Contract Data Engineer (Algorithmic Trading)

Role:

Contract Data Engineer

Project:

Data platform build for algorithmic trading

Industry:

Commodities Trading

Location:

London (hybrid)

Contract:

6 month initial (long-term programme)

Rate:

£800-950/d (inside IR35)

X4 Technology are partnered with a leading commodities trading business offering the opportunity for a Contract Data Engineer to join a high-impact algorithmic trading programme. This role sits at the heart of a major data platform build, supporting both analytics and systematic trading through scalable, high-performance data pipelines.

You’ll work closely with traders, quants, and engineering teams to design and deliver both batch (Databricks) and real-time (tick-level time series) data solutions.

Responsibilities of the Contract Data Engineer (Algorithmic Trading)

• Design and build scalable data pipelines (batch + real-time) for trading analytics

• Develop data models across disparate datasets (market data, orders, trades, positions)

• Build and maintain high-performance data platforms for TCA and execution analytics

• Ingest and process large-scale, high-frequency (tick-level) market data

• Develop real-time and historical data services for trading and research

• Optimise query performance and data access patterns

• Contribute to time-series database architecture and implementation

• Collaborate with traders and quants to deliver analytics and data-driven insights

• Support development of pre- and post-trade analytics capabilities

• Work across teams to integrate data from multiple systems and platforms

Requirements for the Contract Data Engineer (Algorithmic Trading)

• Proven background in commodities trading / capital markets / investment banking

• Strong experience working with large financial datasets (market data, trades, orders)

• Demonstrable knowledge of derivatives trading lifecycle and market structure

• Proven data engineering experience (data modelling, pipeline development)

• Experience with time-series databases (kdb+ preferred)

• Strong knowledge of tick data structures and high-frequency data processing

• Experience building or supporting TCA / execution analytics platforms

• Familiarity with Linux environments and scripting (Bash, etc.)

• Comfortable working directly with traders in fast-paced environments

This is a foundational hire within a growing data function, offering the opportunity to shape both batch and real-time data architecture for a global trading platform. You’ll play a key role in building out next-generation data capabilities, working closely with systematic trading teams and contributing directly to trading performance and analytics. Please apply online for immediate consideration.