Software Engineer - Research Platform

Optiver
Chicago, IL
On-site

Who this role is best for

A natural match if you have experience in building distributed systems and leading engineering projects.

Best fit for

  • Candidates with a background in distributed systems and a history of leading large-scale engineering projects
    — “Experience leading large-scale engineering projects”
  • Individuals with expertise in Python and a willingness to work with Rust and GPU technologies
    — “Expertise in Python is required; experience with C, C++, or Rust is a plus”
  • Professionals who thrive in global collaboration and have a track record of working with traders and researchers
    — “Collaborating globally with Optiver business teams including traders, researchers, and engineers”

Things to consider

  • The role requires setting technical direction and promoting engineering principles, which demands strong leadership influence
    — “Readiness to set technical direction, promote engineering principles, and do the right thing”

How to stand out

  • Emphasize your experience in full-stack infrastructure development and research platform enablement
    — “By owning the full stack, from datacenter hardware to distributed research tooling”
  • Highlight your ability to integrate cutting-edge technologies into complex workflows
    — “Exploring cutting-edge technologies and integrate them into Optiver’s research workflows”
  • Showcase your track record in improving performance and scalability of compute platforms
    — “Expanding the Optiver Research Platform’s capabilities by building features and improving performance”
Pace · Fast PacedCollaboration · HighAutonomy · MediumDecision Impact · Team

Derived from job-description analysis by Serendipath's career intelligence engine.

What success looks like

  • high-performance research platform
  • efficient computational workflows
  • enhanced market insights
Typical background
software engineering experiencedistributed systems experience

Skills & requirements

Required

Software DevelopmentDistributed SystemsPerformance OptimizationBig Data ProcessingGPU Programming

Preferred

CUDA EcosystemResearch Platform ExperienceMarket Simulation

Stack & domain

PythonRustDistributed SystemsGpusCUDA EcosystemLeadershipProblem-solvingCollaborationCommunicationTechnical DirectionEngineering PrinciplesResearch PlatformHigh-performance Compute InfrastructureSoftware PlatformMarket Insights

About the role

Original posting from Optiver

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

As a Senior Software Engineer, your key responsibilities include:

Expanding 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

Building and evolving a fully managed compute & data platform layer for improved scale & reliability in Python & Rust

Exploring cutting-edge technologies and integrate them into Optiver’s research workflows to enhance performance and allow deriving better insights

Collaborating 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

At Optiver, 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 position will also be eligible for a discretionary bonus and Optiver’s benefits package with the benefits listed above.

Base Salary Range$200,000—$200,000 USD

Source: Optiver careers

Similar roles