Lead Software Engineering - Java -ETT - Options Algorithmic Trading

Next Frontier Capital; Greater London; On-site; GBP 110,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

J.P. Morgan is seeking a Lead Software Engineer to design and optimize algorithmic trading engines for options, translating strategies into scalable, reliable code. You will work across teams to deliver low-latency, secure systems in a fast-paced environment.

You will drive high-quality production code in Java, mentor peers, and help establish automated testing and validation practices. The role emphasizes responsible AI use and resilient design within Electronic Trading Technology.

Qualifications

• Formal training in software engineering concepts and advanced proficiency in Java.
• Hands-on experience in system design, application development, testing, and operational stability.
• Advanced skills in one or more programming languages.
• Proficiency in automation and continuous delivery methods.
• Expertise in all aspects of the Software Development Life Cycle.
• Experience with algorithmic trading systems and familiarity with trading protocols such as FIX.
• Practical experience with performance optimization and low-touch system design.
• Experience leading effective use of approved AI-assisted software development tools with ability to set team expectations for validating AI outputs.

Responsibilities

• Execute creative software solutions, design, development, and troubleshooting to solve complex problems.
• Develop secure, high-quality production code in Java and review code for best practices and performance.
• Design and implement algorithmic trading strategies to optimize execution and performance.
• Collaborate with product teams to translate trading strategies into scalable algorithms.
• Continuously improve and refactor codebases to enhance performance, testing, and reliability.
• Contribute to a team culture of diversity, inclusion, and respect.
• Apply automation and continuous delivery methods to streamline development processes.
• Ensure operational stability and reliability of trading systems.

Skills

Java

Multithreading

Algorithm design

Trading systems

FIX protocol

AI-assisted development tools

Automation & CI/CD

Education

Software engineering degree

Tools

AMPS

Kafka

Cucumber

Python

Shell

Grafana

Splunk

Linux

Job description

Are you ready to make a meaningful impact and advance your career in a dynamic, fast-paced team? At JPMorganChase, you’ll help build market-leading technology products that power our electronic trading business. You’ll work alongside talented professionals who value creativity, collaboration, and continuous learning. We offer opportunities for growth, skill development, and the chance to push the boundaries of what’s possible. Your expertise will help us deliver secure, stable, and scalable solutions that drive our business forward.

As a Lead Software Engineer in the Options Algorithmic Trading team within Electronic Trading Technology, you will play a pivotal role in designing and optimizing algorithmic trading engines for options instruments. You will collaborate with diverse teams to translate trading strategies into efficient, scalable algorithms. Your contributions will enhance our trading systems, support business objectives, and foster a culture of innovation and inclusion. You will help ensure our technology infrastructure remains robust, reliable, and ready to meet the demands of the market.

Job Responsibilities

• Execute creative software solutions, design, development, and technical troubleshooting to solve complex problems.
• Develop secure, high-quality production code in Java and review code to ensure best practices and performance standards.
• Design and implement algorithmic trading strategies to optimize execution and performance in a low-touch trading environment.
• Collaborate with product teams to translate trading strategies into scalable algorithms.
• Continuously improve and refactor codebases to enhance performance, implement testing, and ensure reliability.
• Contribute to a team culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, and respect.
• Drives team adoption of enterprise-authorized AI-assisted engineering practices within the work environment to improve code quality, delivery speed, and operational outcomes (e.g., AI-assisted code review/refactoring, test strategy acceleration, incident/root-cause analysis support), while establishing consistent validation standards (secure coding, peer review, automated testing) and promoting reuse of effective patterns across the team.
• Applies knowledge of tools within the Software Development Life Cycle toolchain, including enterprise-authorized AI-assisted development and automation capabilities, to improve the value realized by automation.
• Implement systems for order management, trade execution, market data processing, and risk management.
• Apply automation and continuous delivery methods to streamline development processes.
• Ensure operational stability and reliability of trading systems.

Required Qualifications, Capabilities, and Skills

• Formal training or certification in software engineering concepts and advanced proficiency in Java.
• Hands-on experience in system design, application development, testing, and operational stability.
• Advanced skills in one or more programming languages.
• Proficiency in automation and continuous delivery methods.
• Expertise in all aspects of the Software Development Life Cycle.
• Experience with algorithmic trading systems and familiarity with trading protocols such as FIX.
• Practical experience with performance optimization and low-touch system design.
• Demonstrated experience leading effective use of approved AI-assisted software development tools (e.g., for coding, code review, test acceleration, troubleshooting) with the ability to set team expectations for validating AI outputs for correctness, performance, and security.
• Strong understanding of responsible AI use in engineering workflows, including data sensitivity considerations, secure handling of inputs/outputs, and adherence to resiliency and security expectations; experience coaching engineers on safe, compliant adoption within delivery practices
• Strong understanding of data structures, algorithms, and multithreading in Java.
• Familiarity with financial markets and trading concepts, especially equities and options.

Preferred Qualifications, Capabilities, and Skills

• Experience designing and implementing high-performance, low-touch trading systems.
• Ability to troubleshoot complex software issues and optimize application performance.
• Experience with messaging systems such as AMPS or Kafka for real-time data streaming and processing.
• Experience with Cucumber for behavior-driven development and testing in Java environments.
• Experience with automation tools and scripting languages (e.g., Python, Shell) for testing and reporting.
• Familiarity with financial data feeds and market data integration.
• Proficiency in Linux operating systems, including scripting and administration tasks.
• Familiarity with monitoring and logging tools such as Grafana or Splunk for system health monitoring.

J.P. Morgan is a global leader in financial services, providing strategic advice and products to the world’s most prominent corporations, governments, wealthy individuals and institutional investors. Our first-class business in a first-class way approach to serving clients drives everything we do. We strive to build trusted, long-term partnerships to help our clients achieve their business objectives.
We recognize that our people are our strength and the diverse talents they bring to our global workforce are directly linked to our success. We are an equal opportunity employer and place a high value on diversity and inclusion at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of any protected attribute, including race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital or veteran status, pregnancy or disability, or any other basis protected under applicable law. We also make reasonable accommodations for applicants' and employees' religious practices and beliefs, as well as mental health or physical disability needs. Visit our FAQs for more information about requesting an accommodation.
J.P. Morgan's Commercial & Investment Bank is a global leader across banking, markets, securities services and payments. Corporations, governments and institutions throughout the world entrust us with their business in more than 100 countries. The Commercial & Investment Bank provides strategic advice, raises capital, manages risk and extends liquidity in markets around the world. Join us to shape the future of options algorithmic trading technology and drive innovation in a collaborative, agile environment.