At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the development of a cutting-edge multi-asset risk engine and shape the product roadmap.
- Company: Join a fintech scale-up backed by a major global private equity firm.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, discretionary bonus, shares, and flexible working arrangements.
- Other info: Dynamic startup environment with opportunities for mentorship and growth.
- Why this job: Enjoy genuine ownership and direct impact on innovative projects without bureaucratic hurdles.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in quant finance and strong software engineering skills required.
The predicted salary is between 100000 - 180000 £ per year.
London (4 days office / 1 day remote) £100,000 - £180,000 (DOE) + benefits + discretionary bonus + shares
Do you have deep quant finance exposure but you're tired of being one of twenty people who has to sign off before your code goes anywhere? Are you a strong software engineer who's spent years adjacent to trading and risk systems, but never got to actually own the build? You'd be joining a fintech scale-up, backed by a global private equity major, right at the start of a new growth cycle. The London engineering team is currently 6-7 people, mirroring a much larger 40-strong hub in Hong Kong, and you'd be one of the most senior technical voices in the room from day one.
The core project: replacing third-party risk engines (think MSCI Barra, Aladdin) with an in-house, multi-asset risk engine, because clients want more control and reliability than the incumbents offer, and the business wants to own its own supply chain instead of paying for it. There's no one in London today who can write the specs, validate the models, and build the implementation. That's the gap.
Why You'll Love It Here
- Genuine ownership: if you want to shape the product roadmap, you get in the room and make the case, no layers of approval to fight through
- A very flat structure, you'd report directly to the Head of Engineering with minimal hierarchy above you
- Primarily hands-on (this is a builder's role, not a manager's), with mentoring and coaching as a bonus, not an obligation
- Direct exposure to the product team and Head of Risk from early on
- Real scope to grow as the London team scales
- Freedom in how you work, paired with genuine investment in AI coding tools (Cursor, credits for top models) to keep you efficient, not micromanaged
About the Role
Day to day, you'll be deep in the build: Python for data and calculation engine work, C++ where performance matters, and a Node.js/TypeScript full-stack layer, with the team also moving toward JVM/Kotlin. Whatever your primary language, if you've got 10+ years behind you, picking up what's needed here shouldn't be a barrier. You'll be trusted to write specs, validate models, and where relevant, implement them yourself. As the London team grows, you'll have the option (not obligation) to mentor into it. You won't be boxed into a narrow technical lane, and if you want to take ownership of parts of the wider platform beyond risk, that door is open.
What You'll Need
- 10+ years' experience
- Genuine quant finance exposure, formulas, models, and implementation, not just proximity to a quant team
- Multi-asset awareness, particularly risk-oriented (not necessarily exotic instruments)
- Strong software engineering background (still hands-on)
- Comfort working in a startup-paced, low-hierarchy environment
- Openness to picking up new languages/stacks
If you want to build something from the ground up, sit close to leadership, and stop waiting for twenty sign-offs before your work matters, this is worth a conversation.
Tech Lead - Quant Engineering employer: Zygo People
Join a dynamic fintech scale-up in London where you can truly own your work and influence the product roadmap from day one. With a flat structure and a focus on genuine collaboration, you'll have the opportunity to grow alongside a talented team while enjoying the freedom to innovate without bureaucratic hurdles. The company invests in cutting-edge AI tools to enhance your efficiency, making it an ideal environment for experienced professionals looking to make a meaningful impact.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Tech Lead - Quant Engineering
✨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 Zygo People 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 Zygo People.
✨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 Zygo People.
✨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 Zygo People 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 Tech Lead - Quant Engineering
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 Zygo People.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Zygo People 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 Zygo People
✨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 Zygo People 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.
