Principal C++ Engineer

Acquire Me; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Acquire Me in the United States (NYC/Chicago) seeks a Principal C++ Software Engineer for trading execution. You will work on high-performance C++ systems that power the firm’s options market-making platform, partnering with traders, quants and engineers to cut latency and improve reliability.

You will own the design, implementation and live deployment of execution engines, turning performance insights into actionable improvements and ensuring systems remain robust under demanding market

Qualifications

• Strong C++ programming skills and production software experience.
• Solid CS fundamentals: algorithms, data structures, concurrency.
• Experience with performance-critical, reliable systems.
• Ownership mindset and collaborative work style.

Responsibilities

• Build and improve C++ execution engines and automated trading systems.
• Identify bottlenecks and reduce latency across the execution path.
• Develop and refine execution logic alongside traders and quants.
• Improve system reliability, scalability and operational simplicity.
• Investigate production behaviour and turn performance insights into engineering improvements.

Skills

C++ development

Concurrency

Performance optimization

System design

Job description

Principal C++ Software Engineer - Trading Execution - NYC/Chicago - Hybrid

A leading proprietary trading firm is hiring C++ engineers to build and improve the execution systems behind its options market-making business.

The engineering goal is to make trading faster, more efficient and more reliable, reducing latency, improving execution decisions and ensuring systems perform under demanding market conditions.

You'll work on performance-critical C++ systems, partnering directly with traders, quants and other engineers. There's a clear connection between the code you write, how effectively the firm trades and the commercial impact of your work.

What You'll Do

• Build and improve C++ execution engines and automated trading systems
• Identify bottlenecks and reduce latency across the execution path
• Develop and refine execution logic alongside traders and quants
• Improve system reliability, scalability and operational simplicity
• Investigate production behaviour and turn performance insights into engineering improvementsOwn changes from design and implementation through to live trading

What We're Looking For

• Strong C++ skills and experience building production software
• Strong CS fundamentals, including algorithms, data structures and concurrency
• Experience with systems where performance, reliability and correctness matter
• Engineers who enjoy ownership, technical collaboration and measurable impact
• No prior trading or quantitative finance experience required.

We welcome engineers from technology companies and other performance-focused environments.

All conversations strictly confidential.