Quantitative Trader

Virtu Financial; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Virtu Financial is looking for Quantitative Traders to design and improve algorithmic trading strategies. This role offers comprehensive mentorship in trading operations and collaboration with engineers to further develop trading solutions.

Candidates should excel in problem-solving, have a strong academic background in hard sciences, and possess programming skills. The compensation ranges from $150,000 to $200,000, making it a lucrative opportunity in the financial technology sector.

Qualifications

• Excellent academic background preferred in hard sciences.
• Outstanding quantitative problem-solving skills and mathematical aptitude.
• Programming experience is required in Python, SQL, Java, or C++.

Responsibilities

• Design and improve high‑performance algorithmic trading strategies.
• Work closely with software engineers to enhance trading strategies.
• Integrate into strategy deployment and operation.

Skills

Quantitative problem-solving

Mathematical aptitude

Programming (Python, SQL, Java, C++)

Effective communication

Initiative and independence

Team collaboration

Education

Degree in hard sciences (computer science, math, physics, statistics)

Job description

Virtu is a leading financial firm that leverages cutting edge technology to deliver liquidity to the global markets and innovative, transparent trading solutions to our clients. As a market maker, Virtu provides deep liquidity that helps to create more efficient markets around the world. Our market structure expertise, broad diversification, and execution technology enables us to provide competitive bids and offers in over 19,000 securities, at over 235 venues, in 36 countries worldwide.

The Role

Our Quantitative Traders are responsible for the design, operation, and improvement of high‑performance algorithmic trading strategies deployed on electronic trading venues around the world. During an intensive period of mentorship and training in trade floor operations, Quantitative Traders learn the intricacies of each step of the trade flow process, eventually integrating into strategy deployment and operation.

This team also has the opportunity to work closely with software engineers to enhance and further develop the firm’s trading strategies. Quantitative Traders not only become experts in trading technology and its interaction with the market, but they also play a crucial role in the evolution of market micro structure and the driving forces behind liquidity. This is a great opportunity for the right candidate to kick start a career in the financial technology space.

The Candidate

• Excellent academic background. All majors welcome but hard sciences preferred (computer science, math, physics, statistics, and related fields).
• Outstanding quantitative problem‑solving skills and mathematical aptitude.
• Programming experience is required (Python, SQL, Java or C++ are a plus).
• The ability to communicate information precisely and with agility.
• A physicalizer; a person who identifies issues and creates solutions without rigid direction or fanfare.
• Highly motivated and tenacious individual, with a proven ability to take initiative and work independently and within a team.
• Team player: authentic, genuine person who is capable of working collective goals.
• Prior experience with trading, strategy games or poker, is helpful but not required.
• No finance background is necessary.

Compensation

Salary Range: $150,000 - $200,000 (salary range is exclusive of bonuses, benefits or other categories of compensation. See our careers page for more information)

Virtu Financial is an equal opportunity employer, committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace, welcoming you for who you are and does not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, disability, age, or other legally protected status.