At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team to build high-performance trading research infrastructure using Rust and Python.
- Company: Join Whistler Trading, a fast-growing leader in systematic trading.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, performance bonuses, comprehensive health insurance, and top-notch hardware.
- Other info: Collaborative culture focused on merit, clarity, and real ownership.
- Why this job: Shape the future of trading technology while mentoring talented engineers.
- Qualifications: 7+ years in software engineering with strong Rust and Python skills.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 88000 £ per year.
About Whistler Trading: Whistler Trading was founded in 2022 with the ambition to build a new leader in systematic trading. We have invested heavily in research and infrastructure, developing lean, high-performance systems that let us go from idea to production faster than ever. Most importantly, we have built a team with incredible talent density, including alumni of top firms like Citadel and SIG, medalists from math and informatics olympiads, and individuals with deep domain expertise in trading, distributed systems, and real-time infrastructure. We value drive, rigor, and originality, and we back people who want to build something lasting.
The Role: We are building out our research platform team and looking for a Senior Software Engineer / Technical Lead to help drive this effort. You will oversee a growing team of junior engineers building our high-frequency and mid-frequency trading research infrastructure while staying hands-on with architecture and critical technical decisions. This isn’t a pure management role; you will write code, design systems, and solve hard technical problems. You will also mentor engineers, set technical direction, and ensure we are building research infrastructure that is fast, reliable, and enables our researchers to move quickly from idea to production.
The ideal candidate has strong systems programming fundamentals, experience building research or data platforms, and a track record of leading technical projects and developing other engineers.
What You’ll Do:
- Lead the research platform team: Provide technical direction and mentorship to a team of junior engineers building our HFT/MFT research infrastructure.
- Design and build research infrastructure: Architect and implement high-performance systems in Rust and Python that enable our researchers to test ideas, analyse data at scale, and iterate quickly.
- Bridge research and production: Work closely with researchers and traders to understand their needs, then build tools and infrastructure that accelerate their work.
- Drive technical decisions: Own architecture and design decisions for the research platform.
- Solve HPC challenges: Work on high-performance computing problems related to data processing, parallel computation, and system optimization.
- Maintain engineering standards: Establish and uphold strong engineering practices through code reviews, documentation, and technical mentorship.
- Stay hands-on: Remain actively involved in coding, design, and technical problem-solving.
Skills and Qualifications:
- Experience: 7+ years of software engineering experience, with demonstrated ability to lead technical projects and mentor other engineers.
- Systems programming: Strong proficiency in Rust for performance-critical systems.
- Python for research/data: Solid Python skills for building research tools, data analysis pipelines, and working with scientific computing libraries.
- High-performance computing: Experience with parallel programming, optimization, and building systems that process large datasets efficiently.
- Technical leadership: Track record of leading technical projects, making architecture decisions, and helping other engineers grow.
- Problem-solving and pragmatism: Ability to balance competing priorities.
- Communication: Clear, direct communication with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or related field (Master’s or Ph.D. a plus).
Nice to have:
- Experience in quantitative trading, quantitative research, or financial markets.
- Background building data platforms, backtesting systems, or research infrastructure.
- Familiarity with distributed systems and workflow orchestration.
- Experience with modern data tools and frameworks.
Why Join Whistler:
- Build foundational systems: Shape the research infrastructure that underpins our entire trading operation.
- Develop engineers: Work with smart, driven junior engineers and help them grow into strong systems programmers.
- Work with exceptional people: Collaborate with researchers and engineers who are genuinely excellent at what they do.
- Merit over hierarchy: We run a lean, collaborative organization where the best ideas win.
- Clarity and ownership: Value clear thinking and direct communication.
- Growth opportunity: As we grow, top performers grow with us.
Compensation and Benefits:
- Base Salary: CAD $150,000 – $250,000 depending on experience and performance.
- Benefits: Comprehensive health insurance, retirement plans, and other benefits to support you and your family.
Hiring Process:
- Initial screening: A short conversation to discuss your background, leadership experience, and mutual fit.
- Technical assessment: A systems design or architecture exercise focused on research infrastructure challenges.
- Technical interviews: In-depth discussions with our engineers about your experience.
- Team fit interview: A conversation with senior team members to assess collaboration style.
- Offer: If it’s a mutual fit, we’ll extend an offer promptly.
Senior Software Engineer / Technical Lead Research Platform (Rust + Python) in London employer: Whistler Trading
Whistler Alpha Research is an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic work culture where innovation and performance are at the forefront. As a Graduate Software Engineer, you will have the unique opportunity to collaborate with industry leaders in a fast-paced environment, receiving rapid feedback and mentorship that accelerates your professional growth. With a competitive salary and a focus on impactful work, Whistler Alpha Research is dedicated to nurturing talent and providing a platform for meaningful contributions in the world of quantitative finance.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Software Engineer / Technical Lead Research Platform (Rust + Python) in London
✨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 Whistler Trading 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 Whistler Trading.
✨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 Whistler Trading.
✨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 Whistler Trading 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 Senior Software Engineer / Technical Lead Research Platform (Rust + Python) in London
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 Whistler Trading.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Whistler Trading 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 Whistler Trading
✨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 Whistler Trading 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.
