Graduate FPGA Engineer (2027 Start - Chicago)

Optiver; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 180,000 - 220,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) match

Health benefits

Vacation days 25

Bonus potential

Job summary

Optiver, a leading trading firm, seeks an FPGA Engineer to design high‑speed hardware for nanosecond‑scale trading systems. You’ll pair with traders, software and infrastructure teams to push the limits of low‑latency networking and FPGA–CPU interfacing.

You will gain hands‑on with VHDL/Verilog/SystemVerilog, digital design for FPGAs/ASICs, and a mentorship program. The role includes competitive compensation, a strong benefits package, and a goal to grow with a global technology champion in

Qualifications

• Pursuing a bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related field.
• On track to graduate between December 2026 and June 2027.
• Hands-on experience in digital design with FPGAs or ASICs.
• Experience writing hardware in VHDL, Verilog, or SystemVerilog.

Responsibilities

• Accelerate network infrastructure and trading system components with high-speed hardware designs.
• Research new low-latency techniques and platforms and identify opportunities for integration with our trading system.
• Collaborate in a multidisciplinary team of traders, software developers, and infrastructure engineers.
• Leverage the best hardware available or build in-house versions to ensure our FPGAs can interface with cutting-edge server hardware.

Skills

FPGA design

VHDL

Verilog

SystemVerilog

Education

Pursuing BS/MS/PhD in Computer Engineering or Electrical Engineering

Job description

As an FPGA Engineer, you’ll work side‑by‑side with teammates to build real‑world applications that power a global trading firm. You’ll create solutions with nanosecond response times, highly parallelized algorithms, and customized low‑level networking that solve business challenges effectively and efficiently. Collaborating closely with our business, you’ll have in‑depth insight into a problem before developing the solution.

Optiver is building with cutting edge AI technology in the most competitive, data rich landscapes in the world: financial markets. That means no two days are the same, and every day brings new, exciting technical challenges to solve.

What You’ll Do

Your onboarding

In the first eight weeks, you will participate in Optiver’s comprehensive Global Academy and be equipped with the knowledge needed to make an impact the moment you join your team. The comprehensive training covers trading theory and Optiver’s tech stack to hone your skills for your role. In addition, you will be paired with a dedicated mentor who will empower you to take ownership of your work and make a difference at the firm.

Your responsibilities

• Accelerate network infrastructure and trading system components with high‑speed hardware designs.
• Research new low‑latency techniques and platforms and identify opportunities for integration with our trading system.
• Collaborate in a multidisciplinary team of traders, software developers, and infrastructure engineers.
• Leverage the best hardware available or build in‑house versions to ensure our FPGAs can interface with cutting‑edge server hardware.

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.

In addition, you’ll receive:

• The opportunity to work alongside best‑in‑class professionals from over 40 different countries
• Highly competitive compensation package
• Global profit‑sharing pool and 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:

• A student pursuing a bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or another related field
• On track to graduate between December 2026 to June 2027
• A student with strong engineering instincts and hands‑on experience in digital design with FPGAs or ASICs
• Experienced in writing hardware in VHDL, Verilog, or System Verilog
• Passionate for writing clean code, well‑architected systems, and continuous improvement
• A collaborative teammate comfortable working with developers, traders and business teams

Who we are:

Optiver is a leading technology‑ and research‑driven trading firm. Our teams of scientists, engineers, mathematicians, and traders work side by side to develop, test, and scale ideas that shape how we understand and trade global markets. Powered by a global platform built for rapid experimentation and iteration, we combine the scientific rigor of a research institution with the pace of a technology company.

Our differences are our edge. Optiver does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, physical or mental disability, or other legally protected characteristics. Optiver is supportive of US immigration sponsorship for this role.

Optiver has a global application re‑apply policy for our intern and graduate roles. If you have completed any portion of an online assessment or interviewed for an FPGA Engineer graduate or internship role at any Optiver location in the past 8 months, please note that you are not yet eligible to reapply. We welcome you to re‑apply to after the 8‑month cool off period.

Below is the expected base salary for this position. This is a good‑faith estimate of the base pay scale for this position and 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 (if determined by Optiver) and Optiver's benefits package with the benefits listed above.

Base Salary Range

$200,000—$200,000 USD