Quant Derivatives Trader

J K Barnes; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

J K Barnes, an established proprietary trading firm, is seeking an experienced Quantitative Trader to develop and manage systematic strategies across liquid derivatives markets. The trader will own the strategy from research through live trading, require a demonstrable edge, disciplined risk management and detailed understanding of capital usage.

Candidates should have strong Python or C++ programming skills and a live track record; exposure to pricing, signals, and portfolio construction is

Qualifications

• Professional quantitative trading experience at a prop trading firm, hedge fund or investment bank.
• Demonstrable live track record with detailed performance information.
• Strong knowledge of derivatives pricing, trading and risk management.
• Experience developing systematic signals and production trading models.
• Strong programming skills in Python, C++ or comparable languages.
• Understanding of leverage, margin, liquidity and strategy capacity.
• Ability to explain sources of PnL, drawdowns and performance across market conditions.
• Personal ownership of results and commercial judgment.

Responsibilities

• Research, develop and deploy systematic derivatives strategies.
• Take ownership of the strategy from initial research through live trading.
• Develop pricing, signal-generation and portfolio-construction models.
• Analyse volatility, market behaviour, liquidity and execution costs.
• Manage positions, exposures and portfolio-level risk.
• Monitor live performance and improve strategies without compromising edge.
• Work with developers and senior traders to strengthen research and execution.
• Identify new products and markets for deployment.

Skills

Python

C++

Systematic trading

Risk management

Job description

An established proprietary trading firm is seeking an experienced Quantitative Trader to develop and manage systematic strategies across liquid derivatives markets.

The firm is looking for a trader who combines quantitative research capability with direct ownership of live trading performance. Candidates must be able to demonstrate a repeatable edge, disciplined risk management and a detailed understanding of how their strategy uses capital.

Relevant products may include listed options, futures, equity derivatives, index derivatives and related underlying instruments.

Responsibilities:

• Research, develop and deploy systematic derivatives strategies.
• Take ownership of the strategy from initial research through live trading.
• Develop pricing, signal-generation and portfolio-construction models.
• Analyse volatility, market behaviour, liquidity and execution costs.
• Manage positions, exposures and portfolio-level risk.
• Monitor live performance and improve strategies without compromising their underlying edge.
• Work closely with developers and senior traders to strengthen research and execution capabilities.
• Identify new products and markets in which the strategy can be deployed.

Requirements:

• Professional quantitative trading experience at a proprietary trading firm, hedge fund or investment bank.
• A demonstrable live track record, supported by detailed performance information.
• Strong knowledge of derivatives pricing, trading and risk management.
• Experience developing systematic signals and production trading models.
• Strong Python, C++ or comparable quantitative programming skills.
• Detailed understanding of leverage, margin requirements, liquidity and strategy capacity.
• Ability to explain sources of PnL, drawdowns and performance across different market conditions.
• Strong commercial judgement and personal ownership of results.

Candidates should be prepared to discuss:

• Products and markets traded.
• Holding periods and trading frequency.
• Year-by-year PnL.
• Sharpe ratio and maximum drawdown.
• Capital, margin and leverage requirements.
• Strategy capacity and scalability.
• Personal contribution to research and live trading decisions.

The firm offers a competitive base salary together with meaningful participation in generated trading performance.

All applications and conversations will be handled in strict confidence.