As a Software Engineering Intern, you will work side-by-side with your mentor and teammates to build software for Optiver’s real-time trading environment. You will work on projects that further develop and optimize our systems, testing and shipping code with guidance from experienced engineers and seeing how your work performs in production. In our business, where markets are always evolving, each day brings new engineering problems shaped by live conditions, performance requirements and system reliability.
Optiver is building with cutting edge AI technology in the most competitive, data rich landscapes in the world: financial markets. That means no two days are the same, and every day brings new, exciting technical challenges to solve.
What you’ll do
During the ten-week internship, you will be mentored by Optiver engineers and work on projects that improve the systems, tools and infrastructure behind our trading decisions. You will:
- Build a strong foundation in trading fundamentals, from theoretical concepts and financial markets to strategies and the technology that supports them
- Work closely with senior engineers and traders to design, develop, test, and ship your code to production
- Tackle complex, real-world problems to enhance your critical thinking and problem-solving skills
- Learn how engineers collaborate with traders and researchers to understand requirements, respond to feedback and improve systems quickly
Based on your performance during the internship, you could receive an offer to join our firm full-time after your studies, in either our London or Amsterdam office.
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. Motivated by a passion for continuous improvement, you’ll thrive in a supportive, high-performing environment alongside talented colleagues, working collectively to tackle the toughest problems in the financial markets.
In addition, you’ll receive:
A highly competitive internship compensation package
Optiver-covered flights and accommodation in the city centre for the duration of the internship
Extensive office perks, including breakfast, lunch and dinner, world-class barista coffee, bi-weekly massages, Friday afternoon drinks, a bicycle to explore Amsterdam and much more
The opportunity to participate in sports and leisure activities, along with social events exclusively organised for your intern cohort
Who you are
Penultimate-year student in Computer Science, Computer Engineering or equivalent, with the ability to work full time upon graduation in 2028
Passionate for clean code, simple, well-architected systems and continuous improvement
Proficient in industry-standard coding languages such as C++, Python, or Java, with a strong understanding of underlying computer architecture and system operations
Have an entrepreneurial attitude and an interest in the financial industry
An analytical mindset and strong problem-solving skills
Able to work closely with other engineers, traders and business operations
How to Apply:
Apply directly via the form below for the position of Software Engineer Intern. Please provide us with a CV in English. Unfortunately we cannot accept applications via email for data protection reasons.
If your application is selected to proceed to the next round, you will be required to complete online assessments. By submitting your application you are confirming that you will be able to take the assessment within 7 days.
Kindly note that we do not require any assistance from third-parties including agencies in the recruitment of this role. If you have any questions feel free to contact our Recruitment team via the contact form
Diversity statement
Optiver is committed to diversity and inclusion.
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. Please let us know if you would like to request any reasonable adjustments by contacting the Recruitment team via the contact form, selecting "Reasonable Adjustments" as the subject of your inquiry.
For answers to some of our most frequently asked questions, refer to our FAQs.
For applicants based in India, our entry route is via the placement office internship hiring season (July/August).
Optiver has a global application re-apply policy for our intern and graduate roles. If you have completed an online assessment or interviewed for a technology graduate or internship role at any Optiver location in the past 8 months, please note that you are not yet eligible to reapply. We welcome you to re-apply after the 8-month cool off period.
Skills Required
- Penultimate-year student in Computer Science, Computer Engineering or equivalent
- Ability to work full time upon graduation in 2028
- Proficiency in C++, Python, or Java
- Strong understanding of computer architecture and system operations
- Analytical mindset and strong problem-solving skills
- Ability to work closely with engineers, traders and business operations
- Passion for clean code, well-architected systems and continuous improvement
- Interest in the financial industry and entrepreneurial attitude
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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