Trading or Low-Latency Developer

Vallum Associates; Greater London; On-site; GBP 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Vallum Associates in London seeks an experienced Java Low Latency - Full Stack Engineer to design and optimize ultra-fast, fault-tolerant systems for real-time market data distribution. You will work onsite three days per week, collaborating with quantitative, trading, and engineering teams to push sub-microsecond performance.

You will combine Core Java and C++ expertise with deep Linux knowledge to fine-tune network stacks, implement kernel bypass techniques, and deploy scalable platforms

Qualifications

• 5-10 years of software engineering experience in high-frequency trading (HFT), financial markets, or ultra-low-latency environments.
• Strong hands-on development with Core Java and C++.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and maintain high-performance, ultra-low-latency software applications and market data distribution systems.
• Build, tune, and support low-latency network programming solutions and kernel bypass architectures on Linux environments.
• Develop and enhance high-throughput, low-latency components using Core Java and C++.
• Manage deployments, tooling, and infrastructure automation using internal and enterprise deployment pipelines.
• Integrate, optimise, and distribute real-time market data across over 70 proprietary direct feeds in EMEA, US Options, and MIFID II market structures.
• Collaborate with cross-functional quantitative, trading, and engineering teams to deliver extremely reliable, fault-tolerant, and sub-microsecond resilient systems.
• Perform rigorous performance analysis, latency troubleshooting, and system tuning of applications, network stacks, and market data distribution protocols (Denali, MPAC, Beacon, Refinitiv ETA).
• Support knowledge transfer and handover activities as part of project onboarding and cross-team enablement

Skills

Core Java

C++

Linux

Kernel bypass tuning

Network programming

Latency tuning

Troubleshooting

Communication

Job description

Job Title: Java Low Latency - Full Stack Engineer (Core Java / C++)

Location: London, United Kingdom

Working Mode: Onsite, three days per week

Description

Financial markets move faster than most systems can keep up, and the difference between milliseconds and microseconds is measured in opportunity. Ultra-low-latency trading platforms demand relentless precision, where every component must deliver fault tolerance and resilience at scale. This Full Stack Engineer role in London is onsite three days per week, embedded in the heart of high-frequency trading environments. You shape the backbone of real-time market data distribution, collaborating with quantitative, trading, and engineering teams to push the limits of speed and reliability. The market rewards those who build platforms that never miss a tick.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and maintain high-performance, ultra-low-latency software applications and market data distribution systems
• Build, tune, and support low-latency network programming solutions and kernel bypass architectures on Linux environments
• Develop and enhance high-throughput, low-latency components using Core Java and C++
• Manage deployments, tooling, and infrastructure automation using internal and enterprise deployment pipelines.
• Integrate, optimise, and distribute real-time market data across over 70 proprietary direct feeds in EMEA, US Options, and MIFID II market structures
• Collaborate with cross-functional quantitative, trading, and engineering teams to deliver extremely reliable, fault-tolerant, and sub-microsecond resilient systems
• Perform rigorous performance analysis, latency troubleshooting, and system tuning of applications, network stacks, and market data distribution protocols (Denali, MPAC, Beacon, Refinitiv ETA)
• Support knowledge transfer and handover activities as part of project onboarding and cross-team enablement

Requirements

• 5-10 years of software engineering experience in high-frequency trading (HFT), financial markets, or ultra-low-latency environments
• Strong hands‑on development expertise with Core Java and C++
• Deep expertise in Linux systems, kernel bypass low‑latency tuning, and low‑latency network programming
• Expert knowledge of market data distribution protocols, including Refinitiv ETA, Denali, MPAC, and Beacon
• Comprehensive domain knowledge across EMEA, US Options, and MIFID II market structures, alongside experience with over 70 proprietary direct feeds
• Experience with deployment and management tools.
• Strong performance tuning, profiling, and network/application troubleshooting skills
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and communication abilities

Nice to Have

• Entrepreneurial mindset with a proactive, ownership-driven approach in high‑pressure trading floors
• Experience in event-driven architecture, distributed systems, and hardware-software co-design
• Knowledge of CI/CD practices, automated testing, and DevOps automation tailored for low‑latency builds
• Experience working in large-scale enterprise financial environments and electronic trading desks
• Familiarity with advanced monitoring, hardware timestamping, and network telemetry tools