Staff Software Engineer, Core Exchange

Staff Software Engineer, Core Exchange

Full-Time 80000 - 100000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
Robinhood

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Design and build scalable trading services for our API ecosystem.
  • Company: Join a pioneering finance company on a mission to democratise finance.
  • Benefits: Competitive pay, flexible benefits, mental health support, and generous time off.
  • Other info: Dynamic work environment with opportunities for career growth and innovation.
  • Why this job: Be at the forefront of a historic financial shift and impact traders worldwide.
  • Qualifications: 10+ years in backend engineering with experience in high-performance systems.

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

Join us in building the future of finance. Our mission is to democratize finance for all. An estimated $124 trillion of assets will be inherited by younger generations in the next two decades. The largest transfer of wealth in human history. If you’re ready to be at the epicenter of this historic cultural and financial shift, keep reading.

About The Team & Role

Our Core Exchange team is responsible for all trading interfaces — including the Exchange REST API, FIX API, WebSockets, and market data services. The team’s mission is to deliver a best‑in‑class trading experience for API users, with a relentless focus on latency, reliability, and data correctness. As a Staff Software Engineer, you will help scale our trading infrastructure to meet the evolving needs of our most sophisticated users. This is a high‑impact role for engineers who love low‑latency systems, deeply care about precision, and want to directly shape the tools used by active traders worldwide.

What You’ll Do

  • Design and build performant, reliable, and scalable services for our API trading ecosystem.
  • Optimize low‑latency data flows and trading paths, ensuring correctness under pressure.
  • Own and evolve core components of our REST, FIX, and WebSocket APIs.
  • Collaborate with product, infrastructure, and frontend teams to deliver seamless API solutions.
  • Participate in the team’s on‑call rotation, supporting mission‑critical systems used by our most active clients.
  • Continuously measure, monitor, and improve the trading API experience.

What You Bring

  • 10+ years of backend engineering experience.
  • Proven experience designing high-performance systems with low-latency and high-throughput requirements.
  • Familiarity with cloud infrastructure, especially AWS services.
  • Solid database experience: SQL (MySQL) and/or NoSQL (DynamoDB).
  • Experience working on or with production-grade trading APIs or high-volume systems.
  • Structured thinker with strong communication skills and a customer-first mindset.

Nice to have

  • You’ve built or operated your own automated trading bot or trading system.
  • Hands‑on experience with the FIX protocol and order management systems.
  • Knowledge of WebSockets, streaming market data, or real‑time API performance tuning.
  • Passion for financial markets and an interest in building tools for professional traders.

What We Offer

  • Challenging, high‑impact work to grow your career.
  • Performance driven compensation with multipliers for outsized impact and bonus programs.
  • Top tier benefits to fuel your work, including supplemental health insurance, ancillary insurance, and mental health support programs.
  • Lifestyle wallet - a highly flexible employer‑paid benefits spending account expenses beyond traditional benefits such as wellness, childcare, learning, and more.
  • Time off to recharge including company holidays, paid time off, sick time, paid volunteer time off, parental leave, and more!
  • Exceptional office experience with catered meals, events, and comfortable workspaces.
  • Monthly commuter stipend to help offset in‑office commuting costs.

If our mission energizes you and you’re ready to build the future of finance, we look forward to seeing your application. Robinhood provides equal opportunity for all applicants, offers reasonable accommodations upon request, and complies with applicable equal employment and privacy laws. Inclusion is built into how we hire and work—welcoming different backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences so everyone can do their best.

Staff Software Engineer, Core Exchange employer: Robinhood

At Robinhood, we are committed to fostering a dynamic and inclusive work culture that empowers our employees to thrive. As a Staff Software Engineer in our Core Exchange team, you will engage in challenging, high-impact projects that directly shape the future of finance while enjoying top-tier benefits, flexible spending accounts, and ample time off to recharge. Our exceptional office environment, complete with catered meals and events, ensures that you have the support and resources needed to excel in your role and grow your career.

Robinhood

Contact Details:

Robinhood Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Staff Software Engineer, Core Exchange

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in the finance and tech space, especially those who work with trading APIs. 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 built any projects related to low-latency systems or trading bots, make sure to highlight them in conversations. Real-world examples can set you apart from the crowd.

Tip Number 3

Prepare for technical interviews by brushing up on your backend engineering knowledge. Focus on low-latency systems and database management, as these are key for the role. Practice coding challenges to keep your skills sharp!

Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our mission to democratise finance.

We think you need these skills to ace Staff Software Engineer, Core Exchange

Backend Engineering
Low-Latency Systems
High-Throughput Requirements
Cloud Infrastructure
AWS Services
SQL (MySQL)
NoSQL (DynamoDB)

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Staff Software Engineer role. Highlight your experience with low-latency systems and trading APIs, as this will show us you understand what we're looking for.

Showcase Your Skills:Don’t just list your skills; demonstrate them! Use specific examples from your past work that relate to building performant and reliable services. We want to see how you've tackled challenges similar to those we face.

Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it straightforward. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon unless it's relevant. Make it easy for us to see why you're a great fit for our team.

Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application through our website. This ensures it gets to the right people quickly and helps us keep track of all applications efficiently. Plus, it’s super easy!

How to prepare for a job interview at Robinhood

Know Your APIs Inside Out

Make sure you’re well-versed in REST, FIX, and WebSocket APIs. Brush up on how they work, their use cases, and any recent updates or trends in the industry. Being able to discuss your experience with these technologies will show that you’re not just a candidate, but a potential asset to the team.

Demonstrate Your Problem-Solving Skills

Prepare to tackle some technical challenges during the interview. Think about past projects where you optimised low-latency systems or improved data flows. Be ready to explain your thought process and the impact of your solutions, as this will highlight your structured thinking and customer-first mindset.

Show Your Passion for Finance

Since the role is centred around trading systems, it’s crucial to express your enthusiasm for financial markets. Share any personal projects, like automated trading bots, or insights into market trends. This will help you connect with the interviewers and demonstrate that you’re genuinely interested in the mission of democratizing finance.

Ask Insightful Questions

Prepare thoughtful questions about the team’s current challenges, future projects, or the company’s vision. This not only shows your interest in the role but also gives you a chance to assess if the company aligns with your career goals. Engaging in a two-way conversation can leave a lasting impression.