Contract Senior Software Engineer (Java or Python) in London
Contract Senior Software Engineer (Java or Python)

Contract Senior Software Engineer (Java or Python) in London

London Temporary 60000 - 80000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
SoCode Recruitment

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Develop and support financial applications while collaborating with traders and researchers.
  • Company: Join a leading private equity firm in a dynamic environment.
  • Benefits: Competitive pay, potential for contract extension, and hands-on experience with AI tools.
  • Other info: Opportunity to work on cutting-edge technology and enhance your career.
  • Why this job: Make an impact in finance by building innovative software solutions.
  • Qualifications: 8+ years in software development with Python or Java, preferably in financial services.

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

Contract length: 6 months (with potential to extend)

Location: London

Working Environment: On-site

You will be joining a private equity firm as a senior software engineer, to work across the following responsibilities:

  • Develop and support P&L, accounting, and returns-calculation applications across trading books
  • Build and extend our Client Reporting Framework
  • Add instrument and asset class coverage in our Trade Repository system
  • Manage data exchange with third-party vendors via SFTP and AWS S3
  • Use AI coding assistants (Claude, Cursor, GitHub Copilot) to compress delivery timelines while maintaining full code ownership and quality accountability
  • Collaborate with quant researchers and traders to translate complex financial requirements into auditable, production-grade code
  • Provide production support, working with Platform and SRE teams as needed

Key Requirements:

  • Technical: 8+ years commercial experience in Python or Java across the full development lifecycle
  • 5+ years in financial services (buy-side strongly preferred)
  • Solid relational database skills; MS SQL Server a strong plus
  • Snowflake experience required
  • Familiarity with AWS (S3, Lambda, EC2, Glue or similar)
  • Proficiency with Git, CI/CD pipelines, and observability tooling (e.g. Datadog)

AI & Tooling:

  • Proven, hands-on experience shipping production code using AI coding assistants such as Claude, Cursor, or GitHub Copilot
  • Demonstrable examples where AI tooling reduced delivery time by 2x or more on a meaningful task
  • Strong prompt engineering skills and the ability to critically evaluate AI-generated code for correctness, security, and financial accuracy

Desirable, but not essential:

  • Experience with Apache Airflow or similar workflow schedulers
  • REST or GraphQL API design experience
  • Knowledge of fixed income, FX, or derivatives products and associated P&L/risk methodologies

Contract Senior Software Engineer (Java or Python) in London employer: SoCode Recruitment

As a leading private equity firm located in the heart of London, we pride ourselves on fostering a dynamic and collaborative work environment where innovation thrives. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through our support for continuous learning and the use of cutting-edge technologies, including AI coding assistants, which empower our engineers to excel in their roles. Join us to be part of a team that values quality, accountability, and the opportunity to make a significant impact in the financial services sector.
SoCode Recruitment

Contact Detail:

SoCode Recruitment Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Contract Senior Software Engineer (Java or Python) in London

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance and tech sectors. Attend meetups or webinars related to software engineering and finance. You never know who might have a lead on that perfect contract role!

✨Tip Number 2

Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your projects, especially those involving Python or Java in financial services. Highlight any work with AI coding assistants, as this is a hot topic right now. Make sure to share it during interviews!

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare for technical interviews by brushing up on your coding skills. Practice common algorithms and data structures, and be ready to discuss your experience with AWS and databases. We recommend using platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to sharpen your skills.

✨Tip Number 4

Apply through our website! We’ve got loads of opportunities that might just be the right fit for you. Plus, applying directly can sometimes give you an edge over other candidates. Don’t miss out!

We think you need these skills to ace Contract Senior Software Engineer (Java or Python) in London

Java
Python
Financial Services Experience
Relational Database Skills
MS SQL Server
Snowflake
AWS (S3, Lambda, EC2, Glue)
Git
CI/CD Pipelines
Observability Tooling (e.g. Datadog)
AI Coding Assistants (Claude, Cursor, GitHub Copilot)
Prompt Engineering
API Design (REST or GraphQL)
Knowledge of Fixed Income, FX, or Derivatives Products

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the role. Highlight your experience with Python or Java, especially in financial services. We want to see how your skills match what we're looking for!

Showcase Your Projects: Include specific examples of projects where you've used AI coding assistants like GitHub Copilot. We love seeing how you've leveraged technology to improve your work and deliver results.

Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. We appreciate straightforward communication, so avoid jargon unless it's relevant to the role. Make it easy for us to see your qualifications!

Apply Through Our Website: Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. We can’t wait to hear from you!

How to prepare for a job interview at SoCode Recruitment

✨Know Your Tech Inside Out

Make sure you brush up on your Java or Python skills, especially in the context of financial services. Be ready to discuss your experience with relational databases and AWS, as well as any AI coding assistants you've used. Prepare specific examples of how you've applied these technologies in past projects.

✨Showcase Your Financial Acumen

Since this role is within a private equity firm, it's crucial to demonstrate your understanding of financial concepts. Be prepared to talk about your experience with P&L, accounting applications, and any relevant financial products like fixed income or derivatives. This will show that you can translate complex requirements into effective code.

✨Prepare for Technical Challenges

Expect to face some technical questions or coding challenges during the interview. Practice common algorithms and data structures, and be ready to solve problems on the spot. Familiarise yourself with tools like Git and CI/CD pipelines, as they may come up in discussions.

✨Communicate Clearly and Collaboratively

Collaboration is key in this role, so be ready to discuss how you've worked with teams in the past. Highlight your experience working with quant researchers and traders, and how you’ve translated their needs into production-grade code. Good communication skills will set you apart!

Contract Senior Software Engineer (Java or Python) in London
SoCode Recruitment
Location: London

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