// Coding Jesus · getcracked.io · Quant Dev Roadmap

Break into HFT
as a Software Engineer

Engineering-only path · No finance math required · Based on Coding Jesus (YouTube / getcracked.io)

Learning path
QUANT DEV / HFT ENGINEER
C++
Core language
OS
Internals
Comp Arch
Hardware
Networking
TCP/IP
Sys Design
Architecture
Python
Secondary
C++Concurrency · Lock-free data structures · Memory management · Modern C++17/20 · Design patterns · Compiler optimization
OSThreads vs processes · Scheduling · TLBs · Memory allocation · Virtualization · Multi-level feedback queues
Comp ArchCPU pipelining · Cache hierarchy · Cache misses · Branch prediction · NUMA · CPU-specific optimizations
NetworkingTCP/IP stack · UDP · Multicast · Latency sources · Kernel bypass · Exchange protocols (FIX, ITCH)
Sys DesignOrder book design · Matching engine · Low-latency pipelines · Message queues · Ring buffers
PythonInterview-level knowledge · Common pitfalls · Data structures · Used as secondary screen
Recommended study order
01
Computer Architecture
Read Inside the Machine first. Short book. Gives you the mental model — cache, pipeline, branch prediction — before you write a single line of C++.
1–2 weeks
02
C++ Core → Concurrency
Your main grind. Start with modern C++ fundamentals (RAII, smart pointers, move semantics), then go deep on concurrency. This is where most of your time goes.
3–5 months
03
OS Internals
Layer in OS: Three Easy Pieces once you're mid-way through C++ concurrency. Threads and mutexes will make the kernel-level concepts click immediately.
6–8 weeks
04
Networking
TCP/IP Illustrated is the most self-contained. Save it for last. Understand the full stack — latency sources, UDP, multicast, exchange protocols.
4–6 weeks
Recommended books
C++
C++ Concurrency in Action
Anthony Williams
Priority #1
C++
Beautiful C++
J. Guy Davidson
30 Core Guidelines
C++
C++ Software Design
Klaus Iglberger
Design Patterns
C++ · Performance
The Art of Writing Efficient Programs
Fedor G. Pikus
Hardware-aware
Operating Systems
Operating Systems: Three Easy Pieces
Arpaci-Dusseau
Focus: Concurrency + VM
Computer Architecture
Inside the Machine
Jon Stokes
CPU Internals
Networking
TCP/IP Illustrated, Vol. 1
W. Richard Stevens
The Standard
Interview topics

// What firms actually test — quant dev track

C++ deep dives
Concurrency / threading
OS internals
Memory model
Computer architecture
Networking fundamentals
System design
Python gotchas
Basic probability
Logic puzzles
High frequency Medium Occasional
Portfolio project
// Build this
Matching Engine in C++
Order book (bid/ask) · Price-time priority · Limit + market orders · Lock-free queue · Nanosecond timing · Unit tested · On GitHub
→ The single best portfolio project for HFT roles per Coding Jesus