Performance Engineer Intern - Summer 2027

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

Job summary

IMC Trading seeks a highly driven intern to apply quantitative techniques and practical experimentation to our trading technology in Chicago. You will perform quantitative research on large datasets, design strategies to optimize liquidity taking and quoting, and develop AI agents and pipelines in Python for ultra-low-latency trading.

You will collaborate with Traders and with Hardware and Software Engineers while reverse-engineering networking and systems technologies.

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled in CS/Engineering, graduating 2027–2028.
• Proficiency in at least one programming language.
• Strong quantitative and analytical abilities.
• Willingness to start internship on June 7, 2027.
• Interest in financial markets; prior knowledge not required.

Responsibilities

• Perform quantitative research with large datasets to understand exchange technology.
• Design strategies to optimize liquidity taking and quoting for exchange microstructure.
• Develop AI agents, ETL pipelines, and algorithms in Python for ultra-low-latency trading.
• Reverse-engineer and stress-test network and systems programming technologies.
• Collaborate with Traders and with Hardware and Software Engineers.

Skills

Programming

Quantitative skills

Analytical thinking

Communication

Team collaboration

Education

Current university student in CS/Engineering

Tools

Python

Job description

Technology is at the heart of modern electronic trading. IMC is seeking highly driven interns to apply quantitative techniques and practical experimentation to the technology used by exchanges, connectivity providers, and our own systems.

Your Core Responsibilities

• Perform quantitative research with large datasets to understand exchange technology.
• Design novel strategies to optimize IMC’s liquidity taking and quoting strategies for exchange microstructure.
• Develop AI agents, ETL pipelines and algorithms in Python to optimize IMC’s ultra-low-latency trading strategies.
• Reverse-engineer and stress-test network and systems programming technologies in order to understand them better than the manufacturers.
• Collaborate closely with Traders and with the Hardware and Software Engineers who will implement your ideas.

Your Skills And Experience

• Current university student graduating between September 2027 - July 2028 that is pursuing a degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related technology field.
• Proficiency in at least one programming language is required.
• Exceptional quantitative ability and analytical skills.
• Highly motivated to compete—and win—in one of the world’s most competitive markets.
• Experience with statistical modeling, machine learning, or network technology is a plus.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, with a desire to work cross-functionally across trading and engineering teams.
• Interest in the Financial Markets; previous knowledge is NOT required
• Must be able to start internship on June 7, 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. Please visit Benefits - US | IMC Trading for more comprehensive information. 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.