Application Guide

How to Apply for Software Engineer

at ICAP Energy AS

🏢 About ICAP Energy AS

ICAP Energy AS is at the forefront of driving sustainable markets through innovative energy and commodities brokering. As part of a global leader in interdealer brokering, the company offers a dynamic environment where technology directly impacts financial markets and sustainability. Working here means contributing to high-impact systems that power global energy trading.

About This Role

As a Software Engineer on the fixed income trading system, you will design and develop scalable solutions that are critical to the company's trading operations. You'll own key features end-to-end, mentor junior engineers, and drive engineering excellence in a fast-paced, high-stakes environment. Your work will directly influence the reliability and performance of trading platforms.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might start with a stand-up to discuss progress on features and any blockers. You'll spend time writing C++ code for a new trading algorithm, reviewing a junior engineer's pull request, and debugging a performance issue in production. After lunch, you might design a database schema for a new data feed and end the day by updating CI/CD pipelines to improve deployment reliability.

🎯 Who ICAP Energy AS Is Looking For

  • A strong C/C++ developer with deep expertise in Unix/Linux environments, capable of writing high-performance, low-latency code for trading systems.
  • Experienced with relational databases like Oracle or PostgreSQL, and able to design efficient data models for financial data.
  • A proactive problem-solver who can own features from design to delivery, with a track record of mentoring junior team members.
  • Familiar with CI/CD pipelines and engineering best practices, and passionate about code quality and automated testing.

📝 Tips for Applying to ICAP Energy AS

1

Highlight specific C/C++ projects where you optimized performance or reduced latency, as this is critical for trading systems.

2

Mention any experience with financial systems, even if not directly in fixed income; emphasize understanding of real-time data processing.

3

Tailor your resume to show Unix/Linux expertise, including shell scripting, system calls, and debugging tools like gdb.

4

In your cover letter, explicitly connect your experience to the company's mission of driving sustainable markets.

5

Prepare a brief portfolio or code sample demonstrating your ability to write clean, efficient C/C++ code for complex systems.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Emphasize your proficiency in C/C++ and Unix/Linux, with examples of low-latency or high-performance systems you've built.", 'Showcase your experience with relational databases and data modeling, especially in a financial context.', 'Demonstrate your ability to mentor junior engineers and promote best practices like code reviews and CI/CD.', 'Express enthusiasm for contributing to sustainable markets and the impact of technology in energy/commodities trading.']

Generate Cover Letter →

🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • Understand ICAP's role in the interdealer brokering market and how their technology supports energy and commodities trading.
  • Research the company's commitment to sustainability and how their platforms enable transparent, efficient markets.
  • Familiarize yourself with the fixed income trading landscape and the specific challenges of low-latency systems.
  • Look into ICAP's engineering blog or any public talks to understand their tech stack and engineering culture.

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Explain a time you optimized a C/C++ application for performance. What tools and techniques did you use?
2 How would you design a scalable data model for a trading system using PostgreSQL?
3 Describe your experience with CI/CD pipelines. How do you ensure code quality in a fast-paced environment?
4 Walk us through a complex feature you owned from design to delivery. How did you handle challenges?
5 How do you approach mentoring junior engineers? Give an example of a successful mentorship outcome.
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Avoid generic applications that don't mention C/C++ or Unix/Linux expertise; this role specifically requires these skills.
  • Don't overlook the mentoring aspect; failing to highlight leadership or collaboration could hurt your candidacy.
  • Never ignore the company's sustainability focus; showing alignment with their mission can set you apart.

📅 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:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to ICAP Energy AS!