C++ Software Engineer - Core Trading Technology at Qube Research & Technologies (Chicago, IL)
Qube Research & Technologies· Chicago, IL·
Job description
Qube Research & Technologies (QRT) is a global quantitative and systematic investment manager, operating in all liquid asset classes across the world. We are a technology- and data-driven group implementing a scientific approach to investing. Combining data, research, technology, and trading expertise has shaped our collaborative mindset, which enables us to solve the most complex challenges. QRT’s culture of innovation continuously drives our ambition to deliver high-quality returns for our investors.
You will join the Core Trading Platform team, which is responsible for the design and operation of QRT’s global electronic trading infrastructure. This team builds and maintains the ultra-low latency systems that underpin real-time trading, managing performance-critical workflows across global markets. You will work closely with developers, traders, and operations to optimise system behaviour, reduce latency, and ensure platform reliability at scale.
Your future role within QRT
- Design and implement low-latency trading systems on Linux, focused on throughput, reliability, and determinism
- Engineer scalable, high-performance distributed systems that support global real-time trading workflows
- Analyse system behaviour using low-level tools such as packet captures, core dumps, and runtime profilers
- Apply deep expertise in TCP, UDP, and multicast to understanding trade-offs in short-haul vs long-haul networks
- Continuously profile, benchmark, and optimise code to reduce latency and increase throughput
- Engage across the full software lifecycle: from architecture to debugging in live trading environments
Your present skillset
- 2+ years of professional C++/C development experience on Linux, including modern C++ and multithreading
- Strong expertise in TCP, UDP, multicast, and performance trade-offs in low-latency networks
- Experience building and operating high-throughput distributed systems in production
- Familiarity with scalable I/O models (e.g., epoll, io_uring), lock-free structures, and concurrent programming
- Deep attention to detail with a rigorous approach to performance troubleshooting and optimisation
- Proficiency in system-level tools (e.g., gdb, perf, tcpdump, valgrind, wireshark)
- Comfortable working autonomously and taking ownership from problem to solution
- Scripting experience (e.g., Python, Bash) and exposure to CI/CD or observability tooling is a plus
- Prior exposure to electronic trading or exchange-facing systems is advantageous
Base salary range for this position is $150,000 to $220,000 per year.
QRT Total Compensation includes discretionary performance-based bonuses and a competitive benefits package.
Why work at Qube Research & Technologies
- Compensation & Career Growth: Highly competitive pay. Interns can earn around $12k per month. Over 40% of staff are in a deferred compensation plan with exposure to fund performance. Glassdoor rating of 4.1/5.0, with compensation (4.0) and career opportunities (4.1) as top highlights.
- Culture & Demographics: Young, high-performance culture (74% of staff aged 40 or under, 38% aged 30 or under). 90% of staff reported good team morale in an internal survey. Described as a "fertile ground for experimental research."
- Work Environment: Hybrid/office-based depending on role and location. Offices in London (HQ), Paris, Hong Kong, Singapore, New York, Chicago, Dubai, Mumbai, Geneva, and more. New London office in Victoria.
- Notable Perks: Deferred compensation plan with fund performance exposure. Interns can earn around $12k per month. Strong focus on work-life balance initiatives.
- Engineering Culture: Heavy emphasis on technology (Python, C++, C#, Snowflake, FPGA, low-latency systems, MLflow, Kubernetes). 22% of staff are in Research roles, 6% in Technical roles. Strong support for coding initiatives and academic projects in maths and science.