Software Developer (Gateway/Market Data)

OP Recruiting; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus potential

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) matching

Hybrid work schedule

Paid time off

Job summary

OP Recruiting is seeking a Software Developer (Gateway/Market Data) in Chicago, IL, a hybrid role building ultra-fast data integration pipelines and high-efficiency order gateways for financial markets.

You will work with trading desks and researchers to optimize performance and reduce latency across high-throughput systems, including integration with external market centers and venue teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or an equivalent technical field.
• Proven track record architecting performance-critical applications in modern C++ (C++14 or newer).
• Hands-on background constructing message parsers, execution gateways, or market data feed engines.
• Solid mastery of low-level networking, socket communications, TCP/IP, and UDP multicast within Linux environments.
• Familiarity with financial messaging standards (e.g., FIX, ITCH, or proprietary binary feeds).
• Practical experience employing packet capture utilities (such as tcpdump or Wireshark) for network analysis.
• Strong analytical mindset with a passion for reducing latency and scaling fault-tolerant systems.
• Clear communication skills with a collaborative approach to solving complex engineering challenges.

Responsibilities

• Architecture & Engineering: Direct the evolution of high-speed order execution gateways and real-time market data ingestion engines.
• Protocol & Market Integration: Implement and refine integration layers for external market centers utilizing standard financial transmission formats and custom binary streams.
• Performance Optimization: Diagnose network and execution delays to minimize software overhead across operating system and hardware boundaries.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Interface with quantitative researchers and execution traders to expand market reach and integrate new liquidity venues.
• Data Management: Establish robust mechanisms to log, store, and stream historical market signals for analytical review.
• Partner & Vendor Alignment: Resolve technical integration hurdles directly with external trading partners, data providers, and venue teams.

Skills

Modern C++

Low latency

Linux networking

TCP/UDP

FIX/ITCH

Packet capture

Analytical mindset

Team communication

Education

BS in CS/SE

Tools

tcpdump

Wireshark

Custom parsers

Job description

Job Title

Software Developer (Gateway/Market Data)

Location

Chicago, IL Metro Area (Hybrid)

About The Opportunity

Step into a key engineering role building backbone execution technology for advanced financial markets. You will engineer ultra-fast data integration pipelines and high-efficiency order gateways that handle massive throughput with sub-millisecond precision. Working alongside trading desks and research teams, you’ll drive performance optimizations that keep execution speed at the cutting edge.

Responsibilities

• Architecture & Engineering: Direct the evolution of high-speed order execution gateways and real-time market data ingestion engines.


• Protocol & Market Integration: Implement and refine integration layers for external market centers utilizing standard financial transmission formats and custom binary streams.


• Performance Optimization: Diagnose network and execution delays to minimize software overhead across operating system and hardware boundaries.


• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Interface with quantitative researchers and execution traders to expand market reach and integrate new liquidity venues.


• Data Management: Establish robust mechanisms to log, store, and stream historical market signals for analytical review.


• Partner & Vendor Alignment: Resolve technical integration hurdles directly with external trading partners, data providers, and venue teams.

Requirements (must-have)

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or an equivalent technical field.


• Proven track record architecting performance-critical applications in modern C++ (C++14 or newer).


• Hands-on background constructing message parsers, execution gateways, or market data feed engines.


• Solid mastery of low-level networking, socket communications, TCP/IP, and UDP multicast within Linux environments.


• Familiarity with financial messaging standards (e.g., FIX, ITCH, or proprietary binary feeds).


• Practical experience employing packet capture utilities (such as tcpdump or Wireshark) for network analysis.


• Strong analytical mindset with a passion for reducing latency and scaling fault-tolerant systems.


• Clear communication skills with a collaborative approach to solving complex engineering challenges.

Preferred Qualifications (nice-to-have)

• Prior exposure to automated trading desks, high-frequency execution platforms, or algorithmic trading setups.


• Background in kernel tuning, network interface optimization, or lock-free concurrency patterns.


• Direct involvement with venue certification processes and live exchange connectivity.

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive base salary paired with performance-based bonus potential.


• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision coverage.


• 401(k) retirement plan with company contribution matching.


• Flexible hybrid work schedule and generous paid time off package.

Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE).

Accepting Candidates