Enterprise Infrastructure Engineering Lead

Optiver; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 200,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) match up to 50%

Comprehensive health coverage

25 paid vacation days

Extensive office perks

Job summary

Optiver is seeking an experienced Infrastructure Lead to join our US Enterprise Infrastructure Engineering team in Chicago. In this pivotal role, you’ll lead and mentor engineers, drive technical initiatives, and ensure operational excellence across our hybrid infrastructure.

The ideal candidate will have a proven leadership background, strong technical skills, and a passion for building automated and scalable infrastructure solutions. The position offers a competitive compensation package and extensive benefits.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years managing or mentoring technical teams.
• Strong technical background in infrastructure engineering.
• Hands-on with Python, PowerShell or Terraform.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of infrastructure engineers.
• Develop and manage global Optiver Trading Workstation infrastructure.
• Drive automation and best practices using tools.

Skills

Leadership experience

Infrastructure engineering

Python

PowerShell

Terraform

Active Directory

Networking concepts

Observability stacks

Tools

VMware

Windows Server

NetApp

Job description

Optiver is looking for an experienced and hands‑on Infrastructure Lead to join our US Enterprise Infrastructure Engineering team in Chicago. In this role, you’ll lead a small team of high‑performing engineers, drive technical initiatives across our hybrid infrastructure, and collaborate closely with global stakeholders. You’ll be responsible for both technical delivery and team development — striking the balance between strategic leadership and deep technical expertise. We’re looking for someone who thrives in a dynamic, fast‑paced setting and is passionate about building scalable, secure, and automated infrastructure solutions.

What You’ll Do

• Lead and mentor a team of infrastructure engineers based in Chicago
• Develop and manage the global Optiver Trading Workstation infrastructure and directly influence the front‑end systems used by all traders in Optiver
• Drive automation and infrastructure-as-code best practices using tools like Python, PowerShell, and Terraform
• Own critical systems across VMware, Windows Server, NetApp, and related enterprise infrastructure
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams globally, ensuring reliability, scalability, and operational excellence
• Be a culture carrier — shaping team values, communication practices, and ways of working
• Influence long‑term technical direction and provide strategic input on how infrastructure evolves to meet business needs
• Ensure observability and proactive system monitoring across all platforms

What You’ll Get

You’ll join a culture of collaboration and excellence, surrounded by curious thinkers and creative problem‑solvers. Motivated by a passion for continuous improvement, you’ll thrive in a supportive, high‑performing environment alongside talented colleagues, collectively tackling some of the toughest challenges in the financial markets.

• The opportunity to work alongside best-in‑class professionals from over 40 different countries
• Highly competitive compensation package including performance‑based bonus structure
• 401(k) match up to 50%
• Comprehensive health, mental, dental, vision, disability, and life coverage
• 25 paid vacation days alongside market holidays
• Extensive office perks, including breakfast, lunch and snacks, regular social events, clubs, sporting leagues and more

Who You Are

• Proven leadership experience managing or mentoring technical teams (minimum 3+ years in a lead capacity)
• Strong technical background in infrastructure engineering
• Deep hands‑on experience with, or a willingness to learn and dive deep into:
• Python, PowerShell, or Terraform (HCL)
• Virtualization infrastructure
• Windows Server management & debugging
• NetApp or similar enterprise storage systems
• Solid understanding of Active Directory, DNS, and core networking concepts
• Experience with observability stacks (e.g., SCOM, Telegraf/Influx/Grafana, Prometheus)
• Strategic thinker with the ability to influence and drive decisions, with a high degree of ownership
• Strong listener who creates space for diverse views while providing technical direction

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.

We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, physical or mental disability, or other legally protected characteristics.

The expected base salary for this position is $200,000—$230,000 USD. Offers will ultimately be determined based on experience, education, skill set, and performance in the interview process. This position will also be eligible for a discretionary bonus and Optiver’s benefits package with the benefits listed above.