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Trade Operations Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

Trade Support Engineer

Chicago, IL ยท On-site

$145K - $177K/yr

As a Trade Support Engineer, you'll sit on the front line of our trading operations, working shoulder-to-shoulder with traders, developers, and quantitative researchers to keep the production trading ...

Support corporate actions, position and trade lifecycle events, clearing activity, and infrastructure cost allocation. * Document procedures, strengthen operational controls, and reduce manual work ...

New

Director Foreign Trade

Oakbrook Terrace, IL ยท On-site

$180K - $204K/yr

Operational Oversight * Oversee import and export operations across multiple business units and legal entities. * Ensure efficient management of customs brokers, freight forwarders, and trade service ...

Director Foreign Trade

Oakbrook Terrace, IL ยท On-site

$180K - $204K/yr

Operational Oversight * Oversee import and export operations across multiple business units and legal entities. * Ensure efficient management of customs brokers, freight forwarders, and trade service ...

Director Foreign Trade

Villa Park, IL ยท On-site

$180K - $204K/yr

Operational Oversight * Oversee import and export operations across multiple business units and legal entities. * Ensure efficient management of customs brokers, freight forwarders, and trade service ...

Trades Dispatcher

Champaign, IL ยท On-site

$16 - $30/hr

... Trade Operations coordinator is responsible for providing administrative support to department heads of C-U Trade Services. This position reports directly to Trades Office Manager. Job ...

Trades Dispatcher

Champaign, IL ยท On-site

$16 - $30/hr

... Trade Operations coordinator is responsible for providing administrative support to department heads of C-U Trade Services. This position reports directly to Trades Office Manager. Job ...

Manage trading operations - confirm data feeds are available, ensure trading models launch successfully, diagnose issues and work with the operations team to resolve * Monitor live trading - monitor ...

Showing results 21-40

Trade Operations information

See Illinois salary details

$10

$25

$51

How much do trade operations jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 22, 2026, the average hourly pay for trade operations in Illinois is $25.43, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.26 and $29.33 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is trade operations?

Trade Operations refer to the processes and activities involved in supporting the execution, clearing, and settlement of financial trades in markets such as equities, bonds, derivatives, and foreign exchange. Professionals in trade operations ensure that all trades are accurately processed, documented, and settled in a timely manner, while also managing risks and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements. Their role is essential for the smooth functioning of investment banks, asset managers, and other financial institutions, as they act as the link between the front office (traders and sales) and the back office (settlement and accounting).

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in trade operations?

To excel in Trade Operations, a solid understanding of financial markets, trade lifecycle management, and strong analytical skills are critical, often supported by a degree in finance or a related field. Familiarity with trade processing systems such as SWIFT, Bloomberg, and reconciliation software, as well as regulatory compliance certifications, is highly valued. Attention to detail, effective communication, and problem-solving abilities help professionals resolve discrepancies and coordinate with multiple stakeholders. These skills ensure accurate and efficient trade settlements, minimize risk, and maintain regulatory compliance in fast-paced financial environments.

What are some common challenges faced in a trade operations role, and how can they be addressed?

Professionals in Trade Operations often encounter challenges such as tight settlement deadlines, managing complex cross-border transactions, and ensuring compliance with various regulatory requirements. Attention to detail and strong organizational skills are essential to minimize errors and prevent costly settlement failures. Many teams use specialized software and collaborate closely with traders, compliance officers, and custodians to streamline processes and resolve discrepancies quickly. Staying updated on industry regulations and fostering strong communication within the team can significantly help in overcoming these challenges.

What is the difference between Trade Operations vs Trade Compliance?

AspectTrade OperationsTrade Compliance
ResponsibilitiesManaging daily trade activities, logistics, and documentationEnsuring adherence to trade laws, regulations, and sanctions
CredentialsLogistics certifications, supply chain knowledgeCustoms regulations, compliance certifications
Work EnvironmentLogistics departments, international trade teamsLegal and compliance departments, regulatory agencies
Industry UsageCommon in global trade and logistics companiesEssential in companies dealing with international trade regulations

Trade Operations focuses on managing the logistics and daily activities of international trade, while Trade Compliance ensures adherence to legal and regulatory requirements. Both roles are vital in global trade, often collaborating to facilitate smooth and lawful international transactions.

