Full Stack Engineer (HFT or Low latency)

Full Stack Engineer (HFT or Low latency)

Full-Time 75600 - 92400 £ / year (est.) On-site
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Design and develop ultra-low-latency software for high-frequency trading.
  • Company: Join a leading firm at the forefront of financial technology.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible work schedule, and opportunities for professional growth.
  • Other info: Collaborative culture with a focus on innovation and performance.
  • Why this job: Make an impact in fast-paced trading environments with cutting-edge technology.
  • Qualifications: 5-10 years in software engineering, especially in HFT or low-latency systems.

The predicted salary is between 75600 - 92400 £ per year.

This Full Stack Engineer role in London is onsite three days per week, embedded in the heart of high-frequency trading environments. You shape the backbone of real-time market data distribution, collaborating with quantitative, trading, and engineering teams to push the limits of speed and reliability. The market rewards those who build platforms that never miss a tick.

Responsibilities

  • Design, develop, and maintain high-performance, ultra-low-latency software applications and market data distribution systems.
  • Build, tune, and support low-latency network programming solutions and kernel bypass architectures on Linux environments.
  • Develop and enhance high-throughput, low-latency components using Core Java.
  • Integrate, optimize, and distribute real-time market data across over 70 proprietary direct feeds in EMEA, US Options, and MIFID II market structures.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional quantitative, trading, and engineering teams to deliver extremely reliable, fault-tolerant, and sub-microsecond resilient systems.
  • Perform rigorous performance analysis, latency troubleshooting, and system tuning of applications, network stacks, and market data distribution protocols (Denali, MPAC, Beacon, Refinitiv ETA).
  • Support knowledge transfer and handover activities as part of project onboarding and cross-team enablement.

Requirements

  • 5–10 years of software engineering experience in high-frequency trading (HFT), financial markets, or ultra-low-latency environments.
  • Strong hands-on development expertise with Core Java.
  • Deep expertise in Linux systems, kernel bypass low-latency tuning, and low-latency network programming.
  • Expert knowledge of market data distribution protocols, including Refinitiv ETA, Denali, MPAC, and Beacon.
  • Comprehensive domain knowledge across EMEA, US Options, and MIFID II market structures, alongside experience with over 70 proprietary direct feeds.
  • Strong performance tuning, profiling, and network/application troubleshooting skills.
  • Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and communication abilities.

Nice to Have

  • C++ is nice to have.
  • Entrepreneurial mindset with a proactive, ownership-driven approach in high-pressure trading floors.
  • Experience in event-driven architecture, distributed systems, and hardware-software co-design.
  • Knowledge of CI/CD practices, automated testing, and DevOps automation tailored for low-latency builds.
  • Experience working in large-scale enterprise financial environments and electronic trading desks.
  • Familiarity with advanced monitoring, hardware timestamping, and network telemetry tools.

Full Stack Engineer (HFT or Low latency) employer: Vallum Associates

As an Electronics Test Engineer at our company, you will be part of a dynamic and innovative team dedicated to pushing the boundaries of technology in a collaborative work environment. We offer competitive benefits, a strong focus on employee development, and opportunities for career advancement, all while being located in a vibrant area that fosters creativity and growth. Join us to make a meaningful impact in the field of electronics testing and enjoy a rewarding career with us.

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Contact Details:

Vallum Associates Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Full Stack Engineer (HFT or Low latency)

✨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 Vallum Associates 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 Vallum Associates.

✨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 Vallum Associates.

✨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 Vallum Associates 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 Full Stack Engineer (HFT or Low latency)

Core Java
Linux Systems
Kernel Bypass Low-Latency Tuning
Low-Latency Network Programming
Market Data Distribution Protocols
Refinitiv ETA
Denali

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 Vallum Associates.

Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Vallum Associates 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 Vallum Associates

✨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 Vallum Associates 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.