Application Guide
How to Apply for Senior Software Engineer (Back End)
at ICAP Energy AS
🏢 About ICAP Energy AS
ICAP Energy AS is a leader in energy and commodities brokering, driving sustainable markets through innovative technology. Working here means contributing to high-impact systems that power global trading, with a focus on performance and reliability in a fast-paced environment.
About This Role
As a Senior Back End Engineer, you'll design and build low-latency, distributed systems for front-office trading, including OMS and matching engines. Your work directly supports high-volume trading operations, ensuring system scalability and resilience.
💡 A Day in the Life
You'll start by reviewing system performance metrics from overnight trading, then collaborate with traders on new feature requirements. Afternoon is dedicated to coding, code reviews, and testing, ensuring low-latency enhancements are deployed without disruption.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who ICAP Energy AS Is Looking For
- Proven experience building latency-sensitive trading systems (OMS, matching, execution) in a front-office environment.
- Deep expertise in distributed, event-driven, cloud-native architectures with strong low-latency optimization skills.
- Strong relational database design and performance tuning (MSSQL, MySQL) in high-volume contexts.
- Hands-on leader who collaborates with architects and traders, owning deliverables end-to-end.
📝 Tips for Applying to ICAP Energy AS
Highlight specific trading system projects you've built or contributed to, emphasizing latency metrics and throughput improvements.
Quantify your experience with distributed systems and event-driven patterns, e.g., using Kafka or similar.
Showcase your database optimization work with real examples of schema design or query tuning for high-load scenarios.
Mention any familiarity with energy or commodities trading domains, even if tangential.
Tailor your CV to emphasize hands-on engineering leadership, not just management.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
['Your hands-on experience with low-latency trading systems and performance optimization.', 'Ability to lead by example while collaborating with cross-functional teams (architects, traders).', 'Commitment to engineering best practices and reliability in mission-critical environments.', "Interest in sustainable markets and ICAP Energy's role in driving innovation."]
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Study ICAP Energy's market position in energy and commodities brokering, especially sustainability initiatives.
- → Review their technology stack (if publicly available) and any case studies on trading platforms.
- → Understand the regulatory environment for energy trading in the UK and how it impacts system design.
- → Look into recent news about ICAP's innovations in sustainable markets or tech partnerships.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Focusing only on backend generalities without specific trading system experience.
- Neglecting to mention low-latency or performance optimization achievements.
- Not demonstrating ownership of full lifecycle deliverables in past roles.
📅 Application Timeline
This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.
Typical hiring timeline:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!
Ready to Apply?
Good luck with your application to ICAP Energy AS!