Tech interns – singapore
global programs
FutureFocus
about
Fast-track your future in trading, research, and technology
FutureFocus is a five-day discovery program for first- and second-year university students, designed to help you explore how your STEM skills could translate into impactful careers in the trading industry.
Led by the experts behind our internship programs, you’ll dive into technical lectures, skill-building workshops, and hands-on projects that offer an inside look to real-world challenges our teams solve every day.
Whether you’re interested in learning about quant trading and research, or how technology powers everything we do, there’s a path for you.
inside the program
Why choose FutureFocus?
Deepen your knowledge
Explore trading fundamentals and discover how our teams solve complex problems in a rapidly evolving, high-performance environment.
Build skills with experts
Develop practical skills you’ll take beyond the program with our in-house education team made up of seasoned researchers, engineers, and traders.
Secure your future
Excelling in the program could lead to a fast-tracked summer internship offer.
Experience Optiver
Get a taste of our culture and see how our collaborative environment drives everything we do.
Grow your network
Connect with experienced engineers, traders, and researchers, along with like-minded students.
From the alumni
“Definitely the best pre-quant recruiting program out there. I really appreciated how honest and transparent it was—and how much you taught us while pushing us to grow.”
Chicago program participant
“I appreciated the fast pace, even though it was more intense than I expected. It allowed me to learn a lot in a short amount of time, and made the whole experience dynamic and rewarding.”
Amsterdam program participant
“It struck a perfect balance between providing a challenge and offering guidance. The social parts were also great, and I met a lot of new friends.”
Sydney program participant
“I loved the program. The lectures were well-structured and engaging, and the instructors deeply cared and made it fun. The five-day format gave it way more depth than other programs, and everything was so well planned.”
Chicago program participant
locations
Find your program
We host FutureFocus programs across six of our global offices. If a program isn’t currently accepting applications, learn more and join our talent community to stay in the loop.
Find your match below.
Chicago
Trading | Research | Tech
Amsterdam
Trading | Research
Sydney
Trading | Research | Tech
Mumbai
Trading | Research | Tech
Shanghai
Trading
Singapore
Trading
who you are
We look for students with a variety of skills
Problem-solving
Some roles require thinking quickly and intuitively, others through deeper analysis and research. No matter your approach, the ability to think creatively and see multiple angles transforms complex problems into smarter solutions.
Strategic thinking
Whether you’re developing system design or trading strategies, exploring ideas through game theory or mapping out algorithms requires anticipating outcomes. You need to plan several moves ahead, not unlike a game of chess.
Pattern recognition
Trading often comes down to spotting patterns and applying logic, similar to solving a sudoku puzzle. You look for clues and eliminate possibilities to find the right fit. The same approach helps reveal inefficiencies and opportunities in the market.
Probabilistic reasoning
Understanding odds, risk vs. reward, and making decisions based on incomplete information is central to both games of chance, such as poker, and tackling quant or technical challenges.
Intellectual curiosity
If you find yourself asking not just “what” but “why” and exploring what sits beneath the surface, you’re already thinking like a researcher or engineer. The same curiosity pushes our team beyond textbook answers toward genuine discovery.
Process improvement
When something works, your next step is asking how it could work even better. Whether you’re refining a trading strategy, streamlining code, or enhancing a research model, you’ll look for ways to make processes more efficient and effective.
featured story
How two students secured a quant trading internship through FutureFocus
For some, this program isn’t just a crash course in options theory and problem-solving—it’s the first step toward a summer internship.
Learn how two attendees found their path to trading.
FAq
Frequently asked questions
How correlated is being good at mental math and being good at trading?
Being good at mental math is necessary, but more is needed to thrive as a trader at Optiver. In addition to quantitative skills, you also need to be a quick decision-maker and work well under pressure.
What majors do you typically look for?
We invite all STEM majors to apply, but common studies include computer science, mathematics, engineering, physics, actuarial, and economics.
Major requirements may vary by location, so please refer to the local program pages for specific details.
What’s the difference between quant trading and quant research?
While both exist on the trading spectrum, and require strong analytical skills and mathematical thinking, the day-to-day work can look quite different.
Quant research leans more heavily on AI, machine learning and full automation–much like programming a chess engine to play on its own. On the other hand, quant trading relies on a dynamic blend of technology and human decision-making–more like piloting an airplane, where real-time judgement still plays a crucial role.
Read more about the role differences here.
Can I apply for a program that is outside of the country I live/ attend university in?
You must be studying at a university in the country or region your program is in.
Who is eligible for the program?
Eligibility requirements are dependent on the program you apply to. Please refer to the specific program details for more information.
What’s the application process like?
This process may vary by program location, but here’s a general overview:
Application > Online Assessment > Behavioral and/or Technical Interviews
Can I apply for more than one program track?
We only accept one application at a time, so please apply to the program that is your top preference.
Do you cover travel expenses?
Yes. Optiver provides fully-covered accommodations and travel expenses.
intern stories
Inside the internship
Looking forward to what could be next? Get a behind the scenes look into our internship program.
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