At Optiver, FPGAs play a critical role in executing successful trades. With no external clients, we operate in a fast feedback, quick release environment.
As a FPGA Developer Intern at Optiver, you’ll work alongside experienced hardware engineers to ensure we have the fastest and most reliable trading systems in the industry. You’ll constantly be innovating with new technology in the hardware space, ensuring our latency is optimised to nanoseconds.
By the end of the 8-week internship, you’ll have deepened your understanding of how technology is used in the quantitative trading industry. Plus, if you’ve excelled over the summer, you’ll receive an offer to return as a Graduate FPGA Developer.
What you’ll do:
Led by our in-house education team that consists of ex-traders and engineers, you’ll delve into advanced engineering concepts and lead innovative projects, during our world-class training program. In just a few weeks, you’ll develop latency-critical applications that contribute towards our trading success.
During the internship, you will be paired with one of Optiver’s seasoned FPGA developers, providing you exposure to a variety of areas, including:
Designing highly accurate and efficient systems that respond to the financial markets in real time.
Improving infrastructure and trading systems using the latest FPGA devices, tools and techniques.
Developing rigorous RTL codes or test benches using a combination of VHDL and System Verilog.
Investigate and explore innovative machine learning algorithms and cutting-edge data communication/processing technologies to optimize and enhance existing trading systems.
Aside from technical skills, our dedicated education team will also work with you on your development, including:
Workshops on a variety of tech-based topics, along with soft skills to support your holistic growth as a developer.
A dedicated mentor who will guide you through our development process and how our trading systems work.
Trader training to get you up to speed on our business. This helps you understand the fundamentals of trading, enabling you to make an impact from the early stages of your Optiver career.
What you’ll get:
You’ll join a culture of collaboration and excellence, where you’ll be surrounded by curious thinkers and creative problem solvers. Driven by a passion for continuous improvement, you’ll thrive in a supportive, high-performing environment alongside talented colleagues, working collectively to tackle the most complex problems in the financial markets.
In addition, you’ll receive:
A highly competitive remuneration package.
Optiver-covered flights and accommodation for the duration of the internship.
The opportunity to work alongside diverse and intelligent peers in a rewarding environment.
Training, mentorship and personal development opportunities.
Gym membership, plus weekly in-house chair massages.
Daily breakfast, lunch and in-house barista.
Regular social events.
Who you are:
Masters or PhD Students who are graduating in 2028 or after 2027 September.
Studying an Electronic/ Electrical Engineering/ Microelectronics/ Computer Science or similarly technical degree.
Familiar with Xilinx or Intel FPGA device architecture, design flows, tools, and digital logic design concepts.
Familiar with HDL languages: VHDL and/or Verilog as well as some experience with Python and/or C++.
Knowledgeable about Linux commands and scripts.
Understand network protocols: Ethernet, IP, TCP/UDP.
Deeply passionate about technology, particularly FPGA hardware, and have a range of out-of-classroom projects or activities to prove it.
Team players who love working with like-minded peers and are always looking to learn and improve.
Interested in the trading/quantitative finance industry (previous knowledge is not required).
How to apply:
Don’t miss your chance to accelerate your career and thrive on one of the most dynamic trading floors in mainland China. Apply now via the form below.
In your application, please submit the following materials in English:
Resume
Cover letter (optional)
Questions? Please email [email protected].
We accept one application per role per year. If you have previously applied to this position during this season and have been unsuccessful, you can re-apply when the next recruitment season begins in 2027.
Diversity statement
Optiver is committed to diversity and inclusion. We encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds, and welcome requests for reasonable adjustments during the process.
Privacy disclaimer
Optiver 重视个人信息的保护。请您在提供个人信息给我们之前，认真阅读Optiver China Privacy Notice, 了解我们如何收集及处理您的个人信息。
Personal information protection is of utmost importance to Optiver. Before you provide any personal information to us, we strongly urge you to read our Privacy Policy to acknowledge how we collect and process your personal information.
Skills Required
- Masters or PhD student graduating in 2028 or after September 2027
- Studying Electronic, Electrical Engineering, Microelectronics, Computer Science or similar technical degree
- Familiarity with Xilinx or Intel FPGA device architecture, design flows, tools and digital logic design concepts
- Experience developing RTL code or test benches using VHDL and/or System Verilog (HDL)
- Familiarity with VHDL and/or Verilog
- Experience with Python and/or C++
- Knowledgeable about Linux commands and scripting
- Understanding of network protocols: Ethernet, IP, TCP/UDP
- Demonstrated out-of-classroom FPGA/hardware projects or activities
- Interest in trading/quantitative finance
Optiver Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Optiver and has not been reviewed or approved by Optiver.
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Career-Linked Recognition & Rewards — Pay is considered highly competitive in trading, quantitative, and engineering paths, with performance-linked bonuses materially elevating total earnings for strong contributors. High performers are described as seeing outsized upside when firm and team results are strong.
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Healthcare Strength — Health coverage is depicted as comprehensive, including medical, dental, vision, disability and life insurance, alongside HSA/FSA options and mental-health support. Some locations note unlimited therapy access through a partner platform.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — U.S. roles are often described as offering 25 days of paid vacation plus market holidays, alongside generous parental leave. This breadth of time off is highlighted as helping to offset a high-intensity environment.
Optiver Insights
What We Do
Optiver’s story began over 30 years ago, when we started business as a single trader on the floor of Amsterdam’s options exchange. Today, we are at the forefront of trading and technology as a leading global electronic market maker, focused on pricing, execution and risk management.
Why Work With Us
People at Optiver love challenges, welcome collaboration, and strive to be better tomorrow than they are today. Improving the market is an extraordinary challenge that requires a carefully crafted approach. Optiver provides a collaborative working environment to tackle these challenges. In fact, it is this way of working that sets us apart.
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