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Backtesting Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

Motion Recruitment

Node Engineer / Backend

Chicago, IL · On-site

Our software brings institutional-grade analytics--pattern recognition, signal generation, backtesting, and automated execution--to professional traders, quantitative analysts, and investment teams.

IMC

Quantitative Developer - Python

Chicago, IL · On-site

Design high-fidelity simulation and backtesting infrastructure that models latency, microstructure, and real-world constraints * Define, compute, and curate features across instruments, regimes, and ...

IMC

Quantitative Developer - Python

Chicago, IL · On-site

$200K - $225K/yr

Design high-fidelity simulation and backtesting infrastructure that models latency, microstructure, and real-world constraints * Define, compute, and curate features across instruments, regimes, and ...

IMC

Quantitative Developer - Python

Chicago, IL · On-site

$200K - $225K/yr

Design high-fidelity simulation and backtesting infrastructure that models latency, microstructure, and real-world constraints * Define, compute, and curate features across instruments, regimes, and ...

Dime Line Trading

Quantitative Developer

Chicago, IL

Manage all aspects of the research process, including methodology selection, data collection and analysis, prototyping, backtesting, and performance monitoring * Maintain and clean datasets with an ...

Point72

Cubist Quantitative Researcher

Chicago, IL · On-site

Manage all aspects of the research process, including idea generation, data analysis, hypothesis development and testing, alpha discovery, trading strategy generation, backtesting and portfolio ...

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Backtesting information

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Backtesting Analyst, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Backtesting Analyst, you need a strong background in quantitative analysis, statistics, programming (typically in Python or R), and familiarity with financial markets, usually supported by a degree in mathematics, finance, or a related field. Proficiency with backtesting platforms (such as QuantConnect or Zipline), data analysis tools, and version control systems like Git is often required. Attention to detail, critical thinking, and strong problem-solving abilities are key soft skills that help ensure robust model evaluation and development. These skills are vital for accurately assessing trading strategies and minimizing risk in real-world financial applications.

What is backtesting?

Backtesting is the process of evaluating a trading strategy or investment model by applying it to historical market data. This helps traders and analysts see how the strategy would have performed in the past, which can provide insights into its potential effectiveness and risks. While backtesting can help identify strengths and weaknesses, it's important to remember that past performance is not always indicative of future results. The reliability of backtesting depends on data quality, strategy design, and how well it simulates real trading conditions.

What are some common challenges faced when backtesting trading strategies, and how can they be managed?

One common challenge in backtesting trading strategies is the risk of overfitting, where a model performs exceptionally well on historical data but fails in live markets. Data quality and availability can also pose issues, as incomplete or inaccurate data may skew results. To manage these challenges, it's important to use out-of-sample testing, robust data cleaning processes, and to validate strategies on multiple datasets. Collaborating with quantitative analysts and developers can also help ensure the backtesting process is thorough and reliable.

What is the difference between Backtesting vs Quantitative Analyst?

AspectBacktestingQuantitative Analyst
Primary RoleTesting trading strategies using historical dataDeveloping and implementing quantitative models for investment decisions
Required SkillsData analysis, programming, finance knowledgeMathematics, programming, financial theory
Work EnvironmentTrading firms, hedge funds, financial institutionsAsset management firms, hedge funds, banks
CertificationsOften none required, but CFA or CQF helpfulCFA, CQF, or advanced degrees common

Backtesting focuses on evaluating trading strategies with historical data, while a Quantitative Analyst develops models to inform investment decisions. Both roles require strong analytical skills and finance knowledge but differ in scope and responsibilities.

What are popular job titles related to Backtesting jobs in Illinois? For Backtesting jobs in Illinois, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Backtesting jobs in Illinois look for? The top searched job categories for Backtesting jobs in Illinois are:
Backtesting jobs near you
Node Engineer / Backend

Node Engineer / Backend

Motion Recruitment

Chicago, IL • On-site

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, PTO

Posted 29 days ago

Job description

We are a venture-backed fintech company building a next-generation platform for automated technical analysis and trading workflows. Our software brings institutional-grade analytics—pattern recognition, signal generation, backtesting, and automated execution—to professional traders, quantitative analysts, and investment teams.
We’re looking for a senior Node.js engineer to help evolve the backend systems that power a high-performance trading and analytics platform. You’ll work on the infrastructure behind algorithmic trading tools, data ingestion pipelines, large-scale backtesting engines, and a custom scripting environment used by thousands of active market participants.
Required Skills & Experience
  • Design, optimize, and maintain Node.js microservices processing tens of thousands of messages per second
  • Build and maintain data ingestion pipelines for market, fundamental, and alternative datasets
  • Improve observability across the platform (logging, metrics, tracing, alerting)
  • Implement the business logic behind charting, scanning, backtesting, and scripting engines
  • Write clean, well-tested, and maintainable code with a strong focus on performance
  • Manage cloud infrastructure using Terraform, including AWS-managed services
  • Work directly with PostgreSQL and MongoDB (no ORMs), scaling both read- and write-heavy workloads
  • Diagnose and resolve performance bottlenecks, memory leaks, and event-driven system issues
  • Partner with cross-functional teams to translate trading ideas into production-grade software
  • Continuously experiment, learn, and refine how market data and automation intersect
Desired Skills & Experience
  • Deep experience with Node.js, including performance profiling, memory management, and event-loop optimization
  • Hands-on experience managing infrastructure as code with Terraform (AWS RDS, Lambda, SQS, etc.)
  • Strong working knowledge of PostgreSQL and MongoDB at scale
  • Solid grasp of object-oriented and functional programming paradigms—and when to use each
  • Familiarity with Kubernetes (configuring clusters required; building and managing clusters is a plus)
  • Experience working in a microservices architecture with many independently deployed services
  • A disciplined engineering mindset around testing, CI/CD, containerization, monitoring, and alerting
  • Genuine curiosity about financial markets and trading; hands-on trading or strategy development experience is a strong plus
  • Bonus: Experience with systems programming or performance-critical components using C++ and/or Java
  • Bonus: Fluency or professional working proficiency in Russian or Ukrainian
The Offer
  • Bonus eligible
You will receive the following benefits:
  • Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
  • Vacation Time
  • Stock Options

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the US on a full-time basis now and in the future.
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