C++ Senior Engineer - Options Market Making Execution

CTC Campus - Website; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 200,000 - 250,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid workplace

Generous time off

Insurance coverage

Free breakfast and lunch

Job summary

Chicago Trading Company (CTC) is seeking a Senior Engineer to build high-performance, low-latency trading systems for our Options Market Making business. You will work with Traders, Quants and Engineers to develop execution engines and trading strategies to reduce latency and improve P&L.

The role requires 5+ years in production C++, strong knowledge of low-level systems, architecture and networking, plus experience with multithreaded/distributed systems.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in a production environment using C++
• Deep knowledge of low-level systems programming, optimization and hardware/software co-design
• Strong fundamentals in computer architecture and networking protocols
• Experience writing multithreaded and distributed systems
• Ability to triage issues and drive resolution
• Experience in a high-frequency trading environment preferred

Responsibilities

• Design and build high-performance, low-latency trading systems for our Options Market Making business
• Work closely with traders, quants and technologists to move ideas from conception to production
• Coordinate with operations, pricing and exchange connectivity to integrate solutions
• Ensure testing, maintainable design and architecture, and adherence to best practices

Skills

5+ years C++

Low-level systems

Computer architecture

Networking fundamentals

Multithreaded systems

Issue triage

HFT experience preferred

Job description

Chicago Trading Company (CTC) is a premier proprietary trading firm specializing in options market making. Our collaborative culture fuels innovation in quantitative research, systematic trading strategies, and cutting-edge trading technology. For over three decades CTC has provided critical liquidity across derivatives exchanges worldwide - making them fairer, more transparent, and more efficient.

We strive to be the most innovative firm in the industry today, tomorrow, and long into the future while upholding ethical excellence. We believe that CTC makes a positive impact on the markets, the lives of our employees, and all the communities to which we belong. Started in 1995 by a team of forward-thinking Traders, we are proud to call ourselves an industry leader that keeps making markets and each other better.

Our Options Market Making Execution team is looking for a Senior Engineer to build high-performance, elegant solutions to keep CTC’s options trading infrastructure fast, efficient, and competitive. You’ll partner with Engineers, Traders, and Quant Researchers to develop and fine-tune execution engines and trading strategies with the goal of reducing latency, maximizing performance and improving P&L. By simplifying system management and constantly improving our options trading engines, you’ll ensure our trading infrastructure remains scalable, responsive, and cutting-edge.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

• Design and build high-performance, low-latency trading systems that power our Options Market Making business
• Work closely with traders, quants and technologists to drive ideas from inception to production in a timely and robust manner.
• Partner with other teams such as operations, option pricing, exchange connectivity to ensure your solutions seamlessly integrate into our firmwide trading infrastructure.
• Ensure operational safety and uphold the highest standards of software engineering by thoroughly testing code, following a coherent and maintainable design and architecture, and adhering to best practices—prioritizing carefully planned, well-structured solutions over ad hoc implementations.

WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR

• A minimum of 5 years of experience working in a production environment using modern C++
• Deep knowledge of low level systems programming, optimization, and hardware/software co-design
• Strong fundamentals in computer architecture and networking protocols
• Experience writing multithreaded and distributed systems with an affinity for delivering clean, performant code
• Ability to quickly triage issues and drive the resolution effort through completion
• Experience working at a high frequency trading firm is preferred

Compensation

The salary range for this role is listed below. This role is also eligible for an annual discretionary bonus. The discretionary bonus will be dependent upon the individual’s skills, experience, qualifications, and firm performance.

Salary Range

$200,000—$250,000 USD

Most teams at CTC, with the exception of Trading, follow a hybrid workplace model, subject to change based on business need.

Our Benefits

We strongly believe in the well‑being of our employees and their families so we offer outstanding benefits to support you both professionally and personally. These benefits include generous time off, insurance coverage, paid parental leave, free breakfast and lunch (plus healthy snacks, of course), wellness reimbursement, and a variety of other benefits focused on providing the best employee experience.

(Disclaimer: interns and contractors are not eligible for benefits at CTC)

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

At CTC, we aim to cultivate a workplace that celebrates diversity and each person feels included, engaged and empowered. Where each of us feels we belong. We are committed to having a diverse workforce and are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. CTC does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform crucial job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment.

If you have a disability and believe you need a reasonable accommodation in order to search for a job opening or to apply for a position, please contact us at [e-mail]. Note that emails sent to this email account for non‑disability related issues, such as following up on an application, will not receive a response.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Information submitted by job applicants may be subject to review and analysis by automated systems, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), as part of the recruitment process. Such systems are utilized to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of our hiring procedures. Applicants are advised that any information provided may be evaluated by AI tools to ensure an equitable and thorough assessment.