Senior Java Developer
Sernova Financial Ltd London, United KingdomSenior Java Developer
Role Overview We are seeking a talented Senior Java Developer to join our engineering team and play a central role in building and evolving our post-trade technology platform. You will work on in-house systems, APIs, client reporting and web portal, as well as customising our third-party trading system. Working closely with Client Services and Product Management, you will translate complex business requirements into scalable, high-quality software solutions.
This is an opportunity to deepen your expertise in a capital markets environment while taking mentoring responsibilities — with direct exposure to cloud-native infrastructure, advanced Java development, AI and a highly collaborative engineering culture.
Key Responsibilities
Software Development
- Design, develop and maintain in-house systems, APIs, reporting tools and the client web portal
- Use AI in the SDLC process
- Customise and extend third-party trading systems to meet business requirements
- Write clean, well-tested code following SOLID principles, Design Patterns and Clean Code practices
- Apply TDD and BDD methodologies; maintain test coverage using JUnit, Spock and Mockito
- Participate in code reviews and contribute to continual improvement of engineering standards
Collaboration & Communication
- Liaise with Client Services and Product Management to understand requirements and propose solutions
- Communicate clearly with IT professionals and non-technical stakeholders at all seniority levels
- Break down complex problems, identify root causes and prioritise resolution effectively
Mentoring
- Mentor a team of Java (and other) developers, supporting growth and career development
- Drive a culture of quality, ownership and continuous improvement within the team
- Work alongside offshore developers as needed, maintaining clear communication across time zones
Skills & Experience
Essential
- 7+ years' Java development experience at a Financial Services company
- Java 11+, Spring/Spring Boot, multi-threading, profiling, performance tuning, RMI
- Capital Markets knowledge (e.g. Clearing or Prime Brokerage services)
- Experience in high-quality software practices: TDD, Agile, automated builds/deployments
- Strong knowledge of CI build and deployment management tools
- Experience with test frameworks (JUnit/Spock) and mocking libraries (e.g. Mockito)
- Proficiency with Git and Maven
- Microservices knowledge
- Understanding and application of SOLID, Design Patterns, Clean Code and TDD
- Able to work and communicate effectively with IT professionals and end users at all levels
- Able to liaise with the business to understand requirements and present solutions clearly
- Able to take complex issues, identify root causes and prioritise resolution
Desirable
- Experience leading a team of developers
- Working knowledge of Groovy, FpML, FIX, FIXML, JSON, REST, Message Queuing
- Experience building client reporting and web portals
- Experience working with global teams
Technical Competencies
The role requires strong hands-on Java expertise complemented by modern cloud and DevOps practices:
Architecture & Infrastructure
- Cloud platforms (AWS, Azure or GCP)
- Microservices and event-driven architectures
- Infrastructure as Code (Terraform)
- API design and integration patterns
Delivery & Quality
- CI/CD toolchains (GitHub, Azure DevOps, Jenkins)
- Automated testing and TDD/BDD
- Observability, monitoring and incident response
Security & Compliance
- Secure SDLC and shift-left security practices
- Data privacy and regulatory compliance
- Identity, access management and zero-trust
Emerging Technology
- AI/ML tooling and LLM integrations
- Developer productivity tooling and automation
- Platform engineering and developer experience
Learning Potential
This role offers significant depth of exposure across both domain knowledge and technology:
Business Domain
- Clearing, Prime Brokerage, Collateral Management
- OTC Derivatives and Exchange Traded Derivatives
- Client presentations and prospect engagement
Technology Platform
- 100% cloud-based infrastructure
- Azure AI Cognitive Services integration
- Modern developer tooling and automation
What We Offer
- Competitive base salary with performance-related bonus
- Remote
- Private healthcare, pension, life assurance and critical illness insurance
- A leadership team that values engineering as a core business differentiator
How to Apply
To be considered for this role, please submit your CV and a brief covering note outlining your experience and why this opportunity interests you. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
We are an equal-opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
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