Staff Software Engineer, FCM

Deep expertise designing, building, and operating large-scale distributed systems in cloud environments (GCP strongly preferred; AWS or Azure acceptable)

Hands-on experience with Kubernetes, event-driven architectures, and infrastructure-as-code tools such as Terraform

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

Experience leveraging AI-assisted development tools, including code generation, static analysis, and automated test synthesis, to increase productivity and system quality in production environments

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

Proven track record as a technical authority and mentor who has raised the engineering bar of their teams

Experience designing distributed systems where financial correctness, reconciliation, segregation of funds, and audit integrity are non-negotiable architectural constraints

Excellent communication skills with the ability to clearly articulate complex technical concepts to engineers and non-technical stakeholders

Demonstrated ownership of initiatives end-to-end, from problem framing and design through implementation, deployment, and operational maturity

Bonus Points for:

Direct experience at a futures commission merchant (FCM), clearing firm, or broker-dealer operating under CFTC/NFA or SEC/FINRA regulatory frameworks

Experience with CME clearing operations or self-clearing implementations

Familiarity with treasury and money movement systems, including ACH, wire transfers, fund hold logic, and account segregation

Track record of leading successful platform modernization or cloud migration programs in regulated financial environments

Passion for futures, derivatives, and trading technologies and for democratizing access to these markets for retail traders

Compensation:

The salary range for this role will be $160,000.00 - $210,000.00 USD. In addition, this position will also receive an annual target bonus of 15%. Bonus pay at NinjaTrader is based on individual performance (50%) as well as company/team performance (50%).

Salary and bonus earnings are only two components of the total compensation package offered by NinjaTrader. NinjaTrader offers a 401K plan through ADP under which the company will match up to 3.5% of employee contributions. Annual paid time off allowance accrues at a rate of 23 days per year (some positions may qualify for more) plus seven paid holidays.

Location:

This role is based in Chicago, IL. *There may be remote flexibility for exceptional candidates in the following states: California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Washington DC, Wisconsin.

Hybrid:

For Chicago-based employees, we follow a hybrid work schedule: In-office Tuesday through Thursday, with remote work on Mondays and Fridays. In addition to these weekly remote days, we offer:

20 additional flex remote days annually

5 Company Wide Office-Optional weeks tied to major holidays

Our Core Benefits Include:

Generous PTO

7 Paid Holidays Annually + 5 Conditional Holidays Annually

1 Service Day Annually

401k with 3.5% Company Match

Paid Parental Bonding Leave

Health, Vision, Dental Coverage

Life and Disability Insurance Covered 100% by NinjaTrader

We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender, gender identity or expression, or veteran status. We are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace.