C++ Software Engineer – Latency-Critical Systems

Wolverine Trading; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Bonus opportunity

Paid time off

Medical, dental, vision coverage

401K and Roth 401K

Profit sharing

On-site meals

On-site gym

Job summary

Wolverine Trading in Chicago, IL, is seeking a gritty C++ Software Engineer to join our on-site engineering team, working alongside traders and quants to build high-performance systems.

You will own end-to-end components, optimize latency-critical code, and collaborate with practitioners to meet demanding performance requirements. This role demands deep C++ expertise and a drive for quality.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or equivalent.
• 2+ years of professional C++ experience with a genuine focus on performance and correctness.
• Strong command of modern C++ (C++17/20), including concurrency, memory management, and the STL.
• Solid grasp of algorithms, data structures, and low-level system behavior (Linux or Windows).
• Ownership mindset and pride in code quality.
• Desire to go deep, not broad.

Responsibilities

• Write and optimize performance-critical C++ across low-latency systems, from order execution to market connectivity.
• Profile, benchmark, and systematically eliminate bottlenecks at every level of the system.
• Collaborate directly with quants and traders to translate performance requirements into clean, efficient code.
• Own components end-to-end from implementation through testing and production deployment.
• Continuously refine understanding of modern C++ and apply it to hard, real-world problems.

Skills

C++

Performance optimization

Concurrency

Linux/Windows

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/CE

Tools

STL

Job description

Description

Speed is a competitive edge. At Wolverine Trading, the engineers who build and maintain that edge aren't managing it from afar, they're in the codebase every day. We're looking for gritty C++ Software Engineer to join our Chicago-based engineering team, working onsite alongside the traders, quants, and engineers who depend on the systems you'll help build.

Department

Technology

Location

Chicago, IL

What You’ll Do

• Write and optimize performance-critical C++ across our low-latency systems, from order execution to market connectivity
• Profile, benchmark, and systematically eliminate bottlenecks at every level of the system
• Collaborate directly with quants and traders to understand performance requirements and translate them into clean, efficient code
• Own components end-to-end from implementation through testing and production deployment
• Continuously refine your understanding of modern C++ and apply it to hard, real-world problems

What We’re Looking For

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or equivalent
• 2+ years of professional C++ experience with a genuine focus on performance and correctness
• Strong command of modern C++ (C++17/20), including concurrency, memory management, and the STL
• Solid grasp of algorithms, data structures, and low-level system behavior (Linux or Windows)
• Someone who takes ownership, thinks carefully about trade-offs, and takes pride in the quality of their code
• Most importantly: someone who wants to go deep, not broad

Why Join Us

Our flat organizational structure promotes teamwork across the Firm and offers easy access to senior staff. While we work exceptionally well as a team in the office, our bonds are further strengthened through company events, activities and giving back. Volleyball, soccer, hockey, 5K runs, picnic, parties, and trivia nights provide friendly competition and build better relationships. By getting out of our usual environment and doing out-of-the-ordinary things together, we foster creativity and broaden our imaginations to accomplish new challenges.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary & bonus opportunity
• Generous paid time off and flexible scheduling
• 100% coverage of medical, dental, vision, life, and disability benefits for single coverage
• Generous Paid Parental Leave
• Retirement Plans: 401K and Roth 401K
• Profit sharing plan
• Long- and short-term disability

Additional Perks

• Free breakfast and lunch from our in-house kitchen with rotating menus (including snacks!)
• On-site gym with a subsidized membership
• Frequent company outings
• Opportunity to give back to organizations that help individuals in need in the Chicagoland area

Professional Development

• In-house education team – classes and resources are offered for continuous learning opportunities
• Mentorship Program through your first six months of employment

The base compensation range for this role is approximately $110,000-$150,000 contingent on experience. Wolverine Trading's total compensation model includes base salary and an annual discretionary bonus.