C++ Senior Engineer - Options Market Making Execution

Chicago Trading Company; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 200,000 - 250,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous time off

Insurance coverage

Paid parental leave

Free breakfast and lunch

Wellness reimbursement

Job summary

Chicago Trading Company seeks a Software Engineer to design and build high-performance, low-latency trading systems for our Options Market Making business. The ideal candidate will have a minimum of 5 years of experience with modern C++, and deep knowledge of low-level systems programming, optimization, and multithreaded systems.

The role offers a competitive salary range of $200,000—$250,000 and includes generous time off, insurance coverage, and wellness reimbursement among other benefits. Join our commitment to diversity and be part of a dynamic team.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in a production environment using modern C++.
• Deep knowledge of low-level systems programming and optimization.
• Strong fundamentals in computer architecture and networking protocols.
• Experience writing multithreaded and distributed systems.
• Ability to quickly triage issues and drive the resolution effort.

Responsibilities

• Design and build high-performance, low-latency trading systems.
• Work closely with traders, quants, and technologists.
• Partner with other teams to ensure seamless integration.
• Uphold the highest standards of software engineering.

Skills

Modern C++

Low-level systems programming

Optimization

Computer architecture

Networking protocols

Multithreaded systems

Distributed systems

Job description

Overview

Chicago Trading Company (CTC) is a premier proprietary trading firm specializing in options market making. Founded in 1995, we provide critical liquidity across derivatives exchanges worldwide, making markets fairer, more transparent, and more efficient.

Responsibilities

• 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, and exchange connectivity to ensure your solutions seamlessly integrate into our firm‑wide 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.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years of experience 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

Salary range: $200,000—$250,000 USD. This role is also eligible for an annual discretionary bonus, dependent upon the individual’s skills, experience, qualifications, and firm performance.

Benefits

• Generous time off.
• Insurance coverage.
• Paid parental leave.
• Free breakfast and lunch, plus healthy snacks.
• Wellness reimbursement.
• Other benefits designed to provide the best employee experience.

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

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: CTC is a 100% diverse workforce and a 100% diverse hiring team. We 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 provide reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities for the job application or interview process and for performing essential job functions.