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Optiver Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Optiver is looking for an experienced Production Software Engineer with responsibilities for building our infrastructure and automating our trading production environment. This team occupies a wide ...

Optiver's Index Options Market Making team is looking for an Equity Index Macro Analyst to provide research and trade recommendations on macro events and their impact on equity index markets. Ideal ...

FPGA Engineer

New York, NY

$142K - $182K/yr

At Optiver we pride ourselves on being real engineers, not just coders. Our engineers work closely with traders to identify the business problems we face and determine how they should be solved. We ...

Optiver's Index Options Market Making team is looking for an Equity Index Macro Analyst to provide research and trade recommendations on macro events and their impact on equity index markets. Ideal ...

Mentored by Optiver engineers, our program gives you the opportunity to: ​ * Deep dive into trading fundamentals, from theoretical concepts to financial markets, strategies, and cutting-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 ...

Optiver is looking for an Events & Executive Assistant to join our Travel, Events, and Leadership Office (TELO) team. This role is equal parts culture builder, event planner, and executive partner ...

FPGA Engineer

New York, NY · On-site

$200K/yr

At Optiver we pride ourselves on being real engineers, not just coders. Our engineers work closely with traders to identify the business problems we face and determine how they should be solved. We ...

Optiver is looking for an experienced Production Software Engineer with responsibilities for building our infrastructure and automating our trading production environment. This team occupies a wide ...

Institutional Trader Optiver is looking for an Institutional Trader to join our Trading Team. As one of the key faces of our organization, you will translate market intricacies into strategic trades ...

Operations Analyst

New York, NY · On-site

$110K - $133K/yr

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 ...

Optiver is seeking Software Engineers specializing in the US cash equities and US ETF markets to help lead our continued rapid growth across cash equities. Our Software Engineers lead large technical ...

At Optiver, creating a workspace where employees feel safe, comfortable, and cared for is foundational to our culture. The Facilities Coordinator I (FCI) plays a key role in delivering that ...

Lead Data Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$118K - $141K/yr

Optiver Chicago is seeking a seasoned Data Engineer to support and advance the data capabilities of our local research team and contribute to our broader Lakehouse architecture vision. In this role ...

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Optiver information

What is Optiver and what do they do?

Optiver is a global proprietary trading firm that specializes in market making and high-frequency trading across various financial markets. Founded in 1986 in Amsterdam, Optiver uses advanced technology, data analysis, and quantitative research to buy and sell financial instruments, providing liquidity and efficient pricing to markets worldwide. The firm operates in equities, derivatives, fixed income, and foreign exchange markets, and employs a large team of traders, engineers, and researchers. Their primary goal is to improve the functioning of financial markets, making them more transparent and efficient for all participants.

What exactly does Optiver do?

Optiver is a trading firm that engages in market making and proprietary trading across various financial instruments, including stocks, options, and derivatives. Employees in trading roles use quantitative analysis, programming skills, and trading platforms to provide liquidity and facilitate efficient markets. The company emphasizes strong analytical skills and often requires knowledge of financial markets and trading technology.

Is Jane Street better than Optiver?

Optiver and Jane Street are both leading proprietary trading firms known for quantitative trading and technology-driven strategies. The choice between them depends on individual preferences for culture, work environment, and specific trading approaches, as both firms offer competitive compensation and require strong analytical and programming skills. Neither is universally better, and candidates should consider their personal fit and career goals when comparing the two.

What are some typical challenges faced by new hires working at Optiver as traders?

New traders at Optiver often face the challenge of adapting quickly to a fast-paced, high-pressure environment where rapid decision-making is essential. The learning curve can be steep, as new hires must develop a deep understanding of financial markets, trading strategies, and risk management while collaborating closely with other traders, researchers, and technologists. Additionally, excelling at communication and teamwork is crucial, since strategies are developed and refined in close-knit, multidisciplinary teams. Support and training are provided, but success requires strong analytical skills, adaptability, and a willingness to learn from both successes and setbacks.

