Sr Quant Development Associate

CME Group

Job Description

The Sr Quant Risk Development Associate at CME Group is a pivotal technical role within the Clearing House, responsible for the mathematical and computational engines that protect the world’s leading derivatives marketplace. You will lead the development, implementation, and rigorous testing of risk and pricing models that evaluate multi-billion dollar counterparty exposures.

Working primarily in C++, you will be tasked with transforming abstract mathematical specifications into production-grade risk libraries. This role is unique because it sits at the intersection of quantitative research and high-performance software engineering, requiring you to navigate the complexities of IRS, FX, CDS, and Futures while mentoring junior developers and collaborating with global offshore teams.

Principal Accountabilities

  • Risk Engine Engineering: Lead the code development of new quantitative risk models within the CME C++ production library for both Windows and Linux environments.

  • Portfolio Analytics: Develop advanced tools for sensitivities (Greeks), Margin Coverage, Risk Scenario generation, and Liquidity charges.

  • Systems Integration: Collaborate with QA and IT teams to ensure “model-to-system” integrity, covering data pipelines and wider infrastructure connectivity.

  • Project Leadership: Manage timelines and milestones while mentoring junior quantitative developers to elevate the team’s collective technical capability.

  • Quality Assurance: Conduct high-level code reviews, design discussions, and author comprehensive technical documentation (often using LaTeX).

Skills and Software Requirements

  • Tenure: 4+ years of professional C++ experience, with a heavy emphasis on modern standards and the Standard Template Library (STL).

  • Mathematical Foundation: Strong analytical skills with the ability to digest and implement complex algorithmic specifications (Numerical Algorithms, Calibration, etc.).

  • Technical Breadth: Basic knowledge of Java or C# is required; experience with Linux/Unix, version control (Git), and SQL databases is highly valued.

  • Domain Expertise: Previous experience implementing pricing or risk models for IRS, FX, CDS, Swaptions, or Commodities is a significant advantage.

  • Communication: Expert-level ability to present technical “white papers” and documentation clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.


Job Data Table

Category Details
Company Name CME Group
Location London, UK (City of London)
Locality Spitalfields / One New Change
Office Address 1 Duval Square, London E1 6PW
Job Type Full-time
Experience Level Senior / Associate
Travel Minimal (Primary focus on London/Offshore collaboration)
Primary Language C++ (Expert)
Secondary Tech Java, C#, Linux, Git, LaTeX

Skills & Competency Table

Key Skill Proficiency Level
C++ (STL / Performance) Expert
Value-at-Risk (VaR) Modeling Expert
Stress Testing Frameworks Advanced
Portfolio Sensitivities (Greeks) Advanced
Team Mentoring & Leadership Advanced
Numerical Algorithm Implementation Expert

Salaries & Compensation Analysis (2026 Estimates)

Annual Base Salary Est. Total Compensation Market Notes
£90,000 £115,000+ Entry point for a Senior Associate with 4 years specialized C++ exp.
£115,000 £155,000+ Median for established Quant Developers in London Clearing Houses.
£140,000 £200,000+ Upper-tier for leads with extensive IRS/CDS pricing expertise.

Job Summary

This senior role involves developing and implementing C++ risk and pricing models for CME Group’s Clearing House in London. You will build tools for VaR, stress testing, and portfolio analytics while mentoring junior quants. Requires 4+ years of C++ experience, strong mathematical skills, and a background in derivatives (IRS, FX, or CDS).


5 FAQs

  • Where is the office located? CME Group’s London hub is at 1 Duval Square (near Spitalfields/Liverpool Street), right in the heart of the financial district.

  • Is this more of a researcher or developer role? It is a Quant Developer role. While you must understand the math, your primary output is high-performance, production-grade C++ code.

  • What is the “Clearing House” context? You are working on the models that ensure the market stays stable if a member defaults—calculating the “margin” or collateral required to cover risk.

  • Do I need to know Java? Basic knowledge is required, as the C++ risk libraries often integrate with wider enterprise systems written in Java or C#.

  • What are the benefits? CME offers a “top-of-market” package including an annual bonus, equity awards, hybrid working, and significant education reimbursement (MBA/Advanced degrees).


Expert Analysis

In 2026, Clearing House Quants are focused on “Intraday Liquidity Stress.” This role at CME is particularly high-stakes because you are modeling risk for the world’s largest derivatives exchange. Success here depends on your ability to implement SIMM (Standard Initial Margin Model) or similar methodologies with extreme computational efficiency. Given CME’s recent push into Cloud-based Risk Analytics, experience with GCP or AWS would likely give you a major edge.


Location & Logistics Guide

The office is located in the City of London, specifically near Spitalfields. This area is a blend of historic markets and modern finance. It is exceptionally well-connected via Liverpool Street Station (Elizabeth Line, Central, Circle, Hammersmith & City, and Metropolitan lines), making it accessible from almost anywhere in Greater London or the home counties.

Wikipedia URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spitalfields


Career Path

A Senior Quant Development Associate at CME typically moves into a Principal Quant Developer or Director of Risk Technology role. Because you are managing both people and complex libraries, this position is a direct springboard into Head of Quantitative Development or Chief Risk Officer (Tech) roles within the global derivatives space.

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