At a Glance
- Tasks: Develop and optimise FX trading strategies in a hands-on role.
- Company: Wagglyn, a bespoke FX consultancy with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive compensation, remote work, and the chance to work with cutting-edge technology.
- Other info: Immediate start preferred; dynamic environment with opportunities for growth.
- Why this job: Join a high-performance team and make a real impact in the FX trading world.
- Qualifications: Experience in quantitative development and strong programming skills in Rust or C++.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Wagglyn is seeking a Quantitative Developer (Contract) to work directly with our quantitative research and engineering teams on the development and deployment of systematic FX trading strategies. This is a hands-on role focused on owning and improving a production-grade trading stack and bridging it through to live trading. You will work across execution systems, market data infrastructure, and research workflows to ensure the platform is robust, performant, and ready for real-world conditions.
We have production infrastructure in place and are focused on bridging to live trading. The immediate priority is ensuring system reliability, validating the order path, and supporting the transition into a live trading environment.
Responsibilities
- Take ownership of key components of the existing Rust-based trading stack, including:
- Stabilising and improving system reliability
- Identifying and resolving performance bottlenecks
- Validate and refine the end-to-end order lifecycle:
- Ensure correctness of order handling, execution flow, and venue interaction
- Work closely with quants and engineers to align behaviour with strategy requirements
- Improve and maintain market data and storage systems:
- Ensure robustness and performance of time-series data infrastructure (e.g. QuestDB)
- Validate data integrity, sequencing, and consistency across feeds
- Optimise high-frequency data pipelines:
- Correct timestamping and event ordering
- Cross-venue alignment and determinism
- Collaborate with quantitative researchers to:
- Integrate and refine strategy logic within production constraints
- Improve research-to-production workflows and tooling
- Contribute to performance optimisation across:
- Latency, throughput, and system determinism
- Linux systems, networking, and low-level performance tuning
Required Experience
- Experience as a Quantitative Developer / Quant Engineer / Low Latency Engineer in a systematic trading environment
- Direct experience in electronic FX markets is required, including:
- FX market microstructure (last look, liquidity provider behaviour, venue dynamics)
- ECNs and liquidity venues (e.g. EBS, LMAX, Cboe FX, Currenex, etc.)
- Understanding of FX-specific execution characteristics (disclosed vs anonymous liquidity, LP pools, prime brokerage)
- Strong programming skills in:
- Python (research and tooling)
- Rust and/or C++ (performance-critical systems)
- Experience working with:
- High-frequency financial data (tick / order book level)
- Real-time data pipelines and execution systems
- Backtesting and/or simulation environments
- Strong understanding of:
- Data integrity challenges (timestamping, sequencing, feed inconsistencies)
- End-to-end trading system behaviour under real market conditions
Important – Technical Requirement
- This role operates within a Rust-based trading stack.
- Candidates should be:
- Proficient in Rust, or
- Highly experienced in C++ and able to transition effectively into Rust
- Strong C++ engineers with experience in low-latency trading systems are encouraged to apply, even if Rust experience is more limited.
- If you do not have experience in performance-critical systems programming, this role is unlikely to be a fit.
Preferred Experience
- Experience working on systems approaching or entering live trading
- Familiarity with:
- Low latency optimisation techniques (kernel bypass, networking, etc.)
- Cross-venue market data aggregation
- General familiarity with AWS environments (e.g. S3, UAT setups)
Profile
- Comfortable operating in a small, high-performance team with high ownership
- Pragmatic and delivery-focused:
- Focused on getting systems stable and live
- Able to prioritise effectively under time pressure
- Strong communicator, able to work across:
- Quantitative research
- Low latency engineering
Contract Structure
- Full-time contractor
- Rolling fixed-term arrangement
- Immediate start preferred
Location
- Remote (preference for UK based candidates).
Compensation
- Compensation is competitive and aligned with quant dev roles in eFX trading.
