Real-Time Linux Systems Admin – Low-Latency Trading

optimal sp. z o.o.; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Optimal Market Technologies, LLC in Chicago or NYC is seeking a hands-on Systems Administrator to join a fintech startup building a cutting-edge trading platform. You will own the infrastructure, collaborate with a senior Production Engineer, and automate routine tasks to move knowledge into documented systems.

The role covers Linux and network administration across on-prem and cloud, with incident response, IaC automation, and close partnership with development for deployments.

Qualifications

• Hands-on Linux and network administration experience.
• Strong scripting and automation skills.
• Experience with Infrastructure as Code (tool-agnostic).
• Production support and incident response background.
• Experience using AI tools, Claude Code preferred.
• Ownership and status communication without prompting.
• Clear communication in a small team.

Responsibilities

• Own the Linux and network estate across colocation and cloud.
• Automate routine work via Infrastructure as Code.
• Own infrastructure security: hardening, backups, and incident response.
• Diagnose and resolve production infrastructure issues.
• Ensure end-to-end connectivity monitoring to exchanges.
• Document runbooks and post-incident reviews.
• Collaborate with development on deployments and capacity planning.
• On-call coverage during market hours and rotations.

Skills

Linux administration

Network administration

Scripting

Infrastructure as Code

Incident response

Ownership

Communication

Tools

Nagios

Ansible

SQL

Python

C++

Azure

Claude Code

Job description

Optimal Market Technologies, LLC in Chicago or NYC is seeking a hands-on Systems Administrator to join a fintech startup building a cutting-edge trading platform. You will own the infrastructure, collaborate with a senior Production Engineer, and automate routine tasks to move knowledge into documented systems.

The role covers Linux and network administration across on-prem and cloud, with incident response, IaC automation, and close partnership with development for deployments.