Contract New Grad Software Engineer Jobs in Chicago, IL

Working as a coder at Hudson River Trading (HRT) means working on a small, highly productive, and efficient team. You may see "trading" in our name and assume you'll be relegated to some dark corner to code for the "business," but that could not be further from the truth! 

At HRT, an automated trading firm based in NYC, the code you write *is* our business, so it is everyone's job to make sure our developers have everything they need to do their jobs well.

As a member of the AI Tools team, you will be responsible for increasing productivity across the company by integrating the newest AI tools into our users’ workflows. Whether it’s for a Python developer writing a web app, a C++ developer speeding up order execution, a researcher investigating trade signals, or even Business Development meeting with vendors - we are focused on deploying what works.

This is an exciting opportunity to help build and define the AI tooling ecosystem at HRT. You will have to navigate the rapidly evolving options in this space, and adapt them to our own internal systems. You might be fixing auth one day, comparing vendors the next, and coding a new MCP the third. 

Responsibilities

• Help us develop software that improves productivity for every office and department at HRT while using the latest technologies and techniques in software engineering and the broader AI tooling ecosystem.
• HRT has many high-impact areas where we are integrating AI tools; here’s what you could work on:
• Writing a custom MCP wrapper around internal resources.
• Fine-tuning a new code completion model.
• Deploying a new coding assistant across all developer and researcher environments.
• Developing evaluations and iterating on an autonomous coding agent.
• Collaborating with security to improve AI sandboxing.
• Presenting and educating users on best practices.

Profile

• You’re one of the top devs in your current organization, as measured by productivity, technical capability, and helpfulness to other devs.
• Experience deploying and maintaining applications. You’ve managed an application from the design phase through the production phase.
• You’re comfortable with defining direction in an environment of ambiguity and uncertainty. The AI tooling space changes rapidly.
• You really like to work with people who challenge you and make you better at what you do.
• In your spare time you code, tinker, read, explore, break things, and have an insatiable curiosity for all things AI and computer-related.

Qualifications

• Completed a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related technical field. If you are currently pursuing your Bachelor's degree, please apply to our Campus/New Grad opportunities.
• Python experience is required, daily use of most recent standards preferred.
• C++ and JavaScript (TypeScript, React) experience a plus.
• Experience with the AI tooling ecosystem (use coding assistants/agentic workflows, ideally have built your own customizations).
• Superior design, debugging, and problem solving skills.
• Knowledge of UNIX operating systems (we use Linux), system/processor performance, and network communication.

The estimated base salary range for this position is 200,000 to 300,000 USD per year (or local equivalent). The base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. This role will also be eligible for discretionary performance-based bonuses and a competitive benefits package.

Culture

Hudson River Trading (HRT) brings a scientific approach to trading financial products. We have built one of the world's most sophisticated computing environments for research and development. Our researchers are at the forefront of innovation in the world of algorithmic trading.

At HRT we welcome a variety of expertise: mathematics and computer science, physics and engineering, media and tech. We’re a community of self-starters who are motivated by the excitement of being at the cutting edge of automation in every part of our organization—from trading, to business operations, to recruiting and beyond. We value openness and transparency, and celebrate great ideas from HRT veterans and new hires alike. At HRT we’re friends and colleagues – whether we are sharing a meal, playing the latest board game, or writing elegant code. We embrace a culture of togetherness that extends far beyond the walls of our office.

Feel like you belong at HRT? Our goal is to find the best people and bring them together to do great work in a place where everyone is valued. HRT is proud of our diverse staff; we have offices all over the globe and benefit from our varied and unique perspectives. HRT is an equal opportunity employer; so whoever you are we’d love to get to know you.

Please be advised: Use of AI tools during interviews or assessments is strictly prohibited, unless otherwise instructed or agreed upon. We employ various methods to evaluate the authenticity of candidate responses. If we determine that AI assistance was used during any stage of the hiring process, we reserve the right to immediately disqualify your candidacy or rescind any job offers extended.