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 work model, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with strong emphasis on quality and career growth.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team re-architecting tech for impactful investment decisions.
- Qualifications: 6+ years in software development, 4+ years in Python, and cloud experience required.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ 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 Principal Python Engineer for their 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.
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
- Exposure to AI tools in development e.g. Claude, Copilot, etc. and a keen willingness to engage with AI in engineering.
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
Python Developer | Global Investment Tech | London, hybrid employer: SGI
As a leading global investment firm, we pride ourselves on fostering a structured and collaborative work environment that prioritises quality and long-term client outcomes. Our London-based team offers competitive salaries, bonuses, and benefits, alongside opportunities for professional growth through coaching and mentoring junior engineers. With a strong emphasis on clean code and modern engineering practices, we empower our employees to innovate and excel in their roles while enjoying the flexibility of a hybrid working model.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Python Developer | Global Investment Tech | 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 in investment tech. You never know when a casual chat could lead to your next big opportunity.
✨Show Off Your Skills
Don’t just talk about your experience; demonstrate it! Create a GitHub repository showcasing your Python projects or contribute to open-source initiatives. This gives potential employers a tangible look at what you can do.
✨Ace the Interview
Prepare for technical interviews by brushing up on your Python skills and understanding cloud services like AWS. Practice coding challenges and be ready to discuss your past projects in detail. Confidence is key!
✨Apply Through Our Website
Make sure to apply directly through our website for the best chance of landing that role. We love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged with our company. Plus, it shows you're serious about joining our team!
We think you need these skills to ace Python Developer | Global Investment Tech | London, hybrid
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the job description. Highlight your Python development experience, especially in financial environments, and don’t forget to mention any cloud services you’ve worked with!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to show us your personality and passion for the role. Explain why you’re excited about working with us at StudySmarter and how your background aligns with our focus on clean code and collaborative engineering.
Showcase Relevant Projects:If you’ve worked on projects that involved Python, AWS, or financial systems, make sure to include them! We love seeing real-world applications of your skills, so don’t hold back on the details.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands and shows us you’re serious about joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at SGI
✨Know Your Python Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your Python skills, especially focusing on libraries and frameworks relevant to financial services. Be prepared to discuss your experience with data-heavy systems and how you've implemented clean code practices in your previous roles.
✨Understand the Business Context
Familiarise yourself with the investment tech landscape, particularly how technology impacts trading performance and risk control. This will help you engage credibly with traders and quants during the interview, showing that you understand their needs and challenges.
✨Showcase Your Cloud Knowledge
Since the role involves building cloud-first solutions on AWS, be ready to discuss your experience with serverless services like AWS Lambda and DynamoDB. Highlight any projects where you've successfully integrated these technologies into your work.
✨Emphasise Collaboration and Coaching
This position requires a collaborative mindset and the ability to coach junior engineers. Share examples of how you've worked in Agile teams, driven best practices, and contributed to a positive engineering culture in your past roles.
