist. You’ll be sat with the people using what you build, which changes the nature of the work quite a bit.
There’s a genuine mix of challenges here. Part of the role is careful, considered work on an established platform that’s been evolving for years. The other side is contributing to where it goes next, with plans around modernising the architecture and improving how new strategies are built and deployed.
It’s also a small team, which means your work doesn’t disappear into a backlog. You’ll see the outcome of what you build, and you’ll have a say in how things are done. Access to leadership is direct, and expectations are high, both technically and academically.
Employee Benefits- Bonus up to 100% of base salary
- Highly collaborative, front-office environment
- Direct access to traders and senior leadership
- Long-term, engineering-led culture
Senior Software Engineer in Cheltenham employer: Prism Digital
Join a dynamic and collaborative environment at our long-established systematic hedge fund in the heart of London, where technology is integral to our trading operations. As a Senior Software Engineer, you'll work directly with traders and senior leadership, allowing you to see the immediate impact of your contributions while engaging in meaningful projects that shape the future of our execution platform. With a strong focus on employee growth and a culture that values engineering excellence, this is an exceptional opportunity for those looking to make a significant difference in a tight-knit team.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Software Engineer in Cheltenham
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend meetups, conferences, or even casual coffee chats. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your projects, especially those related to C#/.Net and SQL Server. Having tangible examples of your work can really set you apart when you're chatting with potential employers.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for technical interviews by practising coding challenges and system design questions. Brush up on your algorithmic trading knowledge too! The more confident you are in your skills, the better you'll perform when it counts.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got some fantastic opportunities waiting for you, and applying directly can sometimes give you an edge. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Software Engineer in Cheltenham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Skills:Make sure to highlight your experience with C# and SQL Server right from the get-go. We want to see how your skills align with our needs, so don’t hold back on showcasing your technical prowess!
Tailor Your Application:Take a moment to customise your application for this role. Mention your experience in financial services and any exposure to trading systems. We love seeing candidates who understand the unique challenges of our industry.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it straightforward. Use clear language to communicate your experiences and achievements. Remember, we’re looking for someone who can communicate effectively with both traders and engineers.
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 on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Prism Digital
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in C# and .NET, as well as SQL Server. Brush up on your knowledge of algorithmic trading systems and financial services engineering. Be ready to discuss specific projects you've worked on that relate to these technologies.
✨Understand the Business
Since this role sits at the intersection of engineering and trading, it’s crucial to understand how hedge funds operate. Familiarise yourself with systematic trading and execution platforms. This will help you speak the same language as traders and show that you’re genuinely interested in the business side of things.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect to face technical questions that test your problem-solving skills and coding abilities. Practice coding challenges related to refactoring and modernising legacy systems. Being able to articulate your thought process clearly will impress your interviewers.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
In a tight-knit environment like this, clear communication is key. Be prepared to demonstrate how you’ve effectively communicated with both technical and non-technical stakeholders in the past. Share examples where your communication made a difference in project outcomes.
