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Principal Network Engineer (HFT Trading Networks)

L6

harvey nashChicago, ILyesterday

Occupations

Computer Network ArchitectsComputer Systems Engineers/ArchitectsNetwork and Computer Systems Administrators

Industries

Computer Systems Design ServicesComputing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related ServicesWired Telecommunications Carriers
Job Title: Principal Network
Engineer (HFT Trading Networks)
Location: Chicago, IL or NewYork City, NY
Work Model: Onsite 4 days per week
Duration: Full-time
Job Description: Weare seeking a Principal Network Engineer to serve as the technicalauthority for our global, low-latency trading infrastructure. This role isideal for a seasoned network engineering leader with deep expertise indesigning, scaling, and optimizing highly distributed, latency-sensitiveenvironments across data centers, colocation facilities, and cloud platforms. ThePrincipal Network Engineer will be responsible for defining the long-termarchitecture and evolution of mission-critical trading networks, ensuringdeterministic packet forwarding, exceptional reliability, and ultra-low-latencyperformance. This individual will operate as a hands-on technical leader, partnering with Network Engineering leadership, Infrastructure teams, andbusiness stakeholders to drive strategic initiatives, influence architecturaldecisions, and establish engineering best practices. DirectHigh-Frequency Trading (HFT) industry experience is required. Theideal candidate possesses expert-level routing and switching knowledge, strong Python automation capabilities, experience with hybrid cloud networking, and aproven track record supporting electronic trading environments wheremicroseconds matter. Candidates with a CCIE certification or equivalentexpertise are strongly preferred.
Key Responsibilities: Network Architecture & DesignDesign, engineer, and evolve highly resilient, low-latency network architecturessupporting global trading operations. Developdeterministic, scalable network solutions across data centers, co-locationfacilities, exchange connectivity environments, and cloud platforms. Drivearchitectural standards and long-term strategy for network scalability, resiliency, and operational excellence.
Advanced Routing & Infrastructure: Lead the designand implementation of complex routing solutions utilizing:
  • BGPOSPFMPLSMulticast(PIM-SM/SSM)
  • Traffic
  • EngineeringHighAvailability Network Architectures
Optimize networkperformance, latency, jitter, and traffic flow across global environments.
Research, Validation & Performance Engineering: Conductproof-of-concept testing, lab validation, and technical evaluations ofemerging technologies. Analyze networkbehavior, platform limitations, and hardware capabilities to improveexchange connectivity and trading performance. Validatearchitecture designs before production deployment to minimize operationalrisk.
Project Leadership: Lead large-scalenetwork transformation initiatives from design through implementation. Develop detailedtechnical designs, migration plans, implementation runbooks, and capacityplanning documentation. Own complextechnical challenges end-to-end with minimal oversight.
Network Automation: Design andmaintain Python-based network automation solutions for:
Configurationmanagement:
  • ChangevalidationComplianceverificationOperationalefficiencyAutomatedtestingLeverage bothAPI-driven and SSH-based automation methodologies.
  • Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Partner with
  • Infrastructure, Security, Cloud, Application, and Trading teams to alignnetwork capabilities with business objectives.
  • Supportstrategic planning, budgeting, and technology investment decisions relatedto network infrastructure.
Technical Leadership: Act as a seniortechnical mentor across the engineering organization. Leadarchitecture reviews, establish engineering standards, and promoteknowledge sharing. Influencetechnical direction without direct management responsibilities.
Monitoring& Observability: Define networktelemetry and observability standards. Utilize toolssuch as Prometheus, Grafana, and similar platforms to improve visibility, performance monitoring, and troubleshooting.
Documentation& Compliance: Develop andmaintain technical standards, architecture documentation, and operationalprocedures. Contribute toaudit, compliance, and regulatory documentation, including materialssupporting SEC and related regulatory reviews.
Required Qualifications: 10+ years ofhands-on Network Engineering experience within mission-critical, low-latency environments. Directexperience supporting High-Frequency Trading (HFT), Electronic Trading, Market Making, Proprietary Trading, or Capital Markets infrastructure. Deep expertisein low-latency network design with extensive experience analyzing:
  • Network latency
  • JitterPacket loss
  • End-to-endtraffic behavior
  • Expert-levelknowledge of:
  • BGPOSPFMPLSMulticastTechnologiesGlobal Network
  • ArchitectureStrongexperience with high-performance network platforms from vendors such as:
  • CiscoAristaJuniperExperiencedesigning and supporting AWS networking solutions including:
  • Direct Connect
Transit GatewayVPCArchitectureRouteIntegrationAdvanced Pythonprogramming skills for network automation and operational tooling. Hands-onexperience with observability and telemetry platforms, including Prometheus and Grafana. Strongunderstanding of network security principles, segmentation, accesscontrols, and Zero Trust architecture. Proven trackrecord leading technical research, proof-of-concept initiatives, andlarge-scale infrastructure projects. Outstandingcommunication skills with the ability to explain architectural tradeoffsand technical risk to both engineers and executive leadership. Experiencementoring engineers and influencing engineering best practices acrossorganizations. Preferred
Qualifications:
  • Cisco CCIE(Routing & Switching, Enterprise Infrastructure, or Data Center).AWS Advanced
  • Networking Specialty Certification.
  • Arista ACE, Juniper JNCIE, or equivalent advanced networking certifications.
  • Experience withexchange connectivity networks and financial market infrastructure.
  • Familiarity withFPGA-enabled networking, market data distribution, and ultra-low latencytrading architectures.
  • Exposure toregulatory and compliance requirements within financial servicesenvironments.
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Level

LeadL6

Location

Chicago, IL

Occupation

Computer Network Architects

Industry

Computer Systems Design Services

Posted

yesterday

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