Afternoon Systems Software Developer Jobs in Illinois

Our formula for success is simple: hire exceptional talent, empower bold thinking, and reward performance that drives impact.

As a Software Developer at DRW, you will be an integral member of a dynamic team of technologists, quantitative researchers, and traders. Collaborating closely, you will contribute across the full technology stack tackling complex problems that require careful analysis and swift execution.

We’re looking for individuals who are eager to learn, think critically, and deliver solutions that drive tangible impact. From day one, you will be entrusted with meaningful responsibility, supported by mentorship from experienced engineers, and participate in a rigorous training program designed to accelerate your growth in this role.

At DRW, you’ll thrive in a fast‑paced, collaborative environment that values innovation, adaptability, and excellence—providing the tools and opportunities to make a direct difference.

How You Will Make an Impact:

You will design, develop, test, and deploy proprietary software that powers fundamental aspects of our business, such as:

• Design, develop, test and deploy proprietary software including:
  • Trading strategy simulation software optimized for distributed computation
  • Large scale data acquisition, storage, accessibility, and visualization
  • Ultra‑low‑latency trading strategies
  • Complex algorithmic trading systems
  • Real time trade management and risk analysis platforms
  • Low level optimizations for data processing
  • Fully automated trading strategies
  • Adapters for exchange protocols
  • Robust inter process communication mechanisms
• Analyze and tune system performance
• Collaborate with experienced teammates to learn and implement bespoke solutions that balance speed, features, and cost to improve our technology stack

What You Bring to the Team:

You’ll join us with a strong technical foundation and the ability to collaborate effectively. Specifically, you bring:

• A degree in Computer Science, Physics, Mathematics, or a related engineering discipline, with graduation expected between December 2026 and June 2027 (Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD)
• Proficiency in modern C++, Java or Python
• Skills in multi‑threading, API design and integration, data processing, and UI development
• Skills in network programming (TCP/IP), multi‑threaded applications, computational intelligence, real‑time programming or GUI programming
• A strong grasp of object‑oriented design, data structures, and algorithms
• Solid programming fundamentals paired with clear logical thinking and effective communication
• The ability to clearly articulate and advocate for your ideas within a collaborative team environment

DRW is a diversified trading firm with over three decades of experience bringing together sophisticated technology and exceptional talent to operate in markets around the world. We trade using our own capital and at our own risk, giving us the autonomy to move quickly and adapt to new opportunities.

Headquartered in Chicago, with offices across the U.S., Canada, Europe, and Asia, we participate in a broad range of asset classes, including fixed income, ETFs, equities, FX, commodities, and energy—trading across all major global markets. Beyond traditional trading, we’ve extended our expertise into real estate, venture capital, and cryptoassets.

At DRW, we value respect, curiosity, and open‑mindedness. We believe that how we work is just as important as what we do. Our culture is defined by high expectations, integrity, innovation, and a willingness to challenge the status quo.

The annual base salary range for this position is $225,000 depending on the candidate’s experience, qualifications, and relevant skill set. The position is also eligible for an annual discretionary bonus. In addition, DRW offers a comprehensive suite of employee benefits including group medical, pharmacy, dental and vision insurance, 401k (with discretionary employer match), short and long‑term disability, life and AD&D insurance, health savings accounts, and flexible spending accounts.

For more information about DRW's processing activities and our use of job applicants' data, please view our Privacy Notice at https://drw.com/privacy-notice.

California residents, please review the California Privacy Notice for information about certain legal rights at https://drw.com/california-privacy-notice.

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