Execution Algo Developer

The Role

As an Execution Developer at Man you will be building the tools, platforms and algorithms that enable Man’s investment engines - AHL, Numeric and our Discretionary teams - to drive forward their centralised global trading operation. This includes internal algorithmic execution in Futures and FX, systematic routing of Global Equity as well as enabling access to liquidity in almost every other asset class.

This role is part of a significant investment within our Equity execution capability. The project is to build a best-in-class low latency algorithmic trading platform initially focussed on the equity markets. As a new initiative, there are many opportunities to make a difference and gain valuable experience within the world of algorithmic trading. The project will encompass both the research framework and the market facing services, necessitating deep interaction and collaboration with both our Trading Desk and the Execution Research team.

The project is planned to include development of new execution algorithms, the platforms on which they run, simulation environments, connectivity to execution venues and brokers, monitoring capability, post-trade performance analysis and software to optimise all aspects of the algorithmic trading lifecycle.

We are looking to hire talented software engineers across the experience spectrum. Experience with algorithm development or depth in understanding of equity markets will be an advantage.

The Team

The team is currently undergoing significant investment in order to rationalise the trading capability across AHL, Numeric and the Discretionary teams.  The engineering team works exceptionally closely with both the Trading Desk and the Execution Research team in order to design, build and maintain a world-class trading capability.  We have trading floors in London, Hong Kong, Boston and New York and are responsible for trading in excess of 5 trillion dollars annually.

We are continually expanding the markets, asset classes and regions in which we trade as well as the styles in which we trade them.  The team is responsible for designing imaginative and flexible software and tools to keep pace with this change.

Our Technology

Our systems are almost all running on Linux and most of our code is in Java, with some Python and TypeScript. We use Kafka and Aeron as well as Bitbucket for source control, Jenkins for continuous integration, Grafana + Prometheus for metrics collection, Docker for containerisation, OpenStack for our private cloud, Ansible for architecture automation, and Slack for internal communication. But our technology list is never static, we constantly evaluate new tools and libraries.

Man Tech has a small company, no-attitude feel. It is flat structured, open, transparent and collaborative, and you will have plenty of opportunity to grow and have enormous impact on what we do. We are actively engaged with the broader technology community.

• We host and sponsor London’s PyData and Machine Learning Meetups
• We open-source some of our technology including parts of our Data Platform. See https://github.com/man-group
• We regularly talk at leading industry conferences, and tweet about relevant technology and how we’re using it. See @ManQuantTech

We’re fortunate enough to have a fantastic open-plan office overlooking the River Thames, and continually strive to make our environment a great place in which to work. We offer flexible working, competitive compensation, a generous holiday allowance, health and other benefits. We are also committed to continuous learning and development via coaching, mentoring, conference attendance and sponsoring academic and professional qualifications.

Technology and Business Skills

You will be an expert software developer and ideally have an understanding of the financial markets with relevant electronic trading experience in at least one of the asset classes that we trade.  You’ll be a member of a highly-focussed team with an exceptionally broad responsibility, so great communication skills and an ability to work as part of a team are a must.  You’ll possess a significant proportion of the following skill-set;

Required

• Expert proficiency in Java.
• Python skills a significant advantage.
• Database / SQL skills – ideally Oracle.
• Great communication skills coupled with the ability to work closely with Researchers, Traders, Operations, Support and Developers alike to rapidly understand business requirements and build robust solutions.
• A proponent of strong software engineering techniques and agile methods: continuous integration, code review, unit testing, refactoring and related approaches.
• Proficient working on both Linux and Windows platforms.

Advantageous

• An excellent understanding of financial markets and instruments, particularly equities
• Experience developing trading algorithms
• Experience with FIX a significant advantage.
• Experience of front office low latency software and/or trading systems development e.g. in a hedge fund or investment bank
• Expertise in building distributed systems with service-based or event-driven architectures, and concurrent processing
• Experience of web based development
• Experience working closely with Quants and/or Traders
• Relevant mathematical knowledge e.g. statistics, asset pricing, time-series analysis optimisation algorithms.

Personal Attributes

• Strong academic record and a degree with high mathematical and computing content e.g. Computer Science, Mathematics, Engineering or Physics from a leading university
• Craftsman-like approach to building software; takes pride in engineering excellence and instils these values in others
• Demonstrable passion for technology e.g. personal projects, open-source involvement
• Intellectually robust with a keenly analytic approach to problem solving
• Self-organised with the ability to effectively manage time across multiple projects and with competing business demands and priorities
• Focused on delivering value to the business with relentless efforts to improve process
• Strong interpersonal skills; able to establish and maintain a close working relationship with quantitative researchers, traders and senior business people alike
• Confident communicator; able to argue a point concisely and deal positively with conflicting views.

Our Culture, Values and Benefits at Man

Man Group is proud to provide the best working environment possible for all of its employees, and we are committed to equal opportunities. At Man Group we believe that a diverse workforce is a critical factor in the success of our business and this is embedded in our culture and values. There are a number of external and internal initiatives, partnerships and programmes that help us to attract and develop talent from diverse backgrounds and that encourage inclusion and diversity across our firm and the industry. Man Group is a Signatory of the Women in Finance Charter and the Race at Work Charter.  Man Group is also a Disability Confident Committed employer; if you require help or information on reasonable adjustments as you apply for roles with us, please contact Write an email.  https://www.man.com/diversity

Man Group supports many charities, and global initiatives. We support professional training and development, and requests for flexible or part-time working. Employees are also offered two 'Mankind' days of paid leave per year as part of the Man Charitable Trust's community volunteering programme.

We offer comprehensive, firm-wide employee benefits including competitive holiday entitlements, pension/401k, life and long-term disability coverage, group sick pay, enhanced parental leave and long-service leave.  Additional benefits are tailored to local markets and may include private medical coverage, discounted gym membership and wellbeing programmes.

Man Group is a Disability Confident Committed employer; if you require help or information on reasonable adjustments as you apply for roles with us, please contact Write an email.