Principal C++ Engineer

Job Purpose and Impact

The Principal, Trading Engineering job leads and advises the design, development and delivery of trading software initiatives that drive the trading operations. This role is specifically suited for a C++ developer with deep experience in the FIX protocol, leveraging expertise in both to build and maintain high-performance trading systems. A key responsibility of this position is to help modernize trading solutions, driving the adoption of new technologies and best practices to ensure the trading platform remains robust, scalable, and competitive. As a recognized subject matter expert in trading engineering, this job provides technical thought leadership for the co-creation and maintenance of sophisticated software applications vital to organizational trading activities, leading cross functional teams to conceptualize, design and adopt best in class industry standards and emerging technologies to improve the performance and capabilities of the trading systems and advance business objectives. This job also leads code reviews and insights and knowledge sharing to uphold the standards of excellence and advance trading engineering team's capabilities.

Key Accountabilities

• SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT: Leads and advises the design and implementation of robust trading systems, applying appropriate technologies to write clean, efficient and maintainable code, integrating market data feeds from financial providers and exchanges to process real time data, and customizing solutions to align with trading strategies and regulatory requirements.
• TECHNICAL GUIDANCE: Applies expertise in software development and deployment automation to mentor and support the software engineering team, improving trading applications' performance, scalability and reliability, and validating software architecture to support high frequency trading, real time data processing and low latency communications.
• QUALITY ASSURANCE: Leads and advises adherence to the highest standards of quality and performance in all trading software applications through rigorous testing, comprehensive code reviews, and strict adherence to best in class industry standards to prevent system failures that lead to significant financial losses.
• TESTING & DEBUGGING: Leads the development of comprehensive test plans, including unit and integration tests, to validate functionality and performance, applying mastery debugging skills to resolve software defects and maintain system integrity, performing highly complex testing to ensure the system handles high transaction volumes, and engaging with quality assurance teams members to ensure software meets standards before deployment.
• COLLABORATION: Reviews to align technical solutions with business goals, engaging with traders, analysts, and other teams to gather requirements and deliver needed solutions, influencing agile practices like standups and sprint planning for effective communication, leading knowledge sharing through code reviews to foster learning and best in class industry standard, and articulating technical concepts clearly to nontechnical team members.
• CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT: Advocates the commitment to improving system performance, scalability and reliability to ensure systems evolve with changing needs, influencing teams to stay current with industry trends and best in class industry practices, leading continuous improvements to development processes and tools, and integrating users and stakeholders feedback to refine software solutions.
• DOCUMENTATION: Leads establishing and maintaining technical documentation of system architecture and development processes, ensuring clear technical guides and operation manuals to facilitate ease of use, maintaining compliance with regulations and policies, and building the knowledge base for delivering onboarding and training new team members.
• TECHNICAL SUPPORT: Leads and mentors monitoring live trading systems for optimal performance, including addressing real time issues promptly, responding quickly to resolve highly complex operational problems, minimizing downtime and risk, mentoring routine maintenance to keep systems secure and efficient, and leading disaster recovery planning to ensure business continuity during system failures or crises.

Qualifications

• Minimum requirement of 6 years of relevant work experience. Typically reflects 10 years or more of relevant software development experience, with a strong focus on C++.

Preferred: 

Technical Skills

• Deep expertise in C++ (modern standards, e.g., C++11/14/17/20).
• Extensive experience with the FIX protocol (Financial Information eXchange).
• Proven track record in designing, developing, and maintaining high-performance, low-latency trading systems.
• Strong understanding of multithreading, concurrency, and performance optimization.
• Experience with network programming and messaging protocols.
• Familiarity with Linux/Unix environments.

Trading Domain Knowledge

• In-depth knowledge of electronic trading systems and financial markets.
• Experience with order management, market data, and execution systems.

Leadership & Communication

• Demonstrated ability to lead and mentor cross-functional engineering teams.
• Experience conducting code reviews and sharing technical knowledge.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills.

Modernization & Best Practices

• Experience modernizing legacy trading systems and adopting new technologies.
• Familiarity with software development best practices, CI/CD, and agile methodologies.

Other

• Ability to work in a fast-paced, mission-critical environment.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.

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Compensation Data

The expected salary for this position is $144,000 - $210,000. Compensation varies depending on a wide array of factors including but not limited to the specific location, certifications, education, and level of experience. The disclosed range estimate may be adjusted for any applicable geographic differential associated with the location at which the position may be filled. This position is eligible for a discretionary incentive award. The incentive award amount is dependent upon company performance and your personal performance.

At Cargill we put people first.  As part of your overall rewards, we offer a comprehensive benefit program including medical and/or other benefits dependent on the position offered and hours worked. Visit: https://www.cargill.com/page/my-health/mh-health-and-wellnessto learn more (subject to certain collective bargaining agreements for Union positions) .

Minnesota Sick and Safe Leave accruals of one hour for every 30 worked, up to 48 hours per calendar year unless otherwise provided by law