Principal Engineer

The Principal Engineer at CTC will be responsible for developing, testing, and maintaining high-performance trading applications and tools, particularly aimed at volatility products. This includes translating trader strategies into technical requirements and ensuring integration with live systems while leading technical roadmaps and participating in continuous improvement initiatives.

Candidates for the Principal Engineer role at CTC should possess significant experience working on a systematic trading desk, preferably with a focus on options. Additionally, an architect-level experience coupled with hands-on expertise in Python, especially modern Python concepts like asyncio, are essential for success in this role.

CTC is committed to the professional development of its employees, including Principal Engineers. The firm promotes continuous learning through participation in code reviews, staying updated on advancements in trading technology, and fostering a culture of feedback and collaboration, which enhances skill-building and growth.

The compensation package for a Principal Engineer at CTC includes a competitive salary range between $150,000 and $225,000, complemented by a discretionary bonus that reflects individual skills, experience, and overall firm performance. This ensures that you are rewarded for your contributions to the team's success.

CTC is deeply committed to creating an inclusive workplace that celebrates diversity. They strive to engage every team member and empower them to feel a sense of belonging, while also ensuring reasonable accommodations for employees with disabilities throughout the hiring and employment processes.

When answering this question, focus on your specific tasks, technologies used, and your role in developing trading strategies. Highlight how your contributions impacted trading performance and any unique challenges you overcame.

Discuss your coding standards, how you document your code, and the importance of code reviews. Emphasize your commitment to writing clean, scalable, and well-tested code that adheres to best practices.

Share your methods for learning, such as attending industry conferences, participating in online courses, or engaging in professional communities. Mention specific technologies or libraries you are currently exploring.

Provide examples of projects where you utilized Python to handle real-time data. Discuss any libraries or frameworks you used and how your solutions improved efficiency or accuracy in trading.

Share details about the code review process you implemented, how you provided constructive feedback, and the impact it had on the team’s output. This shows your leadership and commitment to quality.

Discuss specific techniques you have used to optimize performance, such as profiling code, caching strategies, or load testing. Provide examples of how these methods improved application speed or efficiency.

Detail your experience with system architecture, particularly in handling large datasets. Discuss the challenges you faced and how you successfully designed systems that met performance benchmarks.

Emphasize the importance of collaboration in your work, sharing examples of how you’ve worked with traders and researchers to ensure successful project outcomes while fostering a team-oriented environment.

Explain your time management strategies, including any tools or techniques you utilize. Highlight your ability to communicate with stakeholders about priorities and deadlines effectively.

Express your enthusiasm for CTC’s culture, mission, and commitment to innovation. Discuss how your skills align with the firm’s goals and how you envision contributing to its future success.