Java Software Engineer

Paragon Alpha - Hedge Fund Talent Business; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 225,000 - 275,000; Full time

Job summary

Paragon Alpha - Hedge Fund Talent Business in Chicago seeks a highly capable Java engineer to join its technology team in a high-performance environment. You’ll work on core systems where concurrency and scalability matter, applying strong Java fundamentals to real-world trading and data challenges.

Open to outstanding junior developers from outside finance; your engineering ability matters more than hedge fund experience.

Qualifications

• Strong Java background and fundamentals.
• Understanding of multithreading, concurrency, and distributed systems.
• Interest in performance and scalability; how complex systems work.
• Ability to tackle technical problems independently and collaborate with engineers.
• Familiarity with AI-assisted development tools.

Skills

Java

Multithreading

Concurrency

Distributed systems

Performance

Scalability

Independent problem solving

AI-assisted tools

Job description

Java Engineer | Hedge Fund | up to $250k

You know your way around Java. You enjoy getting into the weeds of how systems work. You've probably spent more time thinking about concurrency than is socially acceptable.

But somehow, you're still on the outside looking in when it comes to hedge funds. This could be your way in.

I'm working with a leading investment firm in Chicago looking for an exceptional Java engineer to join its technology team.

They're open to outstanding junior developers from outside finance, so if you've got the engineering ability but not the hedge fund experience, don't count yourself out.

You’ll be joining a highly technical environment where performance matters, engineering standards are high and your work has a direct impact on the business. It's an opportunity to take the skills you've developed so far and apply them in a completely new setting.

What you'll bring

• A seriously strong Java background and excellent coding fundamentals
• A solid understanding of multithreading, concurrency and distributed systems
• A genuine interest in performance, scalability and how complex systems work
• The ability to tackle technical problems independently and collaborate with experienced engineers
• Familiarity with AI-assisted development tools

Previous finance experience? Not essential for the right junior engineer.

Why consider it?

• A genuine opportunity to break into the hedge fund industry
• The chance to apply your Java skills in a high-performance environment
• Exposure to how technology supports real investment decisions
• The opportunity to learn from experienced engineers and develop your career in a new direction

If you're the person your mates come to when their code breaks, or you've been quietly building a ridiculous level of Java knowledge and wondering where to take it next, this is worth exploring.

You don't need to know the difference between a market maker and a market taker just yet. That's the bit you can learn.

If you're a seriously strong Java developer in Chicago looking to break into finance, let's chat!