Freelance Algorithmic Trading Software Developer Jobs in Irvine, CA

Job Description We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Senior Software Developer to join our team. This role will be instrumental in advancing our Empirical and Macro Research platform by focusing on Alpha Toolkit development, top-down optimization capabilities, and competitor ETFs infrastructure. We are looking for someone with a proven background in building full stack systems combined with strong analytical skills. In addition, you will contribute to other core components of our platform, ensuring robust, scalable, and efficient solutions for our Empirical Research platforms. Project Overview Our Empirical and Macro Research platform revolutionizes investment research by systematically applying advanced analytical frameworks and data-driven methodologies. The solution leverages cutting-edge techniques to empower Portfolio Managers and Quant Research Analysts with comprehensive alpha generation tools, macro analysis capabilities, and top-down optimization frameworks. The platform integrates diverse economic indicators, market data, and proprietary research models to generate actionable investment insights. In this role, you will:  Enhance the PM Alpha Toolkit with advanced analytical capabilities and research workflows.  Develop top-down optimization frameworks for macro strategies.  Build infrastructure for evaluating performance and investment decisions of Competitor ETFs.  Collaborate with Research Analysts, Portfolio Managers, and Quantitative teams to translate business requirements into technical designs. Responsibilities Alpha Toolkit & Top-Down Optimization • Build and enhance PM Alpha Toolkit components for signal generation and research validation. • Develop top-down optimization engines for asset allocation and macro positioning strategies. • Create frameworks for empirical analysis of market relationships and economic indicators. Competitor ETF Infrastructure • Design and build comprehensive infrastructure for tracking, analyzing, and evaluating competitor ETF performance metrics and investment strategies. • Develop automated systems for monitoring competitor ETF holdings, flows, and investment decision patterns to identify market trends and opportunities. • Develop efficient data pipelines to acquire, cleanse, and preprocess data for competitor funds. Platform Architecture & Scalability • Build and maintain supporting components including data infrastructure and analytical tools within a large-scale, data-intensive ecosystem. • Ensure high performance and scalability through best practices in backend architecture and rigorous testing protocols. • Develop APIs and services to support macro research workflows and cross-platform integration. Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement • Work closely with Quant Researchers and Portfolio Managers to gather requirements and iterate research tools. • Translate complex economic and financial research concepts into tangible, production-quality software. • Support empirical research initiatives with robust technical infrastructure. Code Quality & Best Practices • Uphold industry best practices in coding, design patterns, and application development. • Mentor junior team members and perform code reviews to maintain high-quality standards. Qualifications Educational Background • BS/MS degree in Computer Science Engineering, Mathematics, Operational Research, or a related technical field. Professional Experience • 7+ years of hands-on software development experience. • Demonstrated expertise in developing large-scale, data-intensive applications and platforms. • Proven expertise in optimization or statistical techniques or a strong operational research/mathematics foundation. Technical Skills • Proficiency in Python is essential. • Strong understanding of data structures, algorithms, OOP, and design patterns. • Experience with data modeling, relational and NoSQL databases, and RESTful APIs. • Experience developing frontend UIs and interactive financial dashboards for research analysis. • Solid background in developing and optimizing algorithmic engines. Additional Skills & Desirable Qualifications • Familiarity with cloud platforms (e.g., AWS) and data warehousing solutions (e.g., Snowflake) is a plus. • Experience with messaging systems, caching mechanisms, and related technologies. • Financial markets knowledge and experience working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment. This role offers a unique opportunity to significantly influence the development and evolution of our advanced alpha signals platform. If you are passionate about leveraging empirical research techniques in real-world investment applications while advocating best software engineering practices and innovative backend architecture, we encourage you to apply.