C++ Quant Developer – Low Latency Execution & Market Data | Prop Trading Desk | London

A high-performance proprietary trading desk is seeking a C++ Quant Developer who can build and optimise the low-latency execution systems and market data infrastructure that directly determines trading edge. Candidates at this level are competed for aggressively across the prop trading and HFT landscape — compensation is structured to reflect that.

The Environment:

You will join a tight-knit team of exceptional engineers where technical standards are extremely high. Every component you write runs in production daily, processes live market data, and directly affects P&L. This is not an environment for generalist engineers — it is for specialists who care deeply about performance, correctness, and reliability.

Key Responsibilities:

• Build and optimise low-latency C++ components: market data handlers, order routing, and execution engines

• Implement kernel bypass networking (DPDK, Solarflare/OpenOnload) and RDMA where applicable

• Develop lock-free data structures and wait-free algorithms for critical execution paths

• Collaborate with quant researchers to implement strategy logic with minimal latency overhead

• Profile and benchmark system components; own latency reduction from microseconds to nanoseconds

• Build simulation and backtesting infrastructure with tick-level data fidelity

• Maintain production reliability through rigorous testing, monitoring, and incident response

Required Experience & Qualifications:

• 4–10 years of C++ development in an HFT, prop trading, or ultra-low latency environment

• Expert modern C++ (C++17/20): templates, memory management, concurrency, and performance patterns

• Hands-on experience with kernel bypass, DPDK, or network hardware acceleration

• Deep Linux systems knowledge: NUMA, CPU affinity, huge pages, IRQ isolation

• Experience with exchange protocols: ITCH, OUCH, SBE, FIX

• Python for tooling and analysis; FPGA familiarity a significant plus

• Computer Science or Engineering degree from a top university

What We Offer:

• Industry-leading compensation for C++ specialists at this level

• Direct production impact in a live trading environment

• Small, elite engineering team with exceptional technical culture