Contract Data Engineer (Algorithmic Trading)

Role: Contract Data Engineer Project: Data platform build for algorithmic trading Industry: Commodities Trading Location: London (hybrid) Contract: 6 month initial (long-term programme) Rate: £800-950/d (inside IR35) X4 Technology are partnered with a leading commodities trading business offering the opportunity for a Contract Data Engineer to join a high-impact algorithmic trading programme. This role sits at the heart of a major data platform build, supporting both analytics and systematic trading through scalable, high-performance data pipelines. You’ll work closely with traders, quants, and engineering teams to design and deliver both batch (Databricks) and real-time (tick-level time series) data solutions. Responsibilities of the Contract Data Engineer (Algorithmic Trading) • Design and build scalable data pipelines (batch + real-time) for trading analytics • Develop data models across disparate datasets (market data, orders, trades, positions) • Build and maintain high-performance data platforms for TCA and execution analytics • Ingest and process large-scale, high-frequency (tick-level) market data • Develop real-time and historical data services for trading and research • Optimise query performance and data access patterns • Contribute to time-series database architecture and implementation • Collaborate with traders and quants to deliver analytics and data-driven insights • Support development of pre- and post-trade analytics capabilities • Work across teams to integrate data from multiple systems and platforms Requirements for the Contract Data Engineer (Algorithmic Trading) • Proven background in commodities trading / capital markets / investment banking • Strong experience working with large financial datasets (market data, trades, orders) • Demonstrable knowledge of derivatives trading lifecycle and market structure • Proven data engineering experience (data modelling, pipeline development) • Experience with time-series databases (kdb+ preferred) • Strong knowledge of tick data structures and high-frequency data processing • Experience building or supporting TCA / execution analytics platforms • Familiarity with Linux environments and scripting (Bash, etc.) • Comfortable working directly with traders in fast-paced environments This is a foundational hire within a growing data function, offering the opportunity to shape both batch and real-time data architecture for a global trading platform. You’ll play a key role in building out next-generation data capabilities, working closely with systematic trading teams and contributing directly to trading performance and analytics. Please apply online for immediate consideration.