Graduate Hardware Engineer

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

Job summary

IMC Trading is seeking a driven Hardware Engineer student in Illinois to join our team. You will design and test hardware alongside software colleagues, driving ideas from concept to production while learning from mentors and leaders.

The role targets a graduating student between Sep 2026 and Jul 2027 in Electrical/Computer Engineering, with strong analytical skills and RTL programming experience (SystemVerilog/Verilog/VHDL). Full-time availability from Feb or Aug 2027.

Qualifications

• Current university student graduating between Sep 2026 – Jul 2027 pursuing Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related degree.
• Strong analytical skills and a desire to solve complex problems programmatically.
• Proficient in SystemVerilog, Verilog, VHDL, or other RTL programming (additional software experience is a plus; C++, Python, or similar).
• Desire to collaborate with non-engineers in a dynamic environment.
• Interest in the Financial Markets; previous knowledge is NOT required.
• Must be available for full-time employment starting in February or August 2027.

Responsibilities

• Enhance your knowledge of trading, algorithm complexity, system design, and coding.
• Work within different systems involving a mix of software and cutting-edge hardware technologies.
• Develop hardware designs and tests.
• Drive projects from ideation to production.
• Explore innovative low-latency techniques to implement within our trading system.
• Build relationships across our technology and trading teams.

Skills

Strong analytical skills

Solve complex problems programatically

Desire to collaborate with non-enginee

Education

Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering

Tools

SystemVerilog

Verilog

VHDL

C++

Python

Job description

Having the best technology drives our business. As a Hardware Engineer at IMC, you are responsible for spotting new opportunities, solving problems and developing new technologies. Our Hardware development process is innovative, pragmatic and fun, even as complexity grows. You will collaborate with team members and receive support from both a mentor and a lead who will oversee your projects and professional development.

Your Core Responsibilities:

• Enhance your knowledge of trading, algorithm complexity, system design, and coding
• Work within different systems involving a mix of software and cutting-edge hardware technologies
• Develop hardware designs and tests
• Drive projects from ideation to production
• Explore innovative low-latency techniques to implement within our trading system
• Build relationships across our technology and trading teams

Your Skills and Experience:

• Current university student graduating between September 2026 – July 2027 that is pursuing a degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related degree
• Strong analytical skills and a desire to solve complex problems programmatically
• Proficient in SystemVerilog, Verilog, VHDL, or other RTL programming (additional software experience is a plus; C++, Python, or similar)
• Desire to collaborate with non-engineers in a dynamic environment
• Interest in the Financial Markets; previous knowledge is NOT required
• Must be available for full-time employment starting in February or August 2027

The Base Salary range for the role is included below. Base salary is only one component of total compensation; all full-time, permanent positions are eligible for a discretionary bonus and benefits, including paid leave and insurance.

Base Salary: $200,000

About Us

IMC is a research-driven trading firm where quantitative modeling, machine learning, and engineering shape how modern markets are traded. A stabilizing force in markets since 1989, we provide liquidity across trading venues, delivering the best outcome in value and risk management to investors. Using our own technology and capital, we build proprietary systems and algorithms that operate across global markets. Our researchers, traders, and engineers work as a collective, combining rapid experimentation, advanced infrastructure, and real-time feedback to turn insight into execution and execution into advantage.