Senior Backend Software Engineer/Java Trading Systems-remote

Ironbeam, Inc.; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Ironbeam, Inc. in Chicago, IL seeks a Senior Java Developer to evolve backend and middleware for trading and market data infrastructure. You will work on real trading systems, ensuring correctness, speed, and resilience.

You will design and implement backend services in Java, build REST APIs, and collaborate with teams to deliver robust solutions in a fast-paced, regulated financial environment.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of professional software development experience.
• Strong expertise in Java (core, concurrency, performance tuning).
• Experience building trading systems or financial infrastructure.
• Understanding of distributed systems, messaging, and SOA.
• Experience with REST server development.
• Comfort in regulated financial environments.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement backend services for trading, market data, and post-trade workflows.
• Develop and maintain low-latency, high-reliability Java applications.
• Build and consume REST APIs and internal service interfaces.
• Integrate with exchanges, clearinghouses, and regulatory bodies.
• Process real-time and historical market data feeds.
• Work with Microsoft SQL Server on schema design, performance tuning, and data integrity.
• Contribute to system architecture, technical standards, and best practices.
• Assist with other engineering initiatives as needed (learning new languages, frameworks, or systems when required).
• Participate in code reviews, design discussions, and production support when necessary.

Skills

Java

REST APIs

Concurrency

Distributed systems

SQL Server

Performance tuning

Code reviews

Technical architecture

Tools

Linux

Job description

We are seeking a Senior Java Developer to help evolve and extend the backend and middleware systems of our trading and market data infrastructure. This role is for an experienced engineer who is comfortable operating across complex high-performance systems in fast paced financial environments.

You will work on real trading systems: market data ingestion, exchange connectivity, clearing and regulatory workflows, pre and post trade processing, and internal services that must be correct, fast, and resilient.

You’ll be expected to think like an architect, write production-grade code, and collaborate across engineering and business teams to deliver robust solutions.

What You’ll Do

• Design and implement backend services for trading, market data, and post-trade workflows
• Develop and maintain low-latency, high-reliability Java applications
• Build and consume REST APIs and internal service interfaces
• Integrate with exchanges, clearinghouses, and regulatory bodies
• Process real-time and historical market data feeds
• Work with Microsoft SQL Server on schema design, performance tuning, and data integrity
• Contribute to system architecture, technical standards, and best practices
• Assist with other engineering initiatives as needed (learning new languages, frameworks, or systems when required)
• Participate in code reviews, design discussions, and production support when necessary

What We’re Looking For

• 8+ years of professional software development experience
• Strong expertise in Java (core Java, concurrency, performance tuning)
• Experience building trading systems, market data platforms, or financial infrastructure
• Solid understanding of distributed systems, messaging, and service-oriented architectures
• Experience with REST server development
• Comfort working in regulated environments (financial, trading, compliance-driven systems)

Preferred / Nice to Have

• Experience with exchange protocols, FIX, or proprietary market data feeds
• Knowledge of clearing and settlement workflows
• Exposure to regulatory reporting or compliance systems
• Experience with Linux-based server environments
• Familiarity with cloud or hybrid infrastructure (not required, but helpful)