endorsedOngoing

Development Staff Augmentation for OANDA — Internal Trading System

Services Covered:

Custom Software Development

Industry

Financial Services

Duration

61 months

Budget

200K - 999K

Start Date

1 July 2021

Team Size

1-5 Employees

Engagement Model

Offshore

Project Capability Score (PCS)

77/100

Good

Project Capability Score (PCS) estimates how capable Sombra is of successfully delivering a project like this, based on its past experience, track record, and ability to handle similar work. Learn more about PCS

Client

OANDA

Toronto, Canada

Project Summary

Sombra supplied development staff augmentation to a trading company (OANDA) to build an internal trading system. They provided backend and frontend developers working with Java, Spring, GraphQL, React and Apache Kafka on Google Cloud Platform and created a k6-based performance-testing POC and infrastructure. The client reports high-quality delivery, quick integration into Agile rituals, and ongoing engagement since July 2021.

Key Challenges

Difficulty finding developer talent in the market and expanding team capacity.
Need to onboard contractors who can work independently with minimal hand-holding.
Regulatory hiring constraints preventing hiring in Ukraine, requiring sourcing in other countries.

Project Deliverables

Internal trading system for the trading desk (backend and frontend).
Backend APIs exposed via GraphQL.
Frontend application for internal traders built with React.
Streaming integration of pricing data using Apache Kafka.
Performance testing proof of concept and infrastructure (k6) created and deployed.

Project Solution

Sombra provided offsite development staff augmentation to expand the client's engineering capacity, supplying backend and frontend developers who worked with the internal team to build an internal trading system. They implemented backend services using Java and Spring with GraphQL APIs, integrated streaming pricing data via Apache Kafka on Google Cloud Platform, built the React frontend consumed by traders, and performed performance testing by researching, proving a concept with k6, and building the required infrastructure.

Project Outcome

High-quality deliverables and the ability to execute projects independently.
Fast integration into the client's Agile rituals and active participation in sprint demos.
Completion of five large projects autonomously and positive consideration for full-time hires.
Ongoing long-term partnership with plans to renew the contract.

Platforms

Tech Stack

Java
Spring
GraphQL
React.js
Apache Kafka

Client Endorsement

Overall Review Rating

Timeliness

Cost Rating

Willing to Refer

Quality of Deliverables

“The client is delighted with Sombra’s performance and high-quality work. They integrate well with the internal team and participate in demo sprints. They’re also professional, communicative, a great cultural fit, and able to work independently. Their selective hiring process makes them efficient.”
Jason Emery
Software Engineering Manager
Date: 10/24/2022