Senior Lead Software Engineer - Python

Location: LONDON, LONDON, United Kingdom

Job Family: Software Engineering

About the Role

At JPMorgan Chase, we are at the forefront of transforming the financial services industry through innovative technology. As a Senior Lead Software Engineer - Python in our Athena Trade Risk & Services function, you will join a highly skilled, agile development team in London, playing a pivotal role in enhancing our global trading and risk management platforms. Athena is JPMorgan's proprietary system that powers real-time risk analytics and trade execution for institutional clients worldwide. In this position, you will leverage your deep Python expertise to build robust, scalable solutions that support complex financial workflows, ensuring compliance with stringent regulatory requirements like MiFID II and Basel III while driving operational efficiency. Your day-to-day will involve leading technical initiatives from conception to deployment, collaborating with traders, risk analysts, and fellow engineers to translate business needs into high-performance code. You will architect backend services that process vast datasets for risk modeling and trade surveillance, optimizing for speed and reliability in a 24/7 trading environment. As a senior leader, you will mentor team members, conduct code reviews, and champion best practices in agile methodologies, contributing to the continuous evolution of Athena to meet the dynamic demands of the financial markets. JPMorgan Chase offers an inclusive culture that values innovation, integrity, and impact. This role provides exposure to cutting-edge technologies and the opportunity to influence strategic decisions in one of the world's largest financial institutions. If you are passionate about Python engineering in fintech and thrive in a collaborative, high-stakes setting, join us to shape the future of trade risk and services.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and deployment of Python-based applications for the Athena Trade Risk & Services function
• Collaborate with agile teams to deliver scalable solutions that enhance trade risk management and services
• Architect and optimize backend systems to handle high-volume financial data processing and real-time analytics
• Mentor and guide junior software engineers, fostering best practices in code quality and testing
• Integrate with existing JPMorgan Chase infrastructure, ensuring compliance with security and regulatory standards
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex issues in production environments, minimizing downtime for critical trading systems
• Conduct code reviews and contribute to technical documentation for maintainability and knowledge sharing
• Work closely with business stakeholders to translate risk and trade requirements into technical specifications
• Stay abreast of emerging technologies and recommend innovations to improve Athena platform efficiency
• Participate in sprint planning and retrospectives to drive continuous improvement in team performance

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 5 years focused on Python development
• Proven experience in agile methodologies and working in cross-functional teams within financial services
• Strong understanding of financial risk management systems and trade services in a banking environment
• Experience with building scalable, high-performance applications in a regulated industry
• Excellent problem-solving skills and ability to handle complex technical challenges
• Proficiency in English with strong communication skills for collaborating with global stakeholders

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with JPMorgan Chase's Athena platform or similar risk and trading systems
• Knowledge of regulatory compliance standards such as MiFID II, Dodd-Frank, or Basel III
• Familiarity with cloud platforms like AWS or Azure in a financial context
• Certification in Python (e.g., PCAP) or relevant financial technology certifications
• Prior leadership experience mentoring junior engineers in a fintech setting

Required Skills

• Expert-level Python programming with frameworks like Django or Flask
• Proficiency in SQL and database management (e.g., PostgreSQL, Oracle)
• Experience with data processing libraries such as Pandas, NumPy, and SciPy
• Knowledge of RESTful APIs, microservices architecture, and containerization (Docker, Kubernetes)
• Strong understanding of financial concepts including trade lifecycle, risk modeling, and derivatives
• Agile development practices, including Scrum and Jira for project management
• Version control with Git and CI/CD pipelines (e.g., Jenkins, GitHub Actions)
• Problem-solving and analytical thinking in high-pressure financial environments
• Excellent verbal and written communication for technical and business audiences
• Team collaboration and leadership in multicultural, global teams
• Familiarity with cloud computing and big data tools (e.g., AWS S3, Spark)
• Unit testing and automation frameworks (e.g., PyTest, Selenium)
• Security best practices for handling sensitive financial data
• Adaptability to fast-paced, regulated industry changes

Benefits

• Competitive base salary and performance-based annual bonuses
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance coverage
• Generous retirement savings plan with company matching contributions
• Paid time off including vacation, sick leave, and parental leave
• Professional development opportunities with tuition reimbursement and access to internal training programs
• Employee stock purchase plan and financial wellness resources
• Hybrid work model with flexibility for work-life balance in London
• Global mobility programs and career advancement within JPMorgan Chase

JP Morgan Chase is an equal opportunity employer.