At a Glance
- Tasks: Write clean Python code and design cloud-first solutions for investment workflows.
- Company: Leading global investment firm with a focus on technology and data.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus, hybrid working, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with strong emphasis on clean code and best practices.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team re-architecting tech to drive trading performance and risk control.
- Qualifications: 6+ years in software development, 4+ years in Python, and experience with cloud services.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
We're working with a leading global investment firm operating across public and private markets, supporting a broad institutional and wealth client base. The business combines deep financial markets expertise with a strong technology and data capability, building platforms that support investment decision-making, portfolio management, risk, and operational workflows at scale. The environment is structured, collaborative, and delivery-focused, with a strong emphasis on quality, governance, and long-term client outcomes.
The firm is now looking for a strong, passionate and experienced Principal Python Engineer to join the Front Office Investment Technology team in London. They are re-architecting the stack to be cloud-native on AWS, with Python at the core of backend services and libraries, and modern UIs built in React. Engineering culture is centred on clean code, TDD, and high automation. London City, hybrid working model. Competitive Salary + Bonus + Benefits. Permanent Role.
What you’ll do:
- Write clean, well-structured Python code to build reusable components, services and libraries.
- Design and build cloud-first solutions in AWS for pricing, risk, and analytics workflows.
- Refine and extend the existing platform in response to desk and quant needs.
- Work directly with traders, quants, and portfolio managers to co-create maintainable Python solutions.
- Coach and develop more junior engineers; drive best practices across TDD, CI/CD, and code quality.
- Contribute to the overall architecture of the investment and trading platform.
Requirements for the role:
- 6+ years of software development experience in an enterprise or financial environment.
- 4+ years of hands-on Python development (ideally on data-heavy or mission-critical systems).
- Experience with cloud and serverless services (e.g. AWS Lambda, AppSync, DynamoDB or similar).
- Experience with both SQL and NoSQL databases.
- Solid understanding of Python’s built-in libraries and commonly used third-party packages (e.g. for data, APIs, and async workloads).
- Strong grasp of data structures and data transformation patterns.
- Experience working in modern engineering environments – Agile/Scrum, DevSecOps, CI/CD, Git/GitHub.
- Ability to engage credibly with business stakeholders (traders, quants, product, risk) as well as technical peers.
- Experience building software in Financial Services, within FX, rates, commodities, or derivatives trading; Portfolio analytics, risk, or performance measurement.
- Understanding of front office workflows and trade lifecycles.
- Experience integrating with market data, pricing libraries, or OMS/EMS platforms.
Who you are:
- A hands-on technologist who keeps up with modern Python and cloud engineering practices.
- Curious about how technology drives trading performance and risk control.
- Comfortable owning work from concept to production and support.
- Focused on understanding the business problem before writing code.
- Collaborative, open, and keen to share ideas and improve the wider engineering culture.
If you are interested in this Python Engineering Role, please apply directly to this advert with your updated CV or email it to Chantelle.Smith@sourcegroupinternational.com.
Principal Software Engineer | Python | Global Investment Firm | London, Hybrid employer: SGI
Contact Detail:
SGI Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Software Engineer | Python | Global Investment Firm | London, Hybrid
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the industry! Attend meetups, webinars, or even just grab a coffee with someone who works at a firm you admire. Building relationships can open doors that a CV just can't.
✨Show Off Your Skills
Don’t just talk about your experience; demonstrate it! Create a portfolio showcasing your Python projects or contributions to open-source. This gives potential employers a taste of what you can do and sets you apart from the crowd.
✨Ace the Interview
Prepare for technical interviews by practicing coding challenges and system design questions. Use platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to sharpen your skills. Remember, it’s not just about getting the right answer but also how you approach the problem!
✨Apply Through Us!
If you're keen on this Principal Software Engineer role, apply directly through our website! We’re here to help you land that dream job, so don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or need guidance.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Software Engineer | Python | Global Investment Firm | London, Hybrid
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience with Python and cloud technologies, especially AWS. We want to see how your skills align with the role, so don’t be shy about showcasing relevant projects or achievements!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re passionate about this role and how your background in financial services makes you a great fit. We love seeing enthusiasm and a clear understanding of the business.
Showcase Your Technical Skills: When detailing your experience, focus on your hands-on work with Python, TDD, and CI/CD practices. We’re looking for someone who can hit the ground running, so make sure we can see your technical prowess clearly!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of applications better and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at SGI
✨Know Your Python Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your Python skills, especially the built-in libraries and third-party packages relevant to data-heavy systems. Be ready to discuss your past projects where you've implemented clean, well-structured code and how you approached problem-solving in those scenarios.
✨Understand Cloud Solutions
Since the role involves building cloud-first solutions on AWS, it’s crucial to familiarise yourself with AWS services like Lambda and DynamoDB. Prepare to talk about your experience with cloud architecture and how you've leveraged serverless technologies in previous roles.
✨Engage with Business Stakeholders
This position requires collaboration with traders and quants, so practice articulating technical concepts in a way that resonates with non-technical stakeholders. Think of examples where you’ve successfully communicated complex ideas and how that impacted project outcomes.
✨Showcase Your Engineering Culture Fit
The firm values clean code, TDD, and high automation, so be prepared to discuss your experience with these practices. Share specific instances where you’ve driven best practices in your team and how you’ve contributed to a collaborative engineering culture.