Senior C++ in High Frequency Trading

Access Search, Inc.; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Medical/dental/vision

Relocation assistance

Generous vacation

Training & development

Catered lunches

Team events

Casual environment

Job summary

Access Search, Inc. is seeking a highly skilled C++ Software Engineer to design, develop, and optimize mission-critical systems powering electronic trading.

You will work with traders, researchers, and infrastructure teams to build high-performance applications handling real-time market data, order management, and strategy deployment. Ideal candidates have 5+ years of C++ experience, deep knowledge of modern C++ (C++17/20), Linux, and multithreading.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of professional software development experience in C++.
• Strong knowledge of modern C++ (C++17/20 preferred), including concurrency, memory management, and performance optimization.
• Experience developing high-performance, distributed, or low-latency applications.
• Solid understanding of data structures, algorithms, and computer systems fundamentals.
• Familiarity with Linux development environments and systems programming concepts.
• Experience working with multithreaded applications and network programming.
• Strong debugging and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with engineers, traders, and researchers in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent communication skills and attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and maintain high-performance C++ applications used throughout the trading lifecycle.
• Build and optimize low-latency systems for market data processing, order management, and trade execution.
• Collaborate with traders and quantitative researchers to implement and enhance trading strategies.
• Profile, benchmark, and optimize software to minimize latency and maximize throughput.
• Develop scalable infrastructure and tooling to support research, trading, and operational workflows.
• Troubleshoot complex production issues across applications, operating systems, and networking layers.
• Participate in architecture discussions and contribute to the long-term technical direction of core trading systems.
• Improve system reliability, monitoring, and operational visibility across critical services.
• Work closely with infrastructure and DevOps teams to deploy and support trading applications in co-located data centers and production environments.
• Contribute to code reviews and uphold high standards of software quality, testing, and engineering excellence.

Skills

C++

C++17/20

Concurrency

Memory management

Linux development

Multithreading

Networking

Debugging

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Mathematics, Physics

Tools

Python

TCP/UDP networking

Job description

We are a leading quantitative trading firm operating at the intersection of technology, research, and financial markets. Our success is driven by the ability to build highly performant systems that process vast amounts of market data and execute trading strategies with exceptional speed and reliability. Our collaborative environment brings together software engineers, traders, and quantitative researchers to solve complex technical challenges and continuously push the boundaries of low-latency technology.

About the Role

As a C++ Software Engineer, you will design, develop, and optimize the mission-critical systems that power our electronic trading business. Working closely with traders, quantitative researchers, and infrastructure teams, you will build high-performance applications that handle real-time market data, order execution, and trading strategy deployment across global financial markets.

This role is ideal for engineers who are passionate about performance optimization, systems programming, and solving challenging technical problems in a fast-paced environment where code quality, efficiency, and reliability directly impact business outcomes.

What You'll Do

• Design, develop, and maintain high-performance C++ applications used throughout the trading lifecycle.
• Build and optimize low-latency systems for market data processing, order management, and trade execution.
• Collaborate with traders and quantitative researchers to implement and enhance trading strategies.
• Profile, benchmark, and optimize software to minimize latency and maximize throughput.
• Develop scalable infrastructure and tooling to support research, trading, and operational workflows.
• Troubleshoot complex production issues across applications, operating systems, and networking layers.
• Participate in architecture discussions and contribute to the long-term technical direction of core trading systems.
• Improve system reliability, monitoring, and operational visibility across critical services.
• Work closely with infrastructure and DevOps teams to deploy and support trading applications in co-located data centers and production environments.
• Contribute to code reviews and uphold high standards of software quality, testing, and engineering excellence.

What You'll Need

• 5+ years of professional software development experience in C++.
• Strong knowledge of modern C++ (C++17/20 preferred), including concurrency, memory management, and performance optimization.
• Experience developing high-performance, distributed, or low-latency applications.
• Solid understanding of data structures, algorithms, and computer systems fundamentals.
• Familiarity with Linux development environments and systems programming concepts.
• Experience working with multithreaded applications and network programming.
• Strong debugging and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with engineers, traders, and researchers in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent communication skills and attention to detail.
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, or a related technical discipline.
• Ability to work on-site in our Chicago office.
• Must have valid, ongoing, unrestricted authorization to work in the United States without the need for employer-sponsored or self-initiated immigration filings.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in electronic trading, market structure, or capital markets.
• Knowledge of TCP/UDP networking, kernel bypass technologies, or exchange connectivity.
• Experience with lock-free programming, latency profiling, and performance tuning.
• Familiarity with Python for tooling, automation, or research workflows.
• Experience working in Linux production environments.
• Understanding of distributed systems and high-availability architectures.

What You'll Get

• Competitive salary and performance-based bonus opportunities.
• Top-tier medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Relocation assistance package.
• Generous vacation policy.
• Ongoing training and professional development opportunities.
• Catered lunches, snacks, and beverages.
• Team outings and company-sponsored events.
• Casual and collaborative work environment.
• Direct exposure to some of the most challenging engineering problems in the financial technology industry.