Lead Quantitative Developer

Placements24; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 1,800,000 - 2,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonuses

Private healthcare

Retirement plan

Growth opportunities

Relocation support

Cape Town office

Job summary

Placements24 is partnering with a leading financial services firm in Cape Town to hire a Lead Quantitative Developer. This senior role designs and implements high-performance quantitative models and trading systems in a low-latency environment.

You will collaborate with researchers and traders, backtest strategies, and mentor junior developers while contributing to architecture and performance improvements on our trading platforms. The role is based at the Cape Town headquarters.

Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in a quantitative field.
• 7+ years in quantitative development, hedge fund or prop trading.
• Expert proficiency in C++ and Python.
• Experience with low-latency/high-frequency trading systems.
• Strong understanding of financial markets, derivatives and trading strategies.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and maintain high-performance trading algorithms and related infrastructure.
• Develop and optimize low-latency execution systems and data processing pipelines.
• Collaborate with researchers and traders to implement new strategies and refine existing ones.
• Conduct backtesting and performance analysis of trading strategies.
• Ensure scalability, reliability, and robustness of software components.
• Mentor junior developers and contribute to trading platform architecture.

Skills

C++

Python

Education

Master's or PhD in a quantitative field

Tools

SQL

NoSQL

Distributed Systems

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a prominent financial services firm based in the vibrant city of Cape Town, Western Cape , is seeking an exceptional Lead Quantitative Developer . This senior role is crucial for designing, developing, and implementing sophisticated quantitative models and trading systems. You will be at the forefront of innovation, leveraging your deep expertise in programming, mathematics, and financial markets to drive algorithmic strategies and risk management solutions. This is a critical, office-based position that requires your full commitment to the team and operations in our Cape Town headquarters. The ideal candidate will possess a strong academic background and extensive practical experience in high-frequency trading environments.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, build, and maintain high-performance trading algorithms and related infrastructure.
• Develop and optimize low-latency execution systems and data processing pipelines.
• Collaborate closely with quantitative researchers and traders to implement new strategies and refine existing ones.
• Conduct rigorous backtesting and performance analysis of trading strategies.
• Ensure the scalability, reliability, and robustness of all developed software components.
• Mentor and guide junior developers, fostering a culture of technical excellence.
• Contribute to the architectural design of the firm's trading platforms.
• Identify and implement performance improvements in trading systems and data feeds.
• Stay current with cutting-edge technologies and methodologies in quantitative finance and software development.
• Manage project timelines and deliverables effectively, ensuring timely deployment of solutions.

Requirements

• Master's or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics, Engineering, or a related quantitative field.
• Minimum of 7 years of professional experience in quantitative development, preferably within the hedge fund or proprietary trading industry.
• Expert proficiency in C++ and Python is essential.
• Strong understanding of financial markets, derivatives, and trading strategies.
• Experience with low-latency programming techniques and high-frequency trading systems.
• Demonstrated ability in designing and implementing complex algorithms and data structures.
• Experience with database technologies (e.g., SQL, NoSQL) and distributed systems.
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and debugging skills.
• Proven leadership capabilities and experience mentoring development teams.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to work effectively in a collaborative trading environment in Cape Town .

Benefits

• Highly competitive base salary and significant performance-based bonuses.
• Comprehensive private healthcare coverage.
• Generous retirement contribution plan.
• Opportunities for substantial professional growth and exposure to cutting-edge financial technology.
• Collaborative and intellectually stimulating work environment.
• Relocation assistance may be available for exceptional candidates.
• Prime office location in Cape Town with excellent amenities.
• Annual performance reviews and clear career progression paths.
• Access to exclusive industry events and conferences.
• Regular team-building activities and social events.