Senior SDET / Chicago / Trading Experience

Motion Recruitment; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance

401(k) with company contribution

Paid Time Off

Employee wellness programs

Flexible work environment

Stock Options

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

Motion Recruitment in downtown Chicago is seeking a Software Development Engineer in Test to help build automated testing for next-generation trading, market data, analytics, and risk management platforms using Python, C#, and modern test frameworks.

You will design and maintain automated test frameworks, execute manual and exploratory testing, validate trading workflows, APIs, and databases, and collaborate with engineers, traders, and quantitative teams in a fast-paced fintech environment.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of QA Engineering/SDET/Automation Engineering experience.
• Proficiency in Python automation.
• Experience with Playwright or Selenium.
• Strong SQL scripting and database validation skills.
• Knowledge of FIX Protocol messaging.
• Experience in trading, financial services, capital markets, exchanges, or fintech.
• Understanding of options, derivatives, futures, or trading workflows.
• Experience performing both manual and automated testing.

Responsibilities

• Design and maintain automated test frameworks.
• Execute manual and exploratory testing activities.
• Validate trading workflows, market data integrations, and platform functionality.
• Test APIs, databases, and distributed applications.
• Support AI/ML testing initiatives and model validation efforts.
• Investigate production issues and create regression coverage.
• Collaborate with software engineers, traders, and quantitative teams.

Skills

QA Engineering

Python automation

Playwright/Selenium

SQL scripting

FIX protocol

Trading/fintech

Derivatives knowledge

Manual testing

Automated testing

AI/ML testing

LLMs tools

REST API testing

C# development

OMS/EMS knowledge

Performance testing

CI/CD testing

Tools

Playwright

Selenium

Job description

A rapidly growing financial technology organization in downtown Chicago is seeking a full-time Software Development Engineer in Test to support next-generation trading, market data, analytics, and risk management platforms. This position offers the opportunity to work with modern technologies including Python, C#, Playwright, Selenium, SQL, AI/ML tooling, and highly scalable real-time systems operating within the capital markets industry.

This opportunity is ideal for someone who enjoys solving complex technical challenges while working at the intersection of software engineering, quality assurance, trading technology, and machine learning. The organization operates with a highly collaborative culture where testers work closely with developers, quantitative teams, and business stakeholders. Candidates looking to expand their expertise in automated testing, derivatives markets, and AI-driven applications will find substantial growth potential.

Required Skills & Experience

• 3+ years of QA Engineering, SDET, or Automation Engineering experience
• Python automation experience
• Experience with Playwright, Selenium, or comparable automation frameworks
• Strong SQL scripting and database validation skills
• Knowledge of FIX Protocol messaging
• Experience within trading, financial services, capital markets, exchanges, or fintech
• Understanding of options, derivatives, futures, or trading workflows
• Experience performing both manual and automated testing

Desired Skills & Experience

• Machine Learning or AI testing exposure
• Experience with LLMs, Claude, Copilot, or agentic coding tools
• Knowledge of REST API testing and Rest Assured
• C# development experience
• Experience supporting OMS, EMS, market data, or execution platforms
• Prop trading or exchange technology background
• Performance and load testing experience
• CI/CD pipeline testing exposure

What You Will Be Doing

• Design and maintain automated test frameworks
• Execute manual and exploratory testing activities
• Validate trading workflows, market data integrations, and platform functionality
• Test APIs, databases, and distributed applications
• Support AI/ML testing initiatives and model validation efforts
• Investigate production issues and create regression coverage
• Collaborate with software engineers, traders, and quantitative teams

Tech Breakdown

• 40% Test Automation Development
• 25% Trading Platform Validation
• 20% API and Database Testing
• 15% AI/ML Testing Initiatives

Daily Responsibilities

• 70% Hands On
• 30% Team Collaboration

The Offer

• Bonus eligible

You will receive the following benefits:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• 401(k) with company contribution
• Paid Time Off
• Employee wellness programs
• Flexible work environment
• Stock Options
• Professional development opportunities

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the US on a full-time basis now and in the future.