At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a small team while coding and leveraging AI tools to manage $2bn in assets.
- Company: Dynamic London-based firm with a flat hierarchy and innovative culture.
- Benefits: CTO title, equity in the business, competitive salary, and flexible working.
- Other info: Join a passionate team of 8 with excellent growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in FinTech while staying hands-on with coding.
- Qualifications: Full stack development experience, leadership skills, and domain knowledge in finance.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
We have a unique role that offers CTO job title and equity in the business, but allows you to work as an IC 50%+ of your time, leveraging advanced AI tooling to have a broad impact on a small London-based team of 8 who manage $2bn of assets.
What we're looking for is a confident, opinionated full stack developer who built a solid engineering skillset in the pre-AI world, but has adapted in a sensible way to modern AI tools.
You will have some experience of managing people, but you will also have kept your skills fresh, and be keen to ship code yourself in a flat, meritocratic hierarchy.
Domain knowledge Ideally you will have some domain knowledge in hedge funds, asset managers, banks, trading platforms, or Fin Techs, through professional experience.
Experience with Market and Reference data (Bloomberg, Refinitiv, Fact Set) all desirable.
Technical skills Python engineering: polars, pandas, Num Py, plus API and service work with Fast API or Django.
Type Script with
React: for internal tools, dashboards and portfolio or risk views.
SQL and data modelling: Postgres or SQL Server, and time-series storage for prices and positions.
Solid fundamentals: testing, code review, system design, debugging, and knowing when not to over-engineer for a team of eight.
AI coding tools: heavy, disciplined use of tools like Claude Code, Cursor or Copilot, with good judgment about reviewing and testing what they produce.
Building with LLM APIs: for example, internal assistants or search over research notes, broker reports and filings, plus automating document-heavy operations work.
Data governance for AI: keeping inside information and confidential investor data out of third-party models, choosing enterprise agreements with no-training terms, and being able to explain all this to compliance.
Software Engineering Team Lead employer: Upward Trend
Upward Trend in London is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters collaboration and innovation within the finance sector. Employees benefit from comprehensive professional development opportunities, competitive compensation packages, and the chance to work on exciting projects in the Emerging Markets space, particularly in the Telco and Consumer sectors. With a focus on employee growth and a supportive environment, this role provides a unique opportunity to make a significant impact while advancing your career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Software Engineering Team Lead
✨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 Upward Trend 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 Upward Trend.
✨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 Upward Trend.
✨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 Upward Trend 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 Software Engineering Team Lead
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 Upward Trend.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Upward Trend 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 Upward Trend
✨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 Upward Trend 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.
