FPGA Intern

DRW; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Housing near office

Discretionary bonus as applicable

Social events in Chicago

Job summary

DRW in Chicago is seeking an FPGA Intern to build trading applications using SystemVerilog, Verilog, or VHDL with C++/Python. You will work under senior technologists on real-world projects with deployment goals during the ten-week internship.

You are pursuing a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD in Electrical/Computer Engineering, CS, Physics, Mathematics, or ML with graduation Dec 2027–Jun 2028. Housing is provided near the office, and you will join a collaborative, mentorship-driven team and social

Qualifications

• Pursuing a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD in Electrical/Computer Engineering, CS, Physics, Mathematics, ML with graduation Dec 2027–Jun 2028.
• Exposure to the FPGA development flow.
• Strong understanding of data structures and algorithms.
• Eagerness to learn and apply new knowledge and code impact.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical reasoning.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills.
• Excellent development skills in SystemVerilog, Verilog, or VHDL and working knowledge of C++ or Python.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, test, and deploy proprietary FPGA solutions.
• Collaborate with software developers, quantitative traders, researchers, and business analysts in cross-functional teams.
• Conduct robust research to determine best solutions and communicate ideas clearly.

Skills

FPGA development

Data structures & algorithms

SystemVerilog

Verilog

VHDL

C++

Python

Communication & collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s in Electrical Engineering

Master’s in Electrical Engineering

PhD in related field

Tools

SystemVerilog

Verilog

VHDL

C++

Python

Job description

Our formula for success is to hire exceptional people, encourage their ideas and reward their results.

As an FPGA Intern, you will build advanced trading applications leveraging cutting‑edge technology. DRW enables our FPGA Interns to develop a real‑world trading‑centric FPGA application under the guidance of senior technologists with the goal of deployment during the ten‑week internship. While your days will be immersed in complex projects directly driving DRW’s progress, your evenings will be spent exploring the city with organized social events to truly discover what it is like to live and work in Chicago.

How you will make an impact

• Design, develop, test, and deploy proprietary FPGA solutions. Examples include:
  • Decoders to receive raw packet data from various exchanges and translate it into a more accessible form
  • Modules which take decoded data and trigger events for specific instruments traded on that exchange
  • Novel FPGA architectures to expand our data‑processing capabilities
  • Identify innovative solutions to complex problems and advocate for their implementation by communicating ideas clearly and concisely
  • Conduct robust research using all available resources to determine the best solution
  • Collaborate with software developers, quantitative traders, researchers, and business analysts in cross‑functional team environments

What you bring to the team

• Currently pursuing a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, Mathematics, Machine Learning, or a related discipline with an expected graduation date between December 2027 and June 2028
• Exposure to the FPGA development flow
• Strong understanding of data structures and algorithms
• Eagerness to learn and apply new knowledge, and understanding the impact of your code
• Strong problem‑solving and analytical reasoning skills
• Strong communication and collaboration skills
• Excellent development skills in SystemVerilog, Verilog, or VHDL and working knowledge of C++ or Python, with a deep curiosity to learn new technologies quickly

What to expect during the internship

• Meaningful projects: Receive a challenging project advised by a hardware engineer, providing comprehensive learning and real work experience.
• Community: Participate in educational, social, and team‑building activities to foster friendship and camaraderie.
• Housing: DRW provides fully furnished apartments located close to the office, making the morning commute easy.
• Mentorship: Build a professional relationship with an experienced mentor; regular meetings to discuss goals, challenges, and professional development.
• Education: Complete an options course framed from a developer’s standpoint to understand how technology solutions are used in real time.

Compensation & Benefits

The annual base salary range for this position is $225,000, depending on the candidate’s experience, qualifications, and skill set. The position is also eligible for an annual discretionary bonus. Additional benefits include group medical, pharmacy, dental, and vision insurance; 401(k) with discretionary employer match; short and long‑term disability; life and AD&D insurance; health savings accounts; and flexible spending accounts.

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As set forth in DRW’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy, we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.