Job Description
I’m looking for an experienced algorithmic trading developer with hands-on Alpaca API experience to help me set up, validate, and automate intraday trading algorithms.
I already have one core algorithm concept and need help implementing it cleanly, stress-testing it via Alpaca paper trading, and building a user-friendly Excel control panel to manage parameters and risk.
This is a serious, long-term project with potential for ongoing work if the initial setup is solid.
Scope of Work
1️⃣ Alpaca Account & API Setup
Assist with setting up an Alpaca account (paper trading first, then live)
Configure:
Alpaca API keys & permissions
Market data subscriptions
Order types and execution settings
Ensure:
Reliable order execution
Proper handling of rate limits
Stable real-time data flow
2️⃣ Algorithm Implementation
Implement Algorithm #1 (already designed conceptually)
Focus on:
Intraday buy/sell logic (same-day entry & exit)
Entry confirmation & stabilization logic
Exit rules, stop-losses, and risk controls
Deliver clean, well-documented Python code integrated with Alpaca
3️⃣ Excel Control Panel (Critical Requirement)
Create an Excel-based control panel that allows non-technical control of key parameters, including:
Stabilization time interval
Number of trades per day (m)
Risk per trade (% of capital)
Capital allocation per algorithm (% of total funds)
Daily loss limits
Trading time windows
Excel should:
Feed variables directly into the Alpaca-connected algorithm
Display live or near-real-time performance data
Be easily adjustable without modifying code
4️⃣ Backtesting, Paper Trading & Analysis
Perform backtesting and/or Alpaca paper trading
Provide clear performance metrics:
Win rate
Average gain/loss
Drawdowns
Best vs worst trading windows
Rank performance from highest to lowest percentage return
Identify market conditions where the strategy performs best
5️⃣ Stock Basket Selection Logic
Build or integrate pre-defined stock basket selection
Separate logic for:
Stable / large-cap stocks (e.g., Walmart-type behavior)
More volatile stocks (Phase 2 – logic to be developed)
Each algorithm should have:
Independent capital allocation
Independent risk parameters
6️⃣ Algorithm Expansion (Phase 2)
Help design or refine Algorithm #2 for more volatile stocks
Higher risk profile with controlled exposure
Separate Excel controls and capital allocation
What I’m Looking For
Required:
Proven experience with Alpaca API
Algorithmic trading bot development
Python (preferred)
Backtesting and paper trading workflows
Strong understanding of:
Intraday trading behavior
Risk management & position sizing
Slippage, latency, and execution issues
Clear, explainable trading logic (no black-box systems)
Nice to Have
Experience with hedge-fund or prop-firm style strategies
Excel ↔ Python integration
Prior Upwork projects involving Alpaca or trading bots
Deliverables
Fully functional Alpaca-integrated trading bot(s)
Excel-based parameter control panel
Documented strategy logic
Performance analysis & recommendations
Paper-trading validation before live deployment
Budget
Open to hourly or fixed-price
Will pay well for quality and reliability
Long-term collaboration preferred
To Apply
Please include:
Your experience with Alpaca API
Algo-trading projects you’ve built or deployed
Example or summary of similar work (if available)
Your approach to risk management