Network Engineer

About the role

Flow Traders is actively seeking a Network Engineer to join our Technology team based in Hong Kong, where you will play a critical role in ensuring the highest levels of infrastructure reliability for our trading operations. You will be inquisitive, inventive, and dedicated to technology, driving forward our network capabilities in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment. This role provides the opportunity to work within a prominent proprietary trading firm that encourages creative thinkers to fully utilize their skills and strive for high achievements. You will own the design, implementation, and optimization of network solutions that bridge global financial markets with our internal systems. Your work will directly support the firm's trading activities by maintaining robust, high-performance connectivity. You will be expected to innovate and introduce new connections that enhance system performance and stability. This position is ideal for a proactive professional who is committed to continuous improvement and operational excellence.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Architect and maintain the reliability of our trading systems infrastructure, ensuring seamless support for traders in their daily operations.
• Oversee, optimize, and troubleshoot a diverse range of applications running on our network systems.
• Pioneer innovations by establishing new connections between stock markets and our network, while implementing solutions to enhance system performance and stability.
• Execute the maintenance, upgrades, and orchestration of existing network infrastructure with a focus on automation initiatives.
• Develop, manage, and implement robust contingency plans, providing secondary and tertiary support to internal teams during critical incidents.
• Engage regularly with internal and external stakeholders, including traders, data centers, and third-party suppliers, to align on network requirements and performance goals.
• Continuously analyze network operations to identify and pursue opportunities for performance improvement and efficiency gains.
• Configure and manage advanced network infrastructure components to meet the specific demands of electronic trading environments.
• Lead initiatives to enhance network visibility, performance, and security through the strategic application of monitoring and management tools.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to translate business requirements into scalable and resilient network architectures.

Requirements

• Hold a Bachelor's Degree or Professional Degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field.
• Possess a minimum of 5 years of experience in IT roles focusing on support, optimization, and deployment across wide area networks, branch offices, cloud environments, multicast routing, security devices, and wireless networks.
• Demonstrate preferred experience in supporting electronic trading systems within capital markets or similar industries, with specific knowledge of the APAC region.
• Have hands-on experience in environments with low latency networks, including the use of capture probes and network latency management systems.
• Show proficiency in Cisco and Arista technologies, including L1, L2, L3 switches, routers, firewalls, and wireless systems.
• Understand the specific IT requirements of our organization, such as low latency, high performance, redundancy, and high availability, with the ability to resolve issues quickly.
• Be familiar with Unix/Linux command line and networking stack operations.
• Possess knowledge of routing protocols such as BGP, OSPF, and multicast routing (PIM SM/DM/SSM).
• Demonstrate practical scripting skills in Bash/Shell, Python, and Salt.
• Hold network-related certifications, such as CCNP, which are advantageous for this role.
• Have experience with cloud platforms like AWS and GCP to support hybrid infrastructure strategies.
• Understand data center and cabling standards to ensure organized and efficient infrastructure management.
• Show comprehension of project management methodologies and best practices to deliver network initiatives on time.
• Produce high-quality documentation related to network design, diagrams, and support materials for internal and external audiences.
• Embrace new technologies and collaborate effectively as a key member of a diverse technical team.

Nice to have

• Familiarity with switching concepts, including VLAN, Spanning-tree protocol (RSTP, MSTP), Port-Channel, VRRP/HSRP, CEF, and TCAM.
• Knowledge of time synchronization protocols such as NTP and PTP to ensure precise timing for trading applications.
• Understanding of TCP analysis and traffic optimization techniques to enhance application performance.
• Knowledge of security protocols like VPN, IPSEC, and SSL to secure network communications.
• Experience with network monitoring tools such as Zabbix, SNMP, Netflow, and Grafana for performance visibility.
• Familiarity with WAN connectivity options, including MPLS, Ethernet, and DWDM, to support global connectivity.
• Proficiency in packet decoding and analysis tools like tcpdump and Wireshark for deep network diagnostics.

Practical notes

Flow Traders does not accept unsolicited resumes from staffing or search firms. Any resumes or candidate information submitted to any employee at Flow Traders without a valid signed search agreement will be considered free to contact by Flow Traders without any restrictions, and no placement fee will be paid if the candidate is hired.