At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and optimise high-performance systems in C++ or Rust for maximum efficiency.
- Company: Join a fast-growing, elite engineering team focused on cutting-edge technology.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, flexible work environment, and opportunities for rapid career growth.
- Other info: Collaborate with a small, talented team in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a greenfield role with full ownership of critical systems.
- Qualifications: 3+ years in high-performance systems and strong skills in C++ or Rust.
The predicted salary is between 56700 - 69300 £ per year.
We are working with a highly technical, fast-growing engineering team building latency-critical, high-throughput systems in a competitive and fast-moving environment. This is a greenfield opportunity within a small, elite team where engineers take full ownership of systems from design through to production.
The Role
You will design, build, and optimise high-performance systems where efficiency, scalability, and reliability are critical. The work is deeply technical and spans the full stack, from low-level systems and networking through to algorithmic performance and optimisation. This is an environment where strong reasoning and problem-solving ability are just as important as systems experience. You will be expected to tackle ambiguous problems, make architectural decisions, and iterate quickly.
Key Responsibilities:
- Design and develop high-performance, low-latency systems in C++ or Rust
- Optimise systems for throughput, latency, and scalability
- Work across the full lifecycle: architecture, implementation, testing, and production deployment
- Analyse and improve system performance through profiling and benchmarking
- Solve complex, non-obvious technical problems in a fast-paced environment
- Collaborate in a small, high-calibre team with significant ownership and impact
Requirements:
- 3+ years' experience building high-performance production systems
- Strong proficiency in C++ or Rust (or willingness to transition to Rust)
- Deep understanding of systems concepts (memory, concurrency, networking, hardware interaction)
- Proven track record working on latency-sensitive or high-throughput systems
- Strong problem-solving ability and capacity to reason through complex, novel scenarios
- High ownership mindset with the ability to operate in an ambiguous, fast-changing environment
Preferred Background:
- Experience in high-performance domains such as trading systems, distributed systems, or large-scale infrastructure
- Background in competitive programming, advanced simulations, or complex algorithmic problem-solving
- Strong academic background in Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics, or a related field
Why This Role:
- Greenfield environment with significant influence over system design and direction
- Small, high-performing team with strong technical standards
- Fast iteration cycles and immediate impact of your work
- Opportunity to take full ownership of critical systems
C++ / Rust Systems Engineer (Ultra-Performance Systems) in London employer: Selby Jennings
Selby Jennings is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters collaboration and innovation in the heart of London. Employees benefit from extensive growth opportunities, competitive compensation, and a supportive environment that encourages professional development, making it an ideal place for those looking to make a meaningful impact in the finance technology sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land C++ / Rust Systems Engineer (Ultra-Performance Systems) in London
✨Join Local Tech Meetups
Get out there and mingle with fellow developers by joining local tech meetups. It’s a fantastic way to meet people who might be working at Selby Jennings or know someone who does. Plus, you can pick up some trendy tech skills and trends while you're at it!
✨Contribute to Open Source Projects
Show off your coding chops by jumping into open-source projects. Not only does this give you practical experience, but it also gets you noticed in the dev community. You'll create a killer portfolio that speaks volumes about your skills to Selby Jennings.
✨Tap into Online Developer Communities
Don’t underestimate the power of online developer communities like GitHub, Stack Overflow, and even Reddit. Participate in discussions, share your projects, and build your visibility. We can often find opportunities through these channels that can lead to a full-time gig at companies like Selby Jennings.
✨Explore Job Boards Specifically for Tech Roles
Keep your eyes peeled on job boards that focus on tech roles. Sites like TechCareers or Stack Overflow Jobs can often have listings for companies like Selby Jennings that might not show up on broader job sites. Make it a habit to check these regularly, and don’t hesitate to apply directly through our website!
We think you need these skills to ace C++ / Rust Systems Engineer (Ultra-Performance Systems) in London
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 Selby Jennings.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Selby Jennings 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 Selby Jennings
✨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 Selby Jennings 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.
