C++ Software Enginner, Options Trading Strategy Developer

Selby Jennings; Bala Cynwyd (PA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Selby Jennings is seeking a Senior C++ Engineer to join its Options Trading team. You will partner directly with traders and quantitative researchers to develop, optimize, and deploy automated trading strategies in real time.

This front-office role emphasizes collaboration, fast feedback, and measurable impact on trading performance. Candidates should have strong C++ experience, performance optimization skills, and comfort working in Windows-based environments.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of professional software engineering experience.
• Experience building performance-sensitive applications.
• Strong communication skills and ability to work directly with end users.
• Desire to work in a highly collaborative, front-office environment.
• Willingness to develop in a Windows-based technology stack.

Responsibilities

• Develop and enhance automated options trading strategies and execution systems.
• Partner directly with traders and quantitative researchers to bring new ideas into production.
• Optimize systems for execution speed, reliability, and scalability.
• Build real-time applications that identify and capitalize on market opportunities.
• Contribute to architecture decisions and the evolution of the firm's trading platform.
• Work on business-critical systems with direct visibility into trading performance.

Skills

C++

Performance optimization

Communication

Front-office collaboration

Windows development

Tools

TCP/UDP networking

Multithreading

Real-time systems

Job description

A leading quantitative trading firm is seeking a Senior C++ Engineer to join its Options Trading business, partnering directly with traders and quantitative researchers to develop, optimize, and deploy automated trading strategies.

This is a highly visible front-office role focused on identifying and executing market opportunities in real time. Rather than building infrastructure removed from the business, you'll work closely with the trading desk to improve execution, refine strategy behavior, and develop technology that directly impacts trading performance.

The team is looking for exceptional C++ engineers who enjoy working in a fast-paced, highly collaborative environment where ideas move quickly from research to production. Strong communication skills are essential, as engineers are embedded with the trading team and are expected to participate in discussions around strategy design, execution, and system performance.

What You'll Do

• Develop and enhance automated options trading strategies and execution systems
• Partner directly with traders and quantitative researchers to bring new ideas into production
• Optimize systems for execution speed, reliability, and scalability
• Build real-time applications that identify and capitalize on market opportunities
• Contribute to architecture decisions and the evolution of the firm's trading platform
• Work on business-critical systems with direct visibility into trading performance

What We're Looking For

• 5+ years of professional software engineering experience
• Experience building performance-sensitive applications
• Strong communication skills and ability to work directly with end users
• Desire to work in a highly collaborative, front-office environment
• Willingness to develop in a Windows-based technology stack

Preferred Background

• Options trading technology
• Electronic trading, market making, or execution platforms
• Quantitative trading systems
• TCP/UDP networking
• Systems programming and multithreading
• Performance optimization

Financial industry experience is strongly preferred, particularly candidates who have worked directly with trading desks, execution systems, or quantitative strategies. Exceptional C++ engineers from other performance-critical domains such as gaming, robotics, autonomous systems, networking, or high-performance computing will also be considered.

Why Consider It?

• Direct exposure to trading and strategy development
• Highly collaborative engineering culture
• Significant ownership and visibility
• Opportunity to work on systems where performance truly matters
• Ability to make a measurable impact on trading outcomes from day one