Back
Experienced Trading

Experienced Futures Trader/Researcher

Chicago

Optiver is seeking an Experienced Futures Trader/Researcher to join our High Frequency Trading Team. Our HFT team is comprised of Researchers and Software Engineers who focus on designing, improving and executing trading strategies using machine learning. Our Quantitative Researchers specifically focus on conducting alpha/signal/features research, improving those machine-learning models, and refining trading algorithms. Should you join this collaborative, close-knit team, you’ll have the opportunity to directly impact everything in our research and execution pipeline.

Does the thought of making a direct, immediate impact thrill you? You may have found your next career move.  

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 50+ exchanges across the globe. Our mission is to constantly improve the market by injecting liquidity, providing accurate pricing, increasing transparency and acting as a stabilizing 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.

Our Chicago office offers a unique, big-city American experience. Located in the heart of the Chicago Loop, our working environment parallels the energetic city we’re immersed in. Home to CBOT, CBOE and CME, Chicago has established itself as the derivatives capital of the US, trading both options and futures. Active on several of the leading exchanges in the US market, Optiver’s Chicago office trades a wide range of products from listed derivatives to cash equities, ETFs, bonds and foreign exchange.

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

We're looking for an Experienced Futures Trader/Researcher who will be versatile, flexible and creative in fine-tuning trading algorithms. As a Researcher, you’ll work on complex, high-impact projects that result in instant feedback for both your team and for the business. 

As a member of our team, you can expect to: 

  • Conduct signal/modelling research for improving predictions and research for improving executing algorithms in the market
  • Collaborate with peers in reviewing research and solving problems
  • Improve the research workflow for your own benefit and your peers
  • Participate in strategic discussions to help set the direction of our business growth
  • See the direct impact of your changes in production 

Who you are:

Our success has been founded on the collaborative nature of how we operate. We look for people who thrive in team environments, love to be challenged daily and are intuitively strong. 
Additionally, as part of our team you’ll need:

  • 2+ years of experience on a successful futures/equities trading team (preferably a proprietary trading firm)
  • Experience in computationally intensive research
  • A bachelor’s degree
  • Strong analytical and mathematical skills
  • Familiarity in programming languages (C++, C#, Java) 

What you’ll get:

  • Work alongside best-in-class professionals from over 40 different countries.
  • Performance based bonus structure that is unmatched anywhere in the industry. We combine our profits across desks, teams and offices into a global profit pool fostering a truly collaborative environment to work in.
  • Ownership over initiatives that directly solve business problems. 

Alongside this you will get great other benefits such as 25 paid vacation days and market holidays, fully paid health insurance, daily breakfast and lunch, training opportunities, 401(k) match up to 50% and charitable match opportunities, regular social events and clubs, and many more.

At Optiver, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. Optiver recruits, employs, trains, compensates and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, physical or mental disability, or other legally protected characteristics. 

You are viewing: Apply now
Experienced Futures Trader/Researcher
Experienced Trading Chicago
Careers

Related vacancies

  • Trading

    Macro Strategist

    Do you enjoy ‘thinking big’ about global financial markets? Can you strategise about what political and economic events might mean? Are you intellectually curious and have the drive to learn? If so, consider a role with Optiver as a Macro Strategist. We are seeking someone who can collaborate with our traders to react to emergent […]

    Learn more
    Sydney
  • Trading

    Senior Futures Trader/Researcher

    WHO WE ARE Optiver is a global market maker with offices in Amsterdam, London, Chicago, Austin, Sydney, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Taipei. Founded in 1986, today we are a leading liquidity provider, with close to 2,000 employees in offices around the world, united in our commitment to improve the market through competitive pricing, execution […]

    Learn more
    Shanghai
  • Trading

    SPX Floor Trader Trainee

    At Optiver, we strive for excellence in all things we do. We are looking for a Junior SPX Floor Trader that shares this mindset along with a passion for tackling the toughest of challenges. If you are someone who has the aptitude to multi-task while staying focused, the ability to be a problem solver in […]

    Learn more
    Chicago
  • Trading

    Cash Equity Italian Institutional Sales

    As one of the world’s leading Market Making firms, we at Optiver pride ourselves on our ability to improve the market by providing liquidity in all market conditions. Our Institutional Sales teams are central to that success, trading directly with counterparties across the globe.  As we look to continue our growth, we are seeking an […]

    Learn more
    Amsterdam
  • Trading

    Institutional Trader

    Optiver is looking for an Institutional Trader to join our Trading Team. Upon joining our firm, you will be a key member in growing our equities and execution services arms. As one of the key faces of our organization, you'll translate market intricacies into strategic trades, driving profitability and expanding our trading counterparties utilizing your […]

    Learn more
    Chicago
  • Trading

    Equity Analyst

    Are you interested in Equity Research? Do you have an analytical mind and excellent quantitative skills? Does pricing and trading equity derivatives sound exciting to you? If so, you might be the perfect fit for our Equity team. We are looking for a talented Equity Analyst to provide real-time news analysis and fundamental research on […]

    Learn more
    Sydney
  • Trading

    Graduate Data Scientist (2024 Start)

    Can you solve this puzzle? An ant leaves its anthill in order to forage for food. It moves with the speed of 10cm per second, but it doesn’t know where to go, therefore every second it moves randomly 10cm directly north, south, east or west with equal probability. If the food is located on east-west […]

    Learn more
    Amsterdam
  • Trading

    Technical Options Trader

    At Optiver, we seek to continuously improve our approach to pricing, execution, and risk management. We believe that the rigour with which we approach these problems is a source of competitive edge. We have an appetite to diversify and improve and are always looking for great new talent to bring fresh ideas and perspectives to […]

    Learn more
    Sydney
  • Trading

    Graduate Quantitative Researcher (2024 Start)

    Can you solve this puzzle? An ant leaves its anthill in order to forage for food. It moves with the speed of 10cm per second, but it doesn’t know where to go, therefore every second it moves randomly 10cm directly north, south, east or west with equal probability. If the food is located on east-west […]

    Learn more
    Amsterdam
  • Trading

    Trading Support Analyst

    The Trade Support Analyst will play a crucial role in ensuring strong execution and settlement of trades within our Execution Services business line.  This position involves providing operational support, reconciling trade breaks and fees, and collaborating with Optiver’s Sales, Trading and on boarding teams.  The Trade Support Analyst will contribute to maintaining accurate trade records, […]

    Learn more