Backend & Systems Engineer - Fintech and Trading Systems
Hi, I’m Kai, a backend-focused software engineer with a cybersecurity background, working on data-intensive and performance-aware systems in fintech and trading contexts.
My core experience is in Python and Go, building backend services, APIs, and infrastructure where correctness, scalability, and latency trade-offs matter. I enjoy working close to system boundaries; understanding how data flows, how failures happen, and how systems behave under real-world load.
I’m especially interested in trading systems, market data processing, and real-time software, and I’m gradually building toward quantitative development roles.
Based in the UK
Tech Stack
Languages: Go, Python, SQL, JavaScript, TypeScript
Tools & Platforms: AWS, Docker, Kubernetes, gRPC, PostgreSQL, Redis
Portfolio
View all- Apple Music CLI - CLI for exporting and analyzing playlist/library data.
- Enchiridion - 2D dungeon crawler focused on gameplay systems and low-level control.
- DuskHollow - Text-based RPG with progression and branching interactions.
Blog Posts
More PostsGithub Contributions
Work Experience & Education
Self-Employed Software Engineer
Self-employed
Current
Currently working on my own financial software.
Cyber Security Programming Tutor
University of Warwick
October 2023 - July 2024
Delivered 10+ interactive programming tutorials to 50+ undergraduate and postgraduate students. Facilitated hands-on learning of algorithms and data structures, improved student engagement and comprehension.
Cyber Attack and Defence Internship
Forvis Mazars Group
July 2023 - August 2023
Collaborated on four pentesting projects, including IoT firmware analysis and malware evasion in Go. Wrote TDD-style unit tests and integrated checks into Git-based reviews; reduced regressions. Applied secure coding and testing principles relevant to high-reliability systems. Delivered internal tooling/docs; presented findings to stakeholders, aligning security with engineering priorities.
Cyber Security Graduate
University of Warwick
October 2021 – July 2024
Graduated with Upper Second Class Honours. Focused on the intersection of software engineering and security, with modules in Data Structures & Algorithms, Secure Systems Implementation, and Networks & Cyber Defence. Gained experience applying secure coding practices to web applications, APIs, and backend architectures.
A-Levels
Hurstpierpoint College
September 2019 – July 2021
Achieved A*, A*, A, B in Business Studies, Geography, Computer Science, EPQ.