At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team of developers to build high-performance trading systems while coding hands-on.
- Company: Dynamic fintech company revolutionising energy commodity trading on a global scale.
- Benefits: Hybrid work model, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with a focus on innovation and career advancement.
- Why this job: Join a cutting-edge project that impacts global markets and enhances your technical leadership skills.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in software development with strong C++ and team leadership experience.
The predicted salary is between 90000 - 110000 £ per year.
We are looking for a hands-on Lead C++ Engineer to lead a team of 4-6 developers building high-performance systems. This role combines technical leadership with active coding — you'll guide architecture and technical direction, mentor the team, and stay directly involved in development, while also serving as a key liaison between engineering and business stakeholders.
The project is a live, high-performance market order and trading system designed as an exchange for energy commodities. Operating primarily in the US and European markets for a global client, the platform handles complex trades where every millisecond counts.
Requirements:
- 10+ years of professional experience in software development.
- Proven experience leading a technical team is required.
- Deep expertise in Modern C++ (17/20/23): move semantics, constexpr, templates, etc.
- Strong experience with Linux / POSIX environments.
- Proficiency with build systems and tools: CMake / vcpkg, Git.
- Hands-on experience with concurrency and shared memory tools.
- Networking skills: ZeroMQ (or similar), low-level socket programming (TCP/UDP).
- Proficiency in using AI coding tools (Cursor, Claude, Codex, etc.) to enhance the development workflow.
- English: Upper-Intermediate or higher.
Nice to Have:
- Familiarity with kdb+, TypeScript, and code generation tools.
- Experience with Svelte is a plus.
- Experience in Financial or Trading domains (FIX Protocol, OMS, Market data feeds like ITCH/OUCH).
- Knowledge of Redis or other in-memory data stores.
- Familiarity with the Qt framework.
Responsibilities:
- Manage a team of 4-6 C++ and UI developers.
- Collaborate closely with business stakeholders, including product managers and other stakeholders.
- Make regular, hands-on code contributions.
- Coordinate and collaborate with other technical teams across the organization.
- Manage project timelines, deliverables, and cross-team communications.
What we are looking for:
- Autonomy: You excel at working independently, learning on your own, and figuring out large, unfamiliar codebases without external support.
- Ownership: You are ready to take full responsibility for the core part of the system.
- Assertiveness: You can clearly communicate your technical vision and demonstrate your project understanding effectively.
Project:
- Customer: Global company based in the US.
- Type: Fintech / trading platform.
- Product: A platform connecting global buyers and sellers of specialized commodities, providing trading, data insights, and market infrastructure used by large enterprises, financial institutions, and government agencies worldwide.
- Market: Global — serving corporations, financial institutions, and governments across multiple regions.
- Stage: Existing, established platform — the team is expanding internationally (overseas expansion of the Markets Engineering team), not building from scratch.
Lead C++ developer (London, hybrid) employer: techmagic
As a Lead C++ Developer in London, you'll join a dynamic team at the forefront of fintech innovation, where your technical leadership will directly impact the development of high-performance trading systems. Our hybrid work culture promotes flexibility and collaboration, while our commitment to employee growth ensures you have access to continuous learning opportunities and mentorship. With a focus on cutting-edge technology and a global client base, this role offers a unique chance to contribute to a vital market infrastructure that drives efficiency in energy commodities trading.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead C++ developer (London, hybrid)
✨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 techmagic 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 techmagic.
✨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 techmagic.
✨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 techmagic 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 Lead C++ developer (London, hybrid)
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 techmagic.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at techmagic 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 techmagic
✨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 techmagic 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.