Python Lead Software Engineer - Athena PostTrade - Vice President

Location: LONDON, LONDON, United Kingdom

Job Family: Software Engineering

About the Role

JPMorgan Chase & Co. is a leading global financial services firm with assets of $3.7 trillion and operations worldwide. We operate in more than 60 countries, creating innovative solutions that support the world's most prominent institutions, corporations, governments, and communities. In our Corporate & Investment Bank division, we provide strategic advice, raise capital, manage risk, and extend liquidity in markets around the world. The Athena PostTrade team is at the heart of our technology-driven approach to post-trade processing, leveraging cutting-edge Python engineering to handle the complexities of trade settlement, reconciliation, and regulatory reporting in a fast-paced capital markets environment. As a Python Lead Software Engineer - Vice President, you will play a pivotal role in enhancing our Athena platform, which powers mission-critical workflows for institutional clients, ensuring accuracy, efficiency, and compliance in an ever-evolving regulatory landscape. In this leadership position based in London, you will spearhead the development of scalable Python applications that process billions in trade volumes daily. Your responsibilities will include architecting robust systems for post-trade analytics, integrating with core banking platforms, and driving automation to reduce operational risks. Collaborating closely with quantitative analysts, product owners, and global stakeholders, you will lead a team of engineers to deliver high-impact solutions that align with JPMorgan's commitment to technological excellence and client-centric innovation. This role demands a blend of deep technical expertise and strategic thinking to tackle challenges like real-time data ingestion, fault-tolerant processing, and adherence to standards such as Dodd-Frank and Basel III. Joining JPMorgan Chase offers more than just a job—it's an opportunity to advance your career in one of the world's most dynamic industries while contributing to transformative financial technologies. We foster a culture of continuous learning, diversity, and inclusion, providing resources to help you grow professionally and personally. If you are passionate about pushing the boundaries of software engineering in finance and thrive in a collaborative, high-stakes setting, this Vice President role in Athena PostTrade will allow you to make a lasting impact on our global operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and maintenance of Python-based applications within the Athena PostTrade platform, focusing on post-trade lifecycle management
• Collaborate with traders, risk managers, and compliance teams to translate business requirements into robust technical solutions
• Mentor and guide a team of software engineers, fostering best practices in code quality, testing, and deployment
• Optimize system performance for high-volume trade data processing, ensuring low-latency and reliability in real-time environments
• Implement and enforce security protocols and data privacy standards compliant with global financial regulations
• Drive innovation by integrating advanced analytics and automation into post-trade workflows to enhance efficiency
• Conduct code reviews, troubleshoot complex issues, and participate in agile ceremonies including sprint planning and retrospectives
• Stay abreast of emerging technologies and industry trends to recommend improvements to the Athena ecosystem
• Contribute to the documentation and knowledge sharing within JPMorgan Chase's engineering community
• Support production deployments and monitor system health to minimize downtime in 24/7 trading operations

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 leading teams in Python development
• Proven track record in developing high-performance, scalable applications in the financial services sector
• Deep expertise in Python programming, including advanced libraries and frameworks relevant to data processing and risk management
• Experience with post-trade processing systems, such as trade confirmation, settlement, and reconciliation in capital markets
• Strong understanding of financial regulations (e.g., MiFID II, EMIR) and their impact on software solutions
• Ability to lead cross-functional teams and mentor junior engineers in agile environments

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in a quantitative field like Finance, Mathematics, or Computer Science
• Prior experience at a major financial institution, ideally with exposure to JPMorgan Chase's Athena platform
• Familiarity with cloud platforms like AWS or Azure for deploying financial applications
• Certification in Python (e.g., PCAP) or financial technology (e.g., FRM or CFA Level 1)
• Experience integrating machine learning models into post-trade workflows for risk analytics

Required Skills

• Expert-level Python programming with proficiency in libraries like Pandas, NumPy, and SQLAlchemy
• Strong knowledge of data structures, algorithms, and object-oriented design principles
• Experience with version control systems (e.g., Git) and CI/CD pipelines (e.g., Jenkins, GitHub Actions)
• Familiarity with relational databases (e.g., PostgreSQL) and big data tools (e.g., Apache Spark)
• Understanding of financial instruments, derivatives, and post-trade processes in capital markets
• Agile methodologies and tools like Jira or Confluence for project management
• Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills for debugging complex systems
• Leadership and communication skills to influence stakeholders and lead technical discussions
• Knowledge of RESTful APIs, microservices architecture, and containerization (e.g., Docker, Kubernetes)
• Proficiency in unit testing frameworks (e.g., PyTest) and performance optimization techniques
• Awareness of cybersecurity best practices in financial software development
• Ability to work collaboratively in multicultural, high-pressure environments
• Soft skills in mentoring and team motivation
• Basic understanding of machine learning for predictive analytics in trading

Benefits

• Competitive base salary and performance-based annual bonuses aligned with financial services standards
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance coverage for employees and dependents
• Generous retirement savings plan with employer matching contributions
• Paid time off including vacation, sick leave, and parental leave policies
• Professional development opportunities through JPMorgan Chase's internal training programs and tuition reimbursement
• Employee stock purchase plan and access to financial wellness resources
• Hybrid work model with flexibility for London-based roles, including wellness stipends
• Global mobility programs and networking events within the firm's international offices

JP Morgan Chase is an equal opportunity employer.