Career Kickstarter – Technology (Mar 2027)

SANITI - Student Association of Nelson-Marlborough Institute of Technology Inc; Sydney; Hybrid; AUD 95,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Daily breakfast

Lunch provided

Coffee culture

Job summary

Optiver is offering a five‑day immersive Career Kickstarter: Technology program in Sydney to fast‑track from student to full‑time developer. You’ll join interactive lectures, practical projects and mentorship to design high‑performing low-latency systems for trading.

Eligible final‑year students with Australian working rights may receive an offer for the 2028 Graduate Program. The program emphasizes hands‑on coding, learning options theory, and exposure to software engineering and FPGA/Developer

Qualifications

• Final year students from computer science or related technical degrees.
• Australian working rights required.
• Interest in quantitative trading and software development.

Responsibilities

• Gain understanding of the quantitative industry and how technology powers trading success.
• Learn options theory and build/ test trading related software during workshops.
• Engage with educators, traders and developers to grow technical skills.

Skills

C++

Java

Python

Low latency design

Problem solving

Education

Final year student (graduating 2027 or earlier)

Job description

Want tofast-trackyourcareerpath from student to full-timedeveloper?

JoinCareer Kickstarter:Technology,ourfive-dayimmersiveprogramdesigned to accelerate your journey from university to a full-timetechcareer.Explore how technology drives our success in the global financialmarketsandgain hands-on experiencedesigningthehigh-performance systemsthatkeep us at the forefront of trading,where everynanosecondcounts.

Througha blend ofinteractive lectures,practicalprojects, and mentorship from ourworld-classeducation team,you’llsharpen yourproblem-solving skillsand learn how to think,andbuild,like adeveloperat Optiver.

Plus, ifyou’veexcelled in the program, you couldreceive anofferfor our2028GraduateProgram.

• Eligiblefor final year university students(graduating in 2027 or earlier),with Australian working rights


• Program dates:March 2027


• Application close:January 2027


• Where: OptiverSydney office*

*Note: If youresideoutside of Sydney, Optiver will cover your travel and accommodation costs.

What you’ll do

Led by Optiver’s world-class education team,you’llgain a deeper understanding ofthe quantitative industryandexplorehow technologypowers our trading success.

Learning and skill development

• Discoveroptions theory:Learn the fundamentals that underpin options trading, through engaging, interactive lectures.


• Enhance your coding capability:Putadvanced software engineering conceptsinto practise througha series oftech workshops.


• Learn about low latency:Gain experience around how low latency designs are critical to trading success at Optiver.


• Build and test your owntrading algorithm:Gain hands‑on experience designing and testing your own trading algorithm.

Networking and culture

• Gainexpert mentorship:Learn directly from a dedicated team of educators, consistingof current and former traders and developers.


• Build your network: Enjoyconnectingwithdevelopers,tradersandquantitativeresearchersthrough curated events.


• ExperienceOptiver’s culture:Immerse in ourincredible culture and enjoy our benefits, including daily breakfast, lunch, coffee, and more.

Who you are

• Final year university students (graduating in 2027 or earlier). All degree backgrounds are considered.


• An Australian or New Zealand Citizen, Australian Permanent Resident or able to provide evidence of full working rights.


• Studying (or studied) a Computer Science, Software/Electrical/MechatronicEngineeringor similarly technical degree.


• Problem solver who will enjoy building high‑performing, low latency designs that criticallyimpacttrading success.


• Curious to learn and comfortable exploring complex technical ideas.


• Have a range of out-of-classroom projects or extra‑curricular activities thatdemonstratesyour passion in technology, particularly software development.


• Excited to work alongside the best developers and traders in the industry, with the humility to continually upskill and improve yourself.


• Knowledgeable about object‑orientated design and development concepts (experience with C++, Java or Python isrequiredfor our technical assessment).

Applying for the program

TheCareer Kickstarterprogram offers threestreams:Technology, Trading or Research. To help you choose the stream that aligns with your interests, please find more information below.Please note that you can only apply for one stream.

Technology

OurSoftwareandFPGADevelopersplay a critical role in executing successful trades. Driven by the desire to find the simplest solutions to the most complex problems, they design andbuildhighperformancesystemsthat solvereal businessproblems.Check out Brenda’s ‘Day in the Life’ story to learn more.

Trading

OurTradersmake trading decisions based on market conditions and other factors.They’redriven and have a flair for analytical problem solving.Check out Matt’s ‘Day in the life’ story to learn more.

Research

OurResearchersbuild modelsleveragingbig data and machine learning toidentifyprofitable signals that underpin our algorithmic trading strategies.Check out Noah’s ‘Day in the life’ story to learn more.

Who we are

At Optiver, our mission is to improve the market by injecting liquidity, providing accurate pricing, increasing transparency, and stabilising the market no matter the conditions. With a focus on continuous improvement, we prioritise safeguarding the health and efficiency of the markets for all participants. As one of the largest market making institutions, we are a respected partner on 100+ exchanges across the globe.

Diversity statement

Optiver is committed todiversity and inclusion. We encourage applications from candidates from all backgrounds, and welcome requests for reasonable adjustments during the process to ensure that you can bestdemonstrateyour abilities.