Software Engineer - Low Touch Desk

Clear Street•Chicago, IL

5d•$200,000 - $250,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Clear Street is seeking an experienced Software Engineer to join its Algorithmic Execution Services team. The role focuses on designing, developing, and maintaining high-performance trading systems and their underlying algorithms. The engineer will improve core system components and support tools; design, develop, test, and deploy system enhancements; and build highly available, horizontally scalable, mission-critical applications using modern technology. The role also involves collaborating with stakeholders to define and deliver features, solving engineering challenges, and developing a deep understanding of the business domain. The Algorithmic Execution Services team builds Clear Street’s electronic trading platform, supporting best execution across asset classes and regions. The team develops low-latency order routing, algorithmic strategies, smart order logic, and direct market access. Its work emphasizes performance, scalability, and cost-efficiency, enabling faster execution, smarter routing, real-time risk controls, and sophisticated order handling for active traders and institutional workflows.

Requirements

Ideally 10 or more years of experience developing high-performance algorithmic financial applications.
Bachelor’s degree or higher in Computer Science, Engineering, Statistics, Math, or a related STEM field.
Adaptability to a fast-paced, dynamic environment with evolving priorities.
Ability to communicate technical information effectively.
Strong programming skills using Java and Python in a Linux environment.
Strong understanding of financial markets.
Relevant experience with FIX and binary protocols for communicating with counterparties.
Experience with low-latency, multithreaded programming and distributed application architecture.
Strong understanding of computer systems, including operating systems, networks, and performance optimization.
Experience with modern software development practices and tools.
Strong interest in technology and continuous learning.
Experience with relational databases, preferably Oracle and Postgres.

Nice To Haves

Experience with publish/subscribe multicast protocols.
Proficiency in optimizing critical code paths.
Experience developing unit tests.
Familiarity with containerization technologies such as Docker.

Responsibilities

Improve existing core system components and support tools.
Design, develop, test, and deploy system enhancements.
Build highly available, horizontally scalable, mission-critical applications.
Work with stakeholders to define and deliver new features.
Develop a deep understanding of the business domain.
Contribute to low-latency order routing, algorithmic strategies, smart order logic, and direct market access.