About Wagglyn
Wagglyn is a bespoke FX consultancy mandated by a single family office to develop and implement a systematic total return strategy in foreign exchange markets. We are building an institutional-grade algorithmic FX trading capability, combining quantitative research, high-performance engineering, and robust execution infrastructure.
Locations
Quantitative Developer (HFT FX) – Contract in Cheshire, Warrington employer: Wagglyn
Wagglyn is an exceptional employer for Quantitative Developers, offering a dynamic remote work environment that fosters innovation and collaboration. With a strong focus on employee growth, you will have the opportunity to take ownership of critical components in a high-performance trading stack while working alongside talented quants and engineers. Our culture prioritises stability and performance, ensuring that you are part of a team dedicated to pushing the boundaries of systematic FX trading.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Quantitative Developer (HFT FX) – Contract in Cheshire, Warrington
✨Show Off Your Expertise Online
In the banking and financial services world, sharing your insights on platforms like LinkedIn can really set you apart. Write articles about market trends or finance tips, and engage in discussions in relevant groups. This not only boosts your visibility but also highlights your knowledge to potential clients.
✨Join Freelance Platforms and Networking Events
Freelancing in finance can be competitive, so make sure you're on platforms like Upwork or Fiverr, specifically targeting finance gigs. Also, look for finance networking events or webinars to connect with small businesses that might need your services. Meeting people face-to-face (or online) can score you those elusive freelance contracts.
✨Build a Stunning Portfolio
Since you're going freelance, having a solid portfolio is a must. Showcase your previous work, such as reports or analyses, and consider using case studies to highlight your approach. The more you can demonstrate your skills, the easier it is for clients to trust you with their finances.
✨Direct Outreach is Key
For freelance gigs, don't wait for opportunities to come to you. Identify companies or startups that align with your skills and reach out directly. A personalised message introducing yourself and proposing how you could add value can go a long way. Plus, keep an eye on Wagglyn for freelance opportunities—they might have just what you’re looking for!
We think you need these skills to ace Quantitative Developer (HFT FX) – Contract in Cheshire, Warrington
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Financial Savvy:When applying for a freelance role in banking and financial services, we need to see your expertise front and centre! Mention specific financial regulations or tools you've mastered, and feel free to include your relevant qualifications, like CFA or ACCA, to bolster your credibility.
Build a Stellar Portfolio:Since this is a freelance gig, your portfolio is your ticket to impressing us at Wagglyn. Include examples of past projects you've completed—think financial analyses, investment reports, or forecasting models. Be sure to highlight the results you achieved!
Tailor Your Rates and Availability:We want to see that you're flexible and can align with our needs. Clearly outline your freelance rates, availability for projects, and whether you're open to long-term collaborations or just ad-hoc gigs. This makes it easier for us to understand how we can work together!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:In your cover letter, express not just your skills, but also why you're excited about joining Wagglyn. Share your passion for financial services and how you plan to tackle challenges in this sector. This is your chance to connect on a personal level—make it count!
How to prepare for a job interview at Wagglyn
✨Show Off Your Financial Savvy
When you're talking with Wagglyn, make sure to highlight your experience with financial modelling, risk assessment, or portfolio management. Freelance work often requires a good level of financial literacy, so prepare to discuss any relevant tools you've used, whether it's Excel or specific financial software.
✨Bring Your Portfolio to Life
A freelance role means you’ll want to showcase your previous work effectively. Put together a portfolio that not only highlights your projects but also demonstrates the outcomes - think case studies or success stories that showcase how your financial skills made a difference for past clients.
✨Know Your Regulations and Compliance
In the banking and financial services world, understanding compliance and regulations is crucial. Make sure you’re up to date with the latest standards as they relate to your expertise. Be prepared for specific questions about how you've navigated these in past roles or how you'd approach potential compliance challenges.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Your Rates and Availability
As a freelancer, the topic of rates and availability can come up early on. Be clear about what you offer and how you charge. It might also help to have a few examples in mind where your expertise saved someone money or improved efficiency to justify your rates to Wagglyn.
