Senior Java Software Engineer (London Area)

Senior Java Developer – High-Performance FX Trading

We’re working on behalf of a prestigious financial services organization to source a highly skilled Senior Java Developer with a strong background in building high-performance, low-latency trading systems. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the evolution of a world-class FX Matching Venue , within a dynamic and regulated environment.

The successful candidate will play a critical role in designing, developing, and optimizing cutting-edge FX trading platforms, while collaborating closely with cross-functional teams that include product leads, architects, and operations specialists.

Key Responsibilities:

Application Development:

• Design, develop, and maintain high-performance FX Matching applications using Java.
• Apply event-driven architecture principles to create scalable and responsive systems.
• Conduct OS-level and Java performance tuning to meet the demands of high-frequency trading environments.

Collaboration & Technical Leadership:

• Partner with product, architecture, and operational teams to deliver robust, compliant solutions.
• Contribute to Agile workflows, including code reviews and mentoring junior developers.
• Participate in troubleshooting, system optimization, and ensuring overall platform stability.

Quality Assurance & Process Improvement:

• Drive the implementation of development best practices and maintain high-quality code standards.
• Support CI/CD efforts and maintain automated test frameworks.
• Promote secure coding practices and contribute to compliance and risk mitigation strategies.

Key Requirements:

• Proven experience building high-performance systems for FX or similar financial trading applications.
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related technical field.
• Strong expertise in low-latency Java and/or C++ development.
• Solid understanding of FIX and binary protocols (e.g., FIX 5.x).
• Advanced knowledge of multi-threading, concurrency, and performance tuning in Java.
• Hands-on experience with event-driven architectures and scalable system design.
• Comfortable working in Linux environments and using CI/CD tools (Git, GitLab, Bamboo, BitBucket, SonarQube).
• Exposure to application security tools such as Veracode, Coverity, or Blackduck is advantageous.

Candidate Profile:

• Analytical thinker with strong problem-solving capabilities.
• Excellent communicator, able to collaborate across both technical and business functions.
• Self-motivated, proactive, and adaptable to fast-paced Agile environments.
• Passionate about innovation and continuous improvement.

If you’re a results-driven developer with a keen interest in high-performance trading systems and you're ready to take on a challenging role with a global financial technology leader, we’d love to hear from you.

Contact Ciara Clarke at Harrington Starr for a confidential discussion on this role.