C++ Developer Intern

Scalp Trade LLC; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 71,000 - 97,000; Full time

Job summary

Scalp Trade LLC is seeking a driven C++ Software Developer Intern in Chicago, IL. You will work with mentors to build high‑performance trading systems and learn low‑latency design, trading infrastructure, and modern C++ practices.

You'll contribute to core platform enhancements, code quality reviews, and real-time performance tuning, while documenting decisions and sharing knowledge with the team. The program emphasizes growth, mentorship, and hands-on production experience.

Qualifications

• Solid foundation in C++ (STL, memory management, move semantics, templates).
• Core CS fundamentals: data structures, algorithms, threading, synchronization.
• Rapidly pick up new tools, libraries, and frameworks with minimal guidance.
• Linux environments: shell scripting and command-line tools helpful.
• Excellent communication; eager to learn from mentors.

Responsibilities

• Develop and optimize components for automated trading systems under mentorship.
• Collaborate with senior engineers on core trading platform enhancements.
• Apply SOLID principles and modern C++ patterns in code reviews and design sessions.
• Participate in profiling and tuning for real-time operations.
• Document code and design decisions to improve knowledge sharing.
• Tackle well-scoped technical challenges to strengthen debugging skills in production.

Skills

C++ fundamentals

CS fundamentals

Quick learner

Linux familiarity

Collaborative mindset

Tools

Git

GDB

Valgrind

Perf

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Intern Chicago, IL, US

8 days ago Requisition ID: 1011

Salary Range: $84,000.00 To $84,000.00 Annually

We are seeking a driven and intellectually curious C++ Software Developer Intern to join our dynamic trading firm. This is an exceptional opportunity to gain hands-on experience building high-performance trading systems while contributing meaningfully to our operations. You will work closely with experienced engineers in a mentorship-rich environment, learning cutting-edge low-latency systems design, trading infrastructure, and modern C++ development practices. This internship is designed to accelerate your growth as a software engineer while you help develop tools and strategies that directly impact our trading operations. If you thrive on learning, enjoy solving complex technical problems, and want to understand how financial technology works at scale, this is the role for you.

• Develop and Optimize Components: Under mentor guidance, design and implement features for automated trading systems, with emphasis on understanding the 'why' behind architectural decisions in high-performance environments.
• Collaborative Development: Contribute to core trading platform enhancements alongside senior engineers, learning best practices for low-latency, distributed systems.
• Code Quality & Design: Learn and apply SOLID principles, modern C++ patterns, and system design concepts through hands-on code reviews and pair programming sessions.
• Performance Analysis: Participate in profiling and optimizing trading system components; understand tuning techniques for real-time operations.
• Documentation & Knowledge Sharing: Document code, design decisions, and lessons learned to build your technical communication skills.
• Problem-Solving: Work on well-scoped technical challenges that build your analytical and debugging skills in a production environment.

Required Skills & Qualifications

• Strong Foundation in C++: Solid grasp of C++ fundamentals (STL, memory management, move semantics, templates). Production experience not required; demonstrated projects or coursework show readiness.
• Core CS Fundamentals: Comfortable with data structures, algorithms, and basic systems concepts (threading, process synchronization).
• Quick Learner: Able to rapidly pick up new tools, libraries, and frameworks with minimal guidance.
• Linux Familiarity: Comfortable working in Linux environments; shell scripting and command-line tools are a plus.
• Collaborative Mindset: Excellent communication skills; eager to learn from mentors and ask clarifying questions.

Preferred Skills

• Multi-threading Experience: Practical familiarity with concurrent programming, thread safety, and synchronization primitives.
• Network Programming: Exposure to socket programming, TCP/IP, or distributed system basics.
• Additional Languages: Proficiency in Python, C#, or other systems languages broadens your perspective.
• Financial Markets Interest: Curiosity about trading, equities, options, or how financial markets work—we teach the rest.
• Database Exposure: Familiarity with SQL or understanding of how databases store and retrieve data at scale.
• Version Control & Tooling: Experience with Git, debugging tools (gdb, valgrind), or profilers (perf, flamegraph).

Personal Attributes

• Intellectual Curiosity: Genuine interest in understanding how systems work, from code to infrastructure to business outcomes.
• Growth Mindset: Embrace challenges and feedback as opportunities to learn. We expect you to grow significantly over the internship.
• Ownership & Initiative: Proactive in seeking learning opportunities and taking on well-scoped responsibilities with minimal oversight.
• Adaptability: Comfortable with ambiguity and rapid changes; thriving in a fast-paced, high-performance environment.
• Collaborative Problem-Solving: Strong analytical skills with a preference for brainstorming and learning from teammates.
• Passion for Technology: Excitement about staying current with modern C++ and high-performance systems.

What You'll Gain

• Hands-On Production Experience: Work in a real, production trading environment—not a sandbox. Your code runs strategies that generate revenue.
• Mentorship from Experts: Learn directly from senior engineers with deep expertise in low-latency systems, C++, and financial technology.
• Comprehensive Technical Knowledge: Understand high-performance systems design, from kernel tuning to network stack optimization.
• Career Acceleration: Build a portfolio of impactful projects and establish relationships with leaders in fintech.
• Potential for Conversion: Strong performers are considered for full-time roles upon graduation or at the conclusion of the internship.

Compensation : This internship is paid at $7,000 per month for the program.