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Optiver Verified
Financial Services, Quantitative Trading, High-Frequency Trading (HFT)

Senior Software Engineer - Research Platform

Illinois, United StatesOnsiteFull TimeSenior$200,000–$200,000 /yrPosted 2 months agoVisa sponsorship available

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Role summary

Optiver is seeking a Senior Software Engineer to join their Research Platform team. This role involves expanding the platform's capabilities by building features and improving performance across service orchestration, job scheduling, cluster management, and big-data processing. The engineer will build and evolve a managed compute & data platform layer using Python and Rust, explore cutting-edge technologies, and collaborate with global research teams. The ideal candidate has experience leading large-scale engineering projects, a strong understanding of computer science fundamentals, and expertise in distributed systems and Python. Experience with C, C++, Rust, GPUs, and CUDA is a plus.

The Optiver Research Platform (ORP)
is a vertically integrated platform team that manages both high-performance compute infrastructure and the software platform layered on top. ORP enables Optiver’s global research teams to define and execute large-scale computational problems such as simulations and model training through streamlined orchestration of complex workflows. By owning the full stack, from datacenter hardware to distributed research tooling, ORP provides the fastest possible turnaround time for experiments and continually expands Optiver’s ability to generate insights from the markets we operate in.
What you’ll do:

  • Expand the Optiver Research Platform’s capabilities by building features and improving performance across service orchestration, job scheduling, cluster management, big-data processing, and other core services that business teams directly interface with.
  • Build and evolve a fully managed compute & data platform layer for improved scale & reliability in Python & Rust.
  • Explore cutting-edge technologies and integrate them into Optiver’s research workflows to enhance performance and allow deriving better insights.
  • Collaborate globally with Optiver business teams including traders, researchers, and engineers to push their understanding of the market to new heights.

What you’ll get:
You’ll join a culture of collaboration and excellence, surrounded by curious thinkers and creative problem-solvers. Motivated by a passion for continuous improvement, you’ll thrive in a supportive, high-performing environment alongside talented colleagues, collectively tackling some of the toughest challenges in the financial markets.
In addition, you’ll receive:

  • The opportunity to work alongside best-in-class professionals from over 40 different countries
  • A highly competitive compensation package
  • Global profit-sharing pool and performance-based bonus structure
  • 401(k) match up to 50%
  • Comprehensive health, mental, dental, vision, disability, and life coverage
  • 25 paid vacation days alongside market holidays
  • Extensive office perks, including breakfast, lunch and snacks, regular social events, clubs, sporting leagues and more

Who you are:

  • Experience leading large-scale engineering projects
  • Strong engineering instincts and a deep understanding of computer science fundamentals
  • Experience in distributed systems
  • Expertise in Python is required; experience with C, C++, or Rust is a plus
  • Experience working with GPUs and the CUDA ecosystem is a plus
  • Ability to tackle complex technical problems at the intersection of infrastructure and research enablement
  • Commitment to continuous learning and improvement in a rapidly evolving environment
  • Excellent communication and collaboration skills for working with global researchers and engineers
  • Readiness to set technical direction, promote engineering principles, and do the right thing

Who we are:
Optiver is a global market maker driven by technology. Our mission is to improve the market by injecting liquidity, providing accurate pricing, increasing transparency and stabilizing the market no matter the conditions. With a focus on continuous improvement, we prioritize safeguarding the health and efficiency of the markets for all participants. As one of the largest market making institutions, we are a respected partner on 100+ exchanges across the globe.
Applicants may submit up to three application per calendar year across all open roles.
Our differences are our edge. Optiver does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, physical or mental disability, or other legally protected characteristics.
*Below is the expected base salary for this position. This is a good-faith estimate of the base pay scale for this position and offers will ultimately be determined based on experience, education, skill set, and performance in the interview process. This position will also be eligible for a discretionary bonus (if determined by Optiver) and Optiver’s benefits package with the benefits listed above.*
Base Salary Range
$200,000—$200,000 USD

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