In this role, you'll be instrumental in enhancing our alpha research and trading capabilities. We're looking for someone with a solid background in developing and implementing data pipelines, ready to apply their senior engineering expertise to our challenges. Your responsibility will include leading our approach to data analysis and pipeline architecture, ensuring scalability and efficiency across our global trading operations.

You will join the Delta One Quantitative Research team, where your work on real-time data capture and processing will directly influence our trading strategies for a wide range of products. This role demands a hands-on approach to technical problem-solving and a collaborative mindset to meet the data needs of our traders and researchers. Your efforts will be key to enabling smarter, data-driven decision-making and positioning our trading practices at the forefront of the industry.

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 Amsterdam office is where it all began. Over 35 years ago, Optiver’s business started with a single trader on the floor of Amsterdam’s European Stock Exchange. Since our 1986 founding, Optiver’s Amsterdam office has grown into one of the most dynamic and exciting trading floors in Europe. Our culture reflects the Dutch capital city’s progressive, innovative and inclusive nature. With its unique spirit, Amsterdam is the ideal hub for our teams to trade a wide range of products from listed derivatives to cash equities, ETFs, bonds and foreign exchange. 

What you'll do

You'll lead the direction for building the data pipelines that power our Delta One Quantitative Research. You will build integrations into our centralized platform for developing the cross-domain datasets that both drive our globally distributed low latency autotrading systems and inform our alpha research.

Examples of your day to day:

• Design and implement scalable, high-performance data processing systems that enhance real-time decision-making and trading strategies, solving complex problems and improve system reliability and efficiency.
• Build production-grade data pipelines running in cloud and on-premise for parallelized processing of data from our production systems and external data vendors.
• Working closely with both traders and researchers to understand their data needs and to ensure that the systems you develop meet their requirements for historical quantitative research and real-time trading analysis.
• Set the benchmark for software engineers across the company to develop completely reproducible systems for our trading system simulations.
• Involved in acquiring and importing data from various external sources, which could include financial markets, economic indicators, or other relevant datasets provided by external vendors.
• Continuously monitoring and optimizing the performance of data pipelines to handle large volumes of data efficiently, reducing latency, and increasing throughput.

Who you are

You will need the following skills:

• Exceptional programming skills in Python, coupled with a strong foundation in distributed systems, OLTP, NoSQL databases, and both cloud and on-premise computing infrastructures.
• Proficiency in data batch and stream processing, with experience in building data pipelines tailored for real-time or historical analysis.
• Advanced data modeling skills, capable of creating datasets for consumption by cross-domain pipelines, reflecting operational excellence and a commitment to solving problems with clarity and precision.
• Outstanding interpersonal skills, enabling effective engagement with stakeholders within and outside the technology department. Your extensive experience in software engineering, proven through developing and optimizing complex data pipelines and system architectures, showcases your leadership and ability to drive innovation.
• A demonstrated ability to mentor junior engineers and work collaboratively across teams, leveraging your deep technical knowledge and leadership skills to guide projects to fruition while promoting a culture of excellence and lifelong learning.

What you'll get:

The chance to start your career working alongside best-in-class professionals from over 40 different countries.

Alongside this you will get great secondary benefits such as 25 paid vacation days, fully paid first-class commuting expenses, training opportunities, discounts on health insurance, breakfast and lunch facilities, sports and leisure activities, Friday afternoon drinks and even weekly in-house chair massages. Being highly international, we are accustomed to guiding expats through their relocation, offering competitive relocation packages and providing visa sponsorship where necessary.

How to apply:

Apply directly via the form below for the position of Software Engineer – Data Platform Please provide us with a CV and letter of motivation in English. Applications without a letter of motivation will not be reviewed. When we think there is a potential match, you will hear from us sooner than you expect. If you have any questions feel free to contact our Recruiter Tommy Smith ([email protected]) Please note, we cannot accept applications via email for data protection reasons. 

If you are selected from your application to proceed to the next round for the position of Software Engineer – Data Platform you will be required to take an online assessment.

Kindly note that we do not require any assistance from third-parties including agencies in the recruitment of this role.

Diversity Statement

As an intentionally flat organization, we believe that great ideas and impact can come from everyone. We are passionate about empowering individuals and creating diverse teams that thrive. Every person at Optiver should feel included, valued and respected, because we believe our best work is done together.

Our commitment to diversity and inclusion is hardwired through every stage of our hiring process. We encourage applications from candidates from any and all backgrounds, and we welcome requests for reasonable adjustments during the process to ensure that you can best demonstrate your abilities.