Mid-Level C++ Developer – Low Latency & Real-Time Systems

Mid-Level C++ Developer – Low Latency & Real-Time Systems

Location: London, UK

Employment Type: Full-Time (Consulting-to-Perm)

About WSN & the Opportunity:

WSN is seeking a Mid-Level C++ Developer with expertise in low-latency, real-time systems, and market data processing to join our client, a top-tier hedge fund with locations in London and Miami. This is a long-term consulting role (2+ years) with a high likelihood of conversion to a permanent employee.

Role Overview:

As a Mid-Level C++ Developer, you will be responsible for designing, developing, and optimizing ultra-low latency trading systems, working closely with traders and quantitative researchers. You will be instrumental in improving market data processing, execution systems, and real-time trading infrastructure.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and optimize high-performance C++ applications for low-latency, real-time trading environments.
• Implement new features and enhancements for market data handling, including decoding, managing, and utilizing financial data from various feeds (e.g., Reuters, Bloomberg, direct exchange feeds).
• Optimize code for CPU/memory efficiency, network performance, and hardware utilization.
• Work on multi-threading, network programming (TCP/IP, UDP), and inter-process communication.
• Troubleshoot, debug, and resolve performance bottlenecks in production systems.
• Collaborate with quants, traders, and infrastructure teams to improve trading strategies and execution.
• Ensure system stability, scalability, and high availability for mission-critical trading applications.

Requirements:

• 5-10 years of professional C++ development experience in a low-latency, real-time environment.
• Strong experience with market data feeds and APIs (e.g., Reuters, Bloomberg, direct exchange feeds), including the ability to decode and manage market data efficiently.
• Financial services background, preferably at a hedge fund, proprietary trading firm, or investment bank.
• Expertise in multi-threaded programming, networking (TCP/IP, UDP), and low-latency optimizations.
• Strong understanding of data structures, algorithms, and computer architecture.
• Experience working in a Linux environment with performance tuning and debugging tools.
• Ability to accept requirements, ask clarifying questions, propose and discuss design tradeoffs, and write high-quality code independently.
• Awareness of performance tradeoffs in system design beyond just small code snippets.
• Scripting proficiency (Python, Bash) for automation and testing.
• Degree in Physics, Engineering, Mathematics, STEM, or Computer Science from a top university.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge of advanced performance tuning.
• Hands-on experience writing networking code and understanding lower-level networking concepts.
• Familiarity with advanced system performance tuning concepts.
• Experience working with Reuters code (though direct market data handling is a higher priority).
• Basic Python skills.
• Java familiarity.
• Windows C# familiarity (though 98% of work is in Linux, some Windows support is required).
• Understanding of FIX protocol, order management systems, and high-frequency trading.
• Experience with hardware acceleration (FPGA, GPU, kernel bypass).
• Knowledge of cloud computing, microservices, and containerization (Docker, Kubernetes).
• Familiarity with distributed systems and real-time messaging frameworks.

his role is an exciting opportunity for a highly skilled C++ developer to work on cutting-edge trading systems in a fast-paced, high-performance environment. If you have a passion for low-latency programming, market data processing, and high-performance computing, we encourage you to apply!