Structured and Exchange-Traded Product Market-Making Developer - VP

Morgan Stanley; Greater London; On-site; GBP 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Morgan Stanley is seeking an experienced algorithmic trading Java developer to support the market-making businesses. You will build, deploy and support algorithmic trading strategies, analytical tools and scalable trading engine infrastructure within a fast-moving IT/quant/trading team.

In the Technology division, we leverage innovation to empower clients and colleagues, and this is a Lead Software Engineering role at VP level focused on developing and maintaining software solutions that meet

Qualifications

• Strong Java and UNIX/Linux fundamentals are required.
• Experience developing automated trading systems, ideally for market-making and hedging in liquid markets.
• Good analytical skills and the ability to translate requirements into solid engineering solutions.

Responsibilities

• Build and enhance algorithmic trading strategies and engines using core Java.
• Collaborate with trading, quant and IT teams to advance the platform and its businesses.
• Design, develop and deploy changes across the full SDLC in a high-volume, low-latency environment.
• Maintain scalable, resilient trading infrastructure and data processing pipelines.
• Communicate with product leads to identify opportunities for improvement in technology solutions.

Skills

Core Java

UNIX/Linux

Git/Stash

Jenkins

JUnit

Low latency

Trading systems

Problem solving

Tools

KDB/q

Job description

• Good Linux fundamentals.

We’re seeking someone to join our team as an experienced algorithmic trading Java developer to support the Structured and Exchange-Traded Product market‑making businesses. The candidate should possess good analytical skills and computer programming experience and a logical approach to problem solving. The role involves building, deploying and supporting algorithmic trading strategies, analytical tools and scalable trading engine infrastructure, working as part of a fast-moving IT / quant / trading team. The candidate should be a strong problem solver and be able to bring with them positivity and enthusiasm in sourcing and offering potential solutions for architectural considerations with a can‑do attitude.

In the Technology division, we leverage innovation to build the connections and capabilities that power our Firm, enabling our clients and colleagues to redefine markets and shape the future of our communities.

This is a Lead Software Engineering position at VP level, which is part of the job family responsible for developing and maintaining software solutions that support business needs.

Since 1935, Morgan Stanley is known as a global leader in financial services, continuously evolving and innovating to better serve our clients and our communities in more than 40 countries around the world.

What You’ll Do In The Role

• You will be using core Java to build and enhance trading strategies and engines.
• The role involves working directly with trading, quant and IT teams to advance the platform and the businesses it serves.
• The project portfolio is typically varied, spanning new and existing algorithm development, improving the technical and execution performance of trading systems and the generation and analysis of trading signals and data.
• You will be part of a team which is involved in the full system development lifecycle from discussing and agreeing requirements through to designing, developing and deploying the changes.
• The systems you will work on are high volume, low latency, resilient, scalable and message‑driven based on cutting edge Java and utilising the latest hardware.
• Communicate regularly with product leads across the technology organization and discuss opportunities for improvement to existing and future technology solutions.

What You’ll Bring To The Role

• Ability to effectively manage multiple functions or guide junior staff and initiatives.
• Advanced understanding of business line and discipline with some knowledge of competitive environment and other disciplines.
• Core Java (21+) knowledge in on‑premises UNIX / Linux environments. The team does not host processes in the cloud or use Kubernetes.
• Experience with developing automated trading systems, ideally for market‑making and hedging in liquid markets.
• Ability to analyse business and technical requirements and translate them into well‑designed and engineered solutions.
• A logical approach to problem solving and good analytical skills.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to work in a cross‑functional team.
• User‑level experience with Git/Stash and Jenkins. Configuration / administration is rarely required.
• Experience with unit testing frameworks such as Junit.
• An interest in learning the businesses supported by the applications.
• Good Linux fundamentals.

Skills Desired

• Reactive programming frameworks and techniques
• FIX protocol.
• Frontier agentic AI products such as Claude Code and Sourcegraph AMP.
• Time‑series data analysis in technologies such as KDB/q.
• Web UI technologies including Typescript and Angular.
• Low‑latency messaging middleware pub / sub technologies.
• Understanding of financial products in general and equity derivatives especially.

What You Can Expect From Morgan Stanley

At Morgan Stanley, we raise, manage and allocate capital for our clients – helping them reach their goals. We do it in a way that’s differentiated – and we’ve done that for 90 years. Our values - putting clients first, doing the right thing, leading with exceptional ideas, committing to diversity and inclusion, and giving back - aren’t just beliefs, they guide the decisions we make every day to do what’s best for our clients, communities and more than 80,000 employees in 1,200 offices across 42 countries. At Morgan Stanley, you’ll find an opportunity to work alongside the best and the brightest, in an environment where you are supported and empowered. Our teams are relentless collaborators and creative thinkers, fueled by their diverse backgrounds and experiences. We are proud to support our employees and their families at every point along their work‑life journey, offering some of the most attractive and comprehensive employee benefits and perks in the industry. There’s also ample opportunity to move about the business for those who show passion and grit in their work.

To learn more about our offices across the globe, please copy and paste https://www.morganstanley.com/about-us/global-offices into your browser.

Certified Persons Regulatory Requirements

If this role is deemed a Certified role and may require the role holder to hold mandatory regulatory qualifications or the minimum qualifications to meet internal company benchmarks.

Flexible work statement

Interested in flexible working opportunities? Morgan Stanley empowers employees to have greater freedom of choice through flexible working arrangements. Speak to our recruitment team to find out more.

Morgan Stanley is an equal opportunity employer committed to building and maintaining a workforce that is diverse in experience and background. Our recruiting efforts reflect our strong commitment to a culture of inclusion, where individuals are hired, developed, and advanced based on their skills and talents.

Our workforce reflects a broad cross‑section of the global communities in which we operate, bringing a variety of backgrounds, talents, perspectives, and experiences.

For more information, please visit: https://www.morganstanley.com/people-opportunities/eeo.