Senior C++ FIX Protocol & Exchange Connectivity Engineer

Templeton and Partners; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 111,000 - 138,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Job summary

Templeton and Partners is seeking a Senior C++ FIX Protocol & Exchange Connectivity Engineer to join a high-performing tech team in London. You will develop low-latency connectivity to global exchanges, process real-time market data, and enable robust order routing across markets.

Work closely with traders, quants and operations to deliver high-performance trading infrastructure. This is a hybrid role with an initial 6-month contract and potential extensions up to 3 years.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of commercial C++ development within financial services or electronic trading.
• Strong background in FIX protocol connectivity and low-latency distributed systems.
• Experience with multithreaded, asynchronous programming and networking concepts.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop and maintain exchange connectivity solutions using modern C++.
• Build software communicating with exchanges via FIX, WebSocket and HTTP APIs.
• Support market data handlers, order gateways and routing systems.
• Improve performance through network tuning and low-latency techniques.
• Collaborate with traders and quants to translate requirements into robust software.

Skills

C++ development

FIX protocol

low-latency systems

multithreaded programming

exchange connectivity

networking fundamentals

Python/Scripting

Troubleshooting latency

Tools

FIX Protocol SDKs

WebSocket

TLS optimization

Job description

• Waterloo, London (Hybrid)


• £600 - £748 per day (Inside IR35)


• Initial 6-Month Contract | Extensions Available up to 3 Years

We are partnering with a leading global trading organisation seeking a Senior C++ FIX Protocol & Exchange Connectivity Engineer to join a high-performing technology team responsible for developing and supporting mission-critical electronic trading platforms.

This is an exciting opportunity to work at the core of a sophisticated trading environment, building low-latency exchange connectivity solutions that process Real Time market data and execute orders across global financial markets. Working closely with traders, quants, and trading operations teams, you'll play a key role in delivering highly scalable and resilient trading infrastructure.

The Opportunity

As a Senior C++ FIX Protocol & Exchange Connectivity Engineer, you will design, develop, and optimise software that connects directly to exchanges using industry-standard trading protocols. You'll be responsible for ensuring reliable, high-performance exchange connectivity whilst contributing to the development and enhancement of automated trading systems.

Key ResponsibilitiesFIX Protocol & Exchange Connectivity

• Design, develop, and maintain exchange connectivity solutions using modern C++


• Build software that communicates directly with exchanges using FIX Protocol, WebSocket, and HTTP APIs


• Develop and support market data handlers, order gateways, and order routing systems


• Optimise exchange communications through techniques such as network tuning, TLS optimisation, and low-latency connectivity improvements


• Research exchange-specific behaviour and protocol requirements to ensure optimal performance and compliance


• Integrate and enhance exchange SDKs using technologies including C++, Rust, Python, and TypeScript


• Develop, maintain, and extend automated testing frameworks to ensure software quality, stability, and performance

Trading Systems & Algorithm Development

• Implement trading algorithms and enhancements based on requirements from traders and quantitative teams


• Translate trading and business requirements into robust, high-performance software solutions


• Continuously improve the stability, reliability, scalability, and performance of the trading engine


• Work closely with Trading Operations teams to improve monitoring, observability, and operational tooling


• Investigate and resolve production issues, including latency bottlenecks, performance degradation, and system failures


• Support software releases, deployments, and production rollouts of new trading platform functionality

Essential Skills & Experience

• 5+ years of commercial C++ development experience within Financial Services, Electronic Trading, Commodities, Capital Markets, or Investment Banking


• Strong experience developing FIX Protocol connectivity solutions


• Proven track record building and supporting low-latency, high-performance distributed systems


• Strong understanding of multithreaded, concurrent, and asynchronous programming


• Experience with exchange connectivity, market data feeds, order management systems (OMS), or electronic trading platforms


• Solid understanding of networking concepts and protocols, including FIX, TCP/IP, WebSocket, and API-based integrations


• Excellent knowledge of algorithms, data structures, and performance optimisation techniques


• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to troubleshoot complex production issues


• Experience with Scripting and automation using Python, PowerShell, C#, SQL, or similar technologies


• Experience with software deployment, release management, and operational best practices

Highly Desirable

• Experience working directly with traders, quantitative analysts, and trading support teams


• Understanding of the full trading life cycle, including order capture, execution, allocation, settlement, and regulatory requirements


• Experience within electronic trading, commodities trading, market making, hedge funds, exchanges, or investment banking environments


• Knowledge of low-latency networking and performance tuning techniques


• Exposure to Linux-based trading environments

Personal Attributes

• Excellent communication skills with the ability to engage effectively with traders, developers, and senior stakeholders


• Comfortable operating in fast-paced, high-pressure trading environments


• Proactive, self-motivated, and delivery-focused


• Strong ownership mentality with a passion for building reliable, high-performance systems


• Able to manage competing priorities and thrive under demanding deadlines


• Naturally curious with a desire to solve complex technical and business challenges

Why Apply?

• Work on business-critical electronic trading and exchange connectivity platforms


• Collaborate directly with traders, quants, and senior engineering teams


• Exposure to cutting-edge low-latency trading technologies


• Long-term contract with potential extensions up to 3 years


• Competitive day rate of £600 - £748 per day (Inside IR35)


• Hybrid working from a central London location