What are popular job titles related to Trade Operations jobs in Illinois?

For Trade Operations jobs in Illinois, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Trade Operations job openings in Illinois as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 86% Full Time, 9% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 93% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $52,897 per year, or $25.4 per hour.

Trade Support Engineer

Valkyrie Trading

Chicago, IL โ€ข On-site

$145K - $177K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, PTO

Re-posted 6 days ago


Job description

What You'll Do:
As a Trade Support Engineer, you'll sit on the front line of our trading operations, working shoulder-to-shoulder with traders, developers, and quantitative researchers to keep the production trading environment healthy, stable, and fast. This is a hands-on, high-impact role: when the markets are open, you are our first line of defense.
Day to day, you will:
  • Monitor the production trading environment and respond to alerts in real time.
  • Triage, resolve, or escalate technical incidents under time pressure (Level 1/Level 2).
  • Deploy and configure proprietary and third-party trading applications.
  • Investigate trade and position breaks, and support back-office operations such as trade capture and reconciliation.
  • Assist with risk and compliance reporting.
  • Occasional handling of datacenter and trading desk hardware.
  • Write scripts to automate repetitive workflows and accelerate your own troubleshooting.
  • Collaborate closely with traders, clearing firms, exchanges, and vendor partners to meet business objectives.

Because this role covers the trading day end to end, it includes early market-open coverage and participation in an on-call / weekend rotation.
What You'll Need:
  • 2+ years of full-time, professional experience in Trade Support, Trade Operations, Application Support, or a similar production-support role.
  • Strong proficiency with both Windows and Linux, comfortable in desktop and command-line environments.
  • Solid scripting skills in one or more languages (e.g., Python, PowerShell, Bash) to automate tasks and analyze data.
  • Working knowledge of SQL for querying trade, position, and reference data during investigations.
  • Familiarity with data formats like JSON, XML, and Parquet.
  • Familiarity with current code generation AI tools.
  • A track record of troubleshooting application and OS-level issues calmly under pressure.
  • Strong communication skills, with a focus on resolving uncertainty and coordinating across traders, vendors, and internal teams.
  • Detail-oriented, with a strong bias toward documentation and repeatable process.
  • Ability to manage shifting priorities in a fast-moving environment.
  • Ability to work on-site in our Chicago office and participate in early-hours and on-call coverage as needed.
  • Must have valid, ongoing, unrestricted authorization to work in the United States without the need for employer-sponsored or self-initiated immigration filings.

Preferred (We'll Train the Right Person):
  • Experience with exchange-traded derivatives and a solid grasp of the trade lifecycle.
  • Hands-on experience interfacing with exchanges and clearing firms.
  • Familiarity with order entry and market data protocols (e.g., FIX, FIXP, MDP3, BOE, ITCH).
  • Exposure to observability tooling and incident-management practices.

Applicants with 3+ years of directly applicable experience are eligible for consideration at the Senior level.
What You'll Get:
  • Competitive salaries and performance bonuses
  • Top-tier medical and dental coverage
  • Relocation assistance packages
  • Generous vacation policy
  • Training opportunities and continuing education
  • Catered lunch, snacks, and beverages
  • Group outings and company parties
  • Casual dress environment

Salary range
  • $87,500-145,000
  • Senior-level candidates will be eligible for a base salary of $145,000-177,500
  • This position is also eligible for an annual discretionary bonus.

Our Vision
Valkyrie's vision is to be an organization where curious, driven, and innovative people are able to compete and win in the world's most competitive landscape - the financial markets. Daily competition in the financial markets provides the ideal arena to push ourselves further as we are ever striving to grow, improve, and win. We recognize that there are extraordinary opportunities to be had every day, and by exploring, collaborating, and building, we can accomplish remarkable results together.
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.