How much do you make at Optiver?

Salaries for trading roles at Optiver typically range from $100,000 to over $200,000 annually, depending on experience, performance, and location. Compensation often includes base salary, bonuses, and profit-sharing, with a focus on quantitative skills and trading expertise.

Is it hard to get a job at Optiver?

Optiver is known for a competitive hiring process that typically involves multiple interview rounds, technical assessments, and strong problem-solving skills. Candidates often need a solid understanding of quantitative analysis, programming, and trading concepts to succeed. The difficulty varies depending on the role and the candidate's experience and preparation.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Optiver Quantitative Trader, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Quantitative Trader at Optiver, you need strong analytical and mathematical skills, a degree in a quantitative field such as mathematics, physics, or computer science, and a solid understanding of financial markets. Proficiency with programming languages like Python or C++, experience with statistical analysis tools, and familiarity with trading platforms are typically required. Exceptional problem-solving abilities, quick decision-making, and effective communication set standout candidates apart. These skills are crucial for making data-driven trading decisions in fast-paced, high-stakes financial environments.
More about Optiver jobs
What cities are hiring for Optiver jobs? Cities with the most Optiver job openings:
What states have the most Optiver jobs? States with the most job openings for Optiver jobs include:
Infographic showing various Optiver job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 95% Full Time, and 5% Part Time. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution.

Software Engineer - Quantitative Development

Optiver

Chicago, IL

$200K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 29 days ago


Job description

Overview:
You'll build the infrastructure and workflows that power systematic and semi-systematic trading at scale. Sitting at the intersection of research and engineering, this role enables large-scale experimentation, high-fidelity backtesting, and data-driven strategy development.
You'll partner closely with traders and researchers to turn ideas into measurable experiments-designing robust backtests, iterating quickly, and uncovering signal in complex datasets. The systems you build will be critical to exploring new trading strategies, refining execution logic, and supporting advanced techniques including machine learning.
This is a highly experimental environment where progress depends on speed, correctness, and the ability to ask-and answer-the right questions.
Technology at Optiver:
At Optiver we pride ourselves on being real engineers, not just coders. Our engineers work closely with traders to identify the business problems we face and determine how they should be solved. We apply a disciplined and scientific approach. We engineer simple, well-architected solutions that meet the dynamic needs of our traders. Our passion is to solve problems which really matter to the business, and we take pride in the quality of our solutions.
What you'll do:
  • Build and scale high-performance backtesting and simulation infrastructure
  • Design workflows that enable rapid experimentation and hypothesis testing
  • Translate trading ideas into testable models, signals, and research pipelines
  • Ensure realism and correctness in simulations (e.g., market microstructure, latency, data quality)
  • Develop tools to analyze performance, explain behavior, and guide iteration
  • Improve the speed, reliability, and usability of the research platform
  • Own the full lifecycle from idea → backtest → analysis → production

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 complex, large-scale engineering projects
  • Strong computer science fundamentals and sound engineering judgment
  • Ability to balance innovative thinking with practical execution
  • Proficiency in systems-level programming (e.g., C, C++, Linux)
  • A mindset of continuous improvement in a fast-paced environment
  • Willingness to set technical direction, uphold engineering standards, and take ownership of outcomes

Who we are:
Optiver is a tech-driven trading firm and leading global market maker. As one of the oldest market making institutions, we are a trusted partner of 70+ exchanges across the globe. Our mission is to constantly improve the market by injecting liquidity, providing accurate pricing, increasing transparency and acting as a stabilising force no matter the market conditions. With a focus on continuous improvement, we participate in the safeguarding of healthy and efficient markets for everyone who participates.
Optiver Chicago's culture parallels the energetic city we're immersed in. Home to the Chicago Board of Trade, Chicago Board Options Exchange, and Chicago Mercantile Exchange, Chicago has established itself as the trading capital of the US. Active on leading US exchanges, Optiver's Chicago office trades a wide range of products from listed derivatives to cash equities, ETFs, bonds and foreign exchange.
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