Senior Java Systems Engineer - Platform Exchange / Matching Engine - NYC - Fintech

Adaptive Financial Consulting•New York, NY

5d•$240,000 - $260,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Adaptive is seeking a Senior Java / Systems Engineer with significant experience in platform exchange systems to design, deliver, and optimize production-ready, high-performance, low-latency technology using Aeron. The role involves hands-on engineering of low-latency Java services and protocols across the full delivery lifecycle, with a focus on exchange and matching-engine systems and evidence-based engineering practices. The engineer will contribute to Adaptive’s Exchange Accelerator product, define key exchange models and integration boundaries, establish testing and performance practices, and collaborate with client teams and internal engineering, SRE, QA, and leadership stakeholders. The position also supports the product in production across multiple client deployments. After six months, the engineer is expected to independently own key technical workstreams through production readiness, deliver maintainable and observable systems aligned with core architecture, and build trusted client relationships. Adaptive describes its culture as collaborative, inclusive, technically pragmatic, and focused on clear communication, knowledge sharing, professional growth, and work/life balance. The role offers a flexible hybrid working model. Employment is subject to an acceptable background check, and the company uses E-Verify to confirm work authorization in the United States.

Requirements

Strong server-side, low-latency Java expertise, including concurrency, memory management, I/O, and performance profiling.
Solid experience with exchanges, risk systems, or matching engines.
Hands-on experience building automated testing strategies, running performance benchmarks, and diagnosing production issues.
Excellent technical communication and collaborative problem-solving skills.
Experience with order-entry and market-data protocols such as FIX and ITCH.
Familiarity with low-latency frameworks such as Aeron, Chronicle, or LBM.
Understanding of replicated state machines, event sourcing, or deterministic systems.

Nice To Haves

Exposure to cloud environments such as AWS or GCP, containers, Kubernetes, or observability tooling.

Responsibilities

Design, build, and optimize low-latency Java services and protocols for the Exchange Accelerator product across the delivery lifecycle.
Define order, session, instrument, and account models, as well as exchange integration boundaries.
Develop automated testing strategies and conduct evidence-based performance benchmarking and profiling.
Collaborate with client teams, SREs, QA, and leadership to ensure exchange readiness and deliver durable production fixes.
Engage with client engineering and business stakeholders and communicate technical trade-offs clearly.
Support the product in production across multiple client deployments.
After six months, independently own key technical workstreams from concept through production readiness.
Deliver maintainable, observable, and well-tested systems aligned with core architecture.
Establish trusted client relationships through clear communication and steady delivery.

Benefits

Flexible hybrid working model.
Medical insurance beginning on the first day of the month following the start date, with six Aetna plans and a flat monthly employer contribution.
Dental and vision insurance beginning on the first day of the month following the start date, with employer contributions.
23 days of vacation per calendar year plus 11 public holidays.
Short-term and long-term group disability insurance.
401(k) safe harbor plan with matching contributions up to 5% of base pay, available to opt into after 90 days of service.
Gym subsidy of up to $50 per month after probation.
Life insurance at two times salary.
Commuter benefits.
Health Savings Account and Flexible Spending Account.
Mental Health First Aiders.
Well-being, diversity, and inclusion programs.