Software Engineer

Optiver is looking for Software Engineers to join our High-Frequency Trading (HFT) team in Austin. Our engineers work at the intersection of research-driven trading, machine learning, ultra-low-latency software and custom hardware to build fully automated trading systems operating across global markets.

As a Software Engineer, you'll work directly with traders, researchers and hardware engineers to solve complex technical challenges, develop new trading strategies and build the systems that bring them to production. Our teams own problems end to end, from data ingestion, feature generation and simulation through to high-performance C++ and FPGA-based execution.

We're continuing to expand into new markets, products and strategies, creating opportunities to build new systems, influence technical direction and see your work directly impact live trading across the world.

What you'll do

• Partner closely with traders and researchers to develop and improve research-driven, machine learning-based trading strategies.
• Build and optimize trading infrastructure across the full lifecycle, from data ingestion, feature generation and simulation through to production execution.
• Solve challenging performance problems across ultra-low-latency C++, software architecture and FPGA-based trading systems.
• Design and develop scalable research infrastructure that enables rapid experimentation, backtesting and deployment of new strategies.
• Push frequent, impactful code changes into production, with direct visibility into their performance in live markets.
• Contribute to the technical direction of our trading systems as we expand into new markets, products and strategies.
• Develop a deep understanding of market microstructure, trading and exchange behavior.

What you’ll get

You’ll join a culture of collaboration and excellence, 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, collectively tackling some of the toughest challenges in the financial markets.

In addition, you’ll receive:

• The opportunity to work alongside best-in-class professionals from over 40 different countries
• A highly competitive compensation package
• Global profit-sharing pool and performance-based bonus structure
• 401(k) match up to 50%
• Comprehensive health, mental, dental, vision, disability, and life coverage
• 25 paid vacation days alongside market holidays
• Extensive office perks, including breakfast, lunch and snacks, regular social events, clubs, sporting leagues and more

Who you are

• Strong engineering instincts and a deep understanding of computer science fundamentals.
• C++ experience preferred, ideally in performance-critical systems such as low-latency trading, market data processing, execution systems or simulation frameworks.
• An interest in solving complex performance challenges, whether through software optimization, systems design or hardware/software integration.
• Innovative, out-of-the-box thinking grounded in real-world pragmatism.
• A desire to continuously improve, learn and solve challenging problems in a rapidly evolving environment.
• Readiness to take ownership, influence technical direction and uphold high engineering standards.
• Experience with Python, Linux, distributed systems or machine learning infrastructure is a plus.

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 70+ 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.

Based in ‘The Domain’ neighborhood, Optiver’s Austin office serves as the firm’s innovation nucleus, with a strong focus on quantitative research, software and hardware engineering initiatives. With tech innovation an integral part of our core business, the booming city proved an ideal backdrop for our heavy investment into machine learning, research infrastructure and big data computing. What’s more, with world-class music, food and art scenes, as well as countless scenic outdoor activities, the quality of life for Austin Optiverians is second to none.

Our differences are our edge. Optiver does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, physical or mental disability, or other legally protected characteristics.