CTC is a cutting-edge proprietary trading firm with a long-term vision and a clear focus on helping the world price and manage risk. Our fun and trusting culture inspires us to solve the industry’s most challenging problems and take calculated risks in a collaborative environment.
We strive to be the most innovative firm in the industry today, tomorrow, and long into the future while upholding ethical excellence. We believe that CTC makes a positive impact on the markets, the lives of our employees, and all the communities to which we belong. Started in 1995 by a team of forward-thinking Traders, we are proud to call ourselves an industry leader that keeps making markets and each other better.
Are you excited by the opportunity to be part of a dynamic trading environment that values teamwork and collaboration? Do you thrive in an innovative atmosphere? If so, we encourage you to consider Chicago Trading Company!
Our History
Chicago Trading Company (CTC) is a forward-thinking, technology-focused proprietary trading firm that helps the world price and manage risk. Our fun and trusting culture inspires us to solve the industry’s most challenging problems and take smart risks in a collaborative environment. We strive to be the most innovative firm in the industry that makes a positive impact on the markets, the lives of our employees, and all the communities to which we belong.
Started in 1995 by a team of traders, we are proud to call ourselves an industry leader that keeps making markets and each other better. As we look to the future, we are focused on scaling our successful options market making business to expand into new markets, new technologies, and new geographies. Our technology and information platform is a key component in our growth and expansion.
The Role
The Quantitative Trading Associate (QTA) role is our entry-level position within our Trading and Quant organization and gives you broad exposure to the whole business before you move into a more specialized role as a Trader, Quant Trader, Quant Developer, or Quant Researcher.
As a QTA, you will immediately become a member of a team which could include: an electronic trading desk, a risk management desk, or a quantitative role in a trading group. In a trading role, you will play a vital role in identifying trading opportunities and communicating with software engineers, quants, traders, and risk managers throughout the trading day. In a quantitative role, you will impact your group through dynamic problem solving by working on trading strategy formulation, back-testing, data analysis, prototype application design, and the modeling and pricing of traded financial derivatives.
We encourage competitiveness and collaboration in equal measure and strive to better each other to win as one team.
What to Expect
Due to the dynamic nature of this business, we cultivate an environment of continuous learning and growth through an in-house education department. Through formal classroom work, mock trading, and real-time practical exposure, you will gain a holistic introduction to the derivatives market while sharpening your quantitative skillset. You can expect:
- An introduction to options pricing, theory, and trading philosophies, and programming courses
- Exposure to different product areas and responsibilities
- One-on-one mentorship from senior members in the firm
- Opportunities to grow quickly and start making autonomous trading decisions
- Participation in data-driven research for the purpose of alpha generation
What it takes for you to be successful:
- A competitive drive and motivation that only gets stronger as a member of a collaborative team
- An aspiration to collaborate with traders, quants, and technologists
- You love solving complex problems
- You're intellectually curious and like to challenge the status quo
- You can effectively communicate sophisticated ideas both written and verbally
- Strong quantitative and analytical abilities
- Basic programming skills and a desire to learn Python, Java, or C++
- No prior experience in finance is necessary, but a deep curiosity and a hunger to learn is essential
Key requirements:
- Pursuing a Bachelor’s or Master’s All majors and concentrations welcome.
- Expected graduation between December 2024 – June 2025
- A demonstrated record of success (academics, awards, etc.)
- You are willing to relocate to Chicago, IL (limited openings in New York or London)
- Eligibility to work in the US with no restrictions or you are eligible to work in the US temporarily/will require visa sponsorship for permanent authorization
Why should you consider a career at CTC?
- Be part of a fast-growing, industry-leading global technology company
- Opportunity to work with and learn from forward-thinking leaders in our industry
- Experience innovation, teamwork, and fun while working in an intellectually stimulating environment
- Join an ambitious, collaborative workplace where there is no limit to what you can learn and what you will be able to contribute
- Excellent growth potential
- Competitive pay and comprehensive benefits package including free breakfast and lunch (and healthy snacks of course!) as well as a fitness center membership
Application Timeline:
- Following the application process, you will receive an online proficiency assessment to test your critical thinking skills.
- Based on your assessment results, you may be invited to a virtual first-round interview. We will notify you about your first-round interview status on a rolling basis.
- We will contact you shortly after your first round interview regarding your candidacy for final round interviews.
Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
At CTC, we aim to cultivate a workplace that celebrates diversity and each person feels included, engaged and empowered. Where each of us feels we belong. We are committed to having a diverse workforce and are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. CTC does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform crucial job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment.
If you have a disability and believe you need a reasonable accommodation in order to search for a job opening or to apply for a position, please contact us at [email protected]. Note that emails sent to this email account for non-disability related issues, such as following up on an application, will not receive a response.
Top Skills
What We Do
Chicago Trading Company (CTC) is a highly analytical, team oriented derivatives trading firm that employs a dynamic, disciplined approach to trading across a variety of products and strategies. We take decisive action to position ourselves at the forefront of the financial markets.
We actively trade in a broad spectrum of asset classes that include Equities, Interest Rates, and Commodities. We have grown dramatically since our inception in 1995. Recognized as a leading provider of liquidity and pricing on numerous derivatives exchanges globally, we trade more than 20 hours a day, six days a week.
With offices in Chicago and London, our success and rapid growth are due to our market experience, state of the art technology, risk management capabilities, and financial engineering expertise.
