Alpaca API Algorithmic Trading Developer – Bot Setup, Backtesting & Excel Control Panel - Contract to Hire
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 Apply tot his job