KDB - Senior Lead Software Engineer

Location: Jersey City, NJ, United States

Job Family: Software Engineering

About the Role

At JPMorgan Chase & Co., one of the world's leading financial services firms, our Technology team drives innovation and delivers scalable solutions that power our global operations. As a KDB - Senior Lead Software Engineer in our Corporate & Investment Bank division, based in Jersey City, NJ, you will play a pivotal role in architecting and optimizing high-performance systems that handle massive volumes of real-time market data. This position offers the opportunity to drive significant business impact by tackling diverse challenges across multiple technologies, from low-latency trading platforms to advanced analytics tools, all while ensuring compliance with stringent financial regulations. You will lead initiatives that enhance our competitive edge in global markets, collaborating with elite teams of engineers, traders, and quants to transform complex data into actionable insights. In this senior leadership role, you will spearhead the development of KDB/Q-based applications that form the backbone of our trading infrastructure, processing terabytes of time-series data daily. Your responsibilities will include mentoring a team of engineers, fostering a culture of technical excellence, and integrating KDB with emerging technologies like machine learning and cloud-native services to build resilient, scalable solutions. You will navigate the fast-paced demands of the financial industry, where precision and speed are paramount, and contribute to strategic projects that mitigate risks and capitalize on market opportunities. This role demands a deep understanding of financial services dynamics, including equities, fixed income, and derivatives trading, to deliver engineering solutions that align with business objectives. JPMorgan Chase is committed to fostering an inclusive environment where diverse perspectives drive innovation. As a Senior Lead Software Engineer, you will benefit from our robust professional development programs, exposure to cutting-edge fintech, and the chance to influence enterprise-wide transformations. Join us to leverage your expertise in KDB and software engineering to shape the future of finance, while enjoying a collaborative culture that values work-life balance and career growth in a dynamic, high-impact setting.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and maintenance of high-performance KDB/Q applications for real-time financial data analytics and trading systems
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including traders, quants, and compliance officers to deliver business-critical solutions
• Drive technical innovation by integrating KDB with other technologies like Python, Java, and cloud platforms to enhance system scalability
• Mentor junior engineers and conduct code reviews to ensure best practices in software engineering
• Identify and resolve performance bottlenecks in large-scale time-series databases handling terabytes of market data
• Contribute to the firm's risk management and regulatory reporting initiatives through robust KDB implementations
• Participate in agile ceremonies, sprint planning, and deployment processes to accelerate delivery
• Analyze business requirements and translate them into scalable, secure software architectures
• Stay abreast of industry trends in financial technology and propose enhancements to existing KDB ecosystems
• Ensure system reliability and uptime in 24/7 trading environments, including on-call support

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field; advanced degree preferred
• 8+ years of professional software engineering experience, with at least 3 years focused on KDB/Q development
• Proven track record in leading engineering teams and delivering complex projects in a financial services environment
• Strong understanding of financial markets, trading systems, and real-time data processing
• Experience with agile methodologies and DevOps practices in high-stakes production environments
• Excellent problem-solving skills and ability to handle ambiguous challenges
• U.S. work authorization and ability to obtain necessary security clearances for financial sector roles

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Computer Science or Finance-related field
• Experience with JP Morgan's internal tools and platforms, such as proprietary trading systems
• Knowledge of regulatory compliance in financial services (e.g., SEC, FINRA requirements)
• Prior leadership in cross-functional teams spanning multiple business lines at a major bank
• Certifications in KDB/Q or related technologies (e.g., from KX Systems)

Required Skills

• Expertise in KDB/Q programming language for time-series data management
• Proficiency in database design and optimization for high-frequency trading data
• Strong knowledge of financial instruments, derivatives, and market data feeds
• Experience with real-time analytics and event-driven architectures
• Familiarity with cloud computing (e.g., AWS, Azure) and containerization (Docker, Kubernetes)
• Skills in Python, Java, or C++ for integrating with KDB systems
• Understanding of cybersecurity best practices in financial applications
• Agile and Scrum methodologies for software delivery
• Leadership and communication skills for team collaboration
• Problem-solving in complex, data-intensive environments
• Knowledge of SQL and NoSQL databases alongside KDB
• Experience with CI/CD pipelines and automated testing
• Analytical mindset for performance tuning and troubleshooting
• Adaptability to fast-paced, regulatory-driven financial sector
• Interpersonal skills for stakeholder management across business units

Benefits

• Competitive base salary and performance-based annual bonuses
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans
• 401(k) retirement savings plan with generous company matching
• Paid time off, including vacation, sick days, and parental leave
• Professional development opportunities, including tuition reimbursement and access to internal training programs
• Employee stock purchase plan and financial wellness resources
• On-site fitness centers, wellness programs, and mental health support
• Flexible work arrangements, including hybrid options in Jersey City

JP Morgan Chase is an equal opportunity employer.