Options Market Making Quantitative Researcher

Selby Jennings; New York (NY); On-site; USD 180,000 - 220,000; Full time

Job summary

A global proprietary trading firm is seeking a Mid-Senior Level Options Market Making Quantitative Researcher in New York. This role involves designing and calibrating models for volatility surfaces and collaborating with traders on high-frequency strategies. Ideal candidates have 3-5 years of experience in options trading, strong programming skills, and an advanced quantitative degree.

Qualifications

• 3‑5 years of experience in options trading or volatility modelling.
• Solid programming skills in Python and C++.
• Strong understanding of options pricing and market microstructure.

Responsibilities

• Design and calibrate models for implied volatility surfaces.
• Work with execution teams to monetize signals.
• Collaborate with developers to integrate models into trading systems.
• Design hedging frameworks and monitor real‑time risk.
• Analyze performance and contribute to strategy improvements.

Skills

Experience in options trading

Volatility modeling

Programming in Python

Programming in C++

Understanding of options pricing

Education

Advanced degree in a quantitative field

Job description

Options Market Making Quantitative Researcher

Base pay range

$180,000.00/yr - $220,000.00/yr

About the Firm

A global proprietary trading firm is expanding into the U.S. market and building out its HFT equity options market‑taking and market‑making business. The team is highly collaborative, with approximately 25 members worldwide and connectivity to 12 exchanges. They are seeking exceptional Quantitative Researchers and Developers to play a pivotal role in shaping this new venture. The focus will be on high‑frequency market‑taking and market‑making quoting strategies. The leadership team comes from one of the top market‑making firms, offering a unique opportunity to join a high‑caliber group at an exciting stage of growth.

Opportunity

Join a globally integrated trading team expanding into equity volatility/options and ETF markets across major financial hubs. This is a non‑siloed environment where researchers, engineers, and traders collaborate closely to design and deploy high‑frequency strategies, emphasizing execution and signal monetization. This role is ideal for professionals with hands‑on experience in options volatility modelling and trading who want to contribute directly to strategy development and implementation.

Responsibilities

• Volatility Surface Modeling: Design and calibrate models for implied volatility surfaces across single-stock, index, and ETF options; productionize models for multi‑market deployment.
• Execution & Monetization: Work with execution teams to monetize signals through optimal trade scheduling and routing; develop and refine execution strategies for options trading.
• Collaborate with developers to integrate models into back‑testing and live trading systems.
• Design hedging frameworks and monitor real‑time risk.
• Analyze performance and contribute to continuous strategy improvements.

Ideal Candidate Profile

• QR or QD at an HFT or market‑making firm for U.S. single‑stock or ETF options.
• Currently working in a global investment bank's market‑making group on index or single‑stock volatility desks, with experience designing and fitting volatility surfaces.

Requirements

• 3‑5 years of experience in options trading or volatility modelling.
• Strong understanding of options pricing and market microstructure.
• Hands‑on experience with volatility models (e.g., SVI, SABR, GARCH).
• Solid programming skills in Python and C++.
• Advanced degree in a quantitative field (Math, Physics, Computer Science, etc.).

Seniority level

Mid‑Senior level

Employment type

Full‑time

Job function

Finance