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Software Engineer Trading Firm Jobs in California

Staff Software Engineer, Trade PMR

Menlo Park, CA ยท On-site

  • Medical

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... for trading, account management, and customer relationship management. The team is currently ... As a Staff Software Engineer on the Trade PMR team, you will be a technical leader responsible for ...

... firm in Canada and is now the largest "Canadian-Owned" IT staffing/consulting company. Procom ... Software Engineer Job Details Development and support of a custom test automation system in support ...

Staff Software Engineer, Trade PMR

Menlo Park, CA ยท On-site

  • Medical

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... for trading, account management, and customer relationship management. The team is currently ... As a Staff Software Engineer on the Trade PMR team, you will be a technical leader responsible for ...

Hudson River Trading (HRT) is a quantitative trading firm at the forefront of technological ... Design, develop, and maintain robust, performant, and scalable software systems. * Optimize ...

Staff Back End Engineer, Trading

Los Angeles, CA ยท On-site

$181K - $265K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

... Trading team. This is a hybrid role, with an expectation of being in the office three days each ... Experience - 8+ years of software engineering experience building precise and scalable distributed ...

Staff Back End Engineer, Trading

San Francisco, CA ยท On-site

$203K - $275K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

... Trading team. This is a hybrid role, with an expectation of being in the office three days each ... Experience - 8+ years of software engineering experience building precise and scalable distributed ...

Staff Back End Engineer, Trading

Los Angeles, CA ยท On-site

$181K - $265K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

... Trading team. This is a hybrid role, with an expectation of being in the office three days each ... Experience - 8+ years of software engineering experience building precise and scalable distributed ...

Showing results 21-40

Software Engineer Trading Firm information

See California salary details

$62.7K

$145.6K

$202.8K

How much do software engineer trading firm jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 20, 2026, the average yearly pay for software engineer trading firm in California is $145,592.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $118,400.00 and $170,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a software engineer do at a trading firm?

A Software Engineer at a trading firm designs, develops, and maintains software systems that support trading activities. This includes building high-performance trading platforms, developing algorithms for automated trading, and ensuring low-latency data processing. They collaborate closely with traders, quantitative analysts, and other engineers to create solutions that give the firm a technological edge in the markets. Their work often involves using languages like C++, Python, or Java and working with real-time data feeds and large-scale distributed systems. The role requires strong problem-solving skills and a deep understanding of both technology and financial markets.

How does a software engineer at a trading firm typically collaborate with traders and quantitative analysts?

As a Software Engineer at a trading firm, you will frequently work closely with traders and quantitative analysts to design, develop, and refine trading systems. Collaboration often involves understanding trading strategies, implementing algorithmic models, and ensuring low-latency performance. Regular communication is essential, as you may need to quickly adapt code based on market changes or new requirements. This cross-functional teamwork fosters a dynamic environment where your technical skills directly impact trading outcomes and business success.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a software engineer at a trading firm, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Software Engineer at a trading firm, you need strong programming skills (commonly in C++, Python, or Java), a solid understanding of algorithms and data structures, and at least a bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with low-latency systems, financial market APIs, and experience with tools like Git and Jenkins are typically required, and certifications in finance or technology can be advantageous. Exceptional problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and the ability to work collaboratively under pressure are key soft skills for this role. These competencies ensure that you can build efficient, reliable trading systems that respond to market demands in real time and support the firm's competitive edge.

What is the difference between Software Engineer Trading Firm vs Quantitative Analyst?

AspectSoftware Engineer Trading FirmQuantitative Analyst
Required CredentialsBachelor's/Master's in CS, Engineering, or related fields; coding skillsDegree in Math, Statistics, or Finance; strong analytical skills
Work EnvironmentCollaborative, fast-paced trading floor or tech teamsResearch-focused, data-driven analysis teams
Employer & Industry UsageFinancial firms, hedge funds, trading firmsInvestment banks, hedge funds, asset management
Common Search & ComparisonOften compared for technical skills and coding rolesCompared for analytical and modeling expertise

While both roles operate within trading firms, Software Engineers focus on developing trading systems and infrastructure, whereas Quantitative Analysts primarily build models and analyze data to inform trading strategies. Both roles require strong technical skills but differ in their core responsibilities and focus areas.

What are popular job titles related to Software Engineer Trading Firm jobs in California?

For Software Engineer Trading Firm jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Software Engineer Trading Firm jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Software Engineer Trading Firm jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Software Engineer Trading Firm jobs?

Cities in California with the most Software Engineer Trading Firm job openings:

Infographic showing various Software Engineer Trading Firm job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 90% Full Time, 6% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $145,592 per year, or $70 per hour.

Software Engineer (C++ Systems)

Thunder Compute

San Francisco, CA โ€ข On-site

$120 - $160/hr

Other

Posted 2 days ago

New


Job description

Company

Thunder Compute is the lowest cost, easiest GPU cloud for developers. Weโ€™re a 4-person team with $4.5M raised from top tier investors including Y Combinator and Matrix Partners.

There are two parts to our company. 1) we are a cloud platform where customers can rent GPUs just like they would from Coreweave, Lambda, AWS, etc., and 2) we are building systems software to use GPUs more efficiently than these competitors.

Role

Your work will focus on core C++ systems development: performance optimization, systems debugging, and research.

You will spend your days bouncing between the weeds of complex, performanceโ€‘critical systems in a production, customerโ€‘facing environment. This work is not easy - but if youโ€™re the right candidate, this is a feature, not a bug.

Core technical skills:
  • Top 0.1% C++ ability

  • Experience optimizing NIC/GPU performance

  • Deep understanding of low-level networking, compilers, and similar systems

  • Experience in latency-sensitive environments

Must haves:
  • Youโ€™ve got the dog in you: you will own your work and be responsible for production systems from day 1

  • High speed-to-output

  • Willingness to assume a senior leadership role as we scale

  • Strong communication skills under pressure

Preferred:
  • CS Bachelorโ€™s degree from top 50 US university, 3.5+ GPA

  • 1+ year of experience at a trading firm (Citadel, Jane Street, etc.), hardware company (NVIDIA, SambaNova), systems research or similar

Logistics
  • You'll report to Co-founder/CTO Brian (ex-Citadel quant dev)

  • This role is full-time, in-person in SF

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