C++ Software Engineer in London

C++ Software Engineer in London

London Full-Time 60000 - 80000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
Selby Jennings

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Design and develop high-performance C++ applications for global trading systems.
  • Company: Leading quantitative trading firm with a focus on technology and innovation.
  • Benefits: Competitive pay, significant ownership, and a collaborative team environment.
  • Other info: Flat structure where your ideas can shine and drive change.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on trading performance in a fast-paced, tech-driven setting.
  • Qualifications: Strong C++ skills and experience with low-latency systems preferred.

The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.

A leading quantitative trading and market‑making firm is seeking a Senior C++ Engineer to join a high‑performance technology team responsible for building the systems that underpin global electronic trading operations. This is an opportunity to work on performance‑critical software where engineering is at the centre of the business. You'll be developing low‑latency trading components, execution systems and core infrastructure that directly influence trading performance and business outcomes, with engineers given significant ownership and autonomy.

What You'll Be Doing

  • Designing and developing high‑performance C++ applications
  • Building low‑latency trading infrastructure and execution systems
  • Optimising systems for throughput, determinism and reliability
  • Working closely with traders, quantitative researchers and fellow engineers
  • Contributing to architecture, system design and technical direction
  • Solving complex engineering challenges in a real‑time environment

What They're Looking For

  • Strong commercial experience with modern C++ (C++17/20/23 preferred)
  • Background in low‑latency, distributed or high‑performance systems
  • Excellent knowledge of Linux systems programming
  • Strong understanding of algorithms, data structures and software design
  • Experience working on real‑time or mission‑critical applications
  • Financial markets experience is a plus, but exceptional engineers from other highly performant environments will also be considered

Why Consider It?

  • Work on software that directly impacts trading performance
  • Join a highly technical, engineering‑led environment
  • Significant ownership and autonomy from day one
  • Collaborative team with close exposure to decision makers
  • Competitive compensation structure with strong earning potential
  • Opportunity to work on some of the most challenging low‑latency problems in the industry
  • Flat organisational structure where good ideas can have immediate impact
Selby Jennings

Contact Details:

Selby Jennings Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land C++ Software Engineer 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++ Software Engineer in London

C++ (C++17/20/23)
Low-Latency Systems
Distributed Systems
High-Performance Systems
Linux Systems Programming
Algorithms
Data Structures

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.