Staff Software Engineer, FCM
NinjaTrader is seeking a Staff Software Engineer to lead the architecture and development of its cloud-native Futures Commission Merchant (FCM) platform. This role involves defining technical standards, conducting code reviews, and ensuring compliance with financial regulations. The engineer will collaborate closely with engineering leadership, product management, compliance, and brokerage operations to build resilient and auditable systems that serve both customers and regulators.
Key responsibilities include defining and owning the foundational architecture of NinjaTrader’s cloud-native FCM platform on GCP/Kubernetes, architecting systems that process high-throughput trade flows with deterministic behavior under concurrency and partial failure, and establishing best practices across the FCM platform, including API design standards, testing strategies, observability frameworks, CI/CD standards, and infrastructure-as-code patterns. The engineer will also champion the responsible use of AI-assisted coding, testing, and code review workflows to increase velocity and reduce defects while preserving strict financial and audit constraints.
The ideal candidate will have 8–12+ years of progressive software engineering experience, with demonstrated impact at the Staff level or equivalent scope of influence. Deep expertise in designing, building, and operating large-scale distributed systems in cloud environments (GCP strongly preferred; AWS or Azure acceptable) is required. Hands-on experience with Kubernetes, event-driven architectures, and infrastructure-as-code tools such as Terraform is essential. Strong proficiency in modern backend languages such as Python, C++, Go, or similar, with the ability to make thoughtful technology decisions grounded in trade-offs, is also necessary. Experience in financial services, capital markets, or brokerage technology, including trade lifecycle systems, clearing and settlement, and building systems where correctness and auditability are non-negotiable, is highly desirable.
The salary range for this role is $160,000 to $210,000 per year, with an additional annual target bonus of 15%. NinjaTrader offers a 401K plan with a 3.5% company match, health, vision, and dental coverage, paid parental bonding leave, and generous paid time off, including 23 days per year plus seven paid holidays. For Chicago-based employees, the company follows a hybrid work schedule: in-office Tuesday through Thursday, with remote work on Mondays and Fridays. Additional remote flexibility includes 20 flex remote days annually and five company-wide office-optional weeks tied to major holidays.
NinjaTrader fosters a dynamic culture focused on social connection, professional development, and employee recognition initiatives. The company is committed to equal employment opportunity and is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace.