Graduate FPGA Engineer (2027 Start - Chicago)

Optiver; Illinois; On-site; USD 180,000 - 220,000; Full time

Job summary

Optiver is seeking an FPGA Engineer to build nanosecond-accurate, highly parallelized hardware for a global trading firm. You’ll design with FPGAs/ASICs and collaborate with traders, software and infra teams to push latency boundaries.

Ideal candidates are pursuing a bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD in Computer or Electrical Engineering, expect to graduate between 2026-2027, and have hands-on HDL experience (VHDL/Verilog/SystemVerilog).

Qualifications

• A student pursuing a bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD in Computer Engineering or Electrical Engineering.
• On track to graduate between December 2026 to June 2027.
• Hands-on experience in digital design with FPGAs or ASICs.
• Experience writing hardware in VHDL, Verilog, or SystemVerilog.
• Passionate about clean code, well-architected systems and continuous improvement.
• Collaborative teammate with developers, traders and business teams.

Responsibilities

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

Skills

FPGA design

HDL development

Collaborative teamwork

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's/Master's/PhD in Computer Engineering or Electrical Engineering

Tools

VHDL

Verilog

SystemVerilog

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.

Base Salary Range

$200,000-$200,000 USD