Software Engineer (Entry-Level) - Python Akuna Capital · Chicago, United States

Tradermath; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 131,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Akuna Capital in Chicago is seeking an entry-level Python Software Engineer to join the Post Trade Technology, Data Engineering, or Crypto teams, collaborating with traders and software engineers to design elegant solutions on high‑performance systems handling large volumes of market data. We value innovation and provide training; no prior finance knowledge is required.

You must be pursuing a technical degree and graduate by August 2027 with a 3.5+ GPA and U.S. work authorization.

Qualifications

• Pursuing a bachelor’s, master’s, or Ph.D. in a technical field (CS/engineering/math/physics)
• Graduating by August 2027
• Major GPA of 3.5 or above
• Legal authorization to work in the U.S. on day one (including OPT/STEM for F-1)

Responsibilities

• Join Post Trade Technology, Data Engineering, or Crypto teams to design and implement elegant solutions
• Work on high-performance systems processing large volumes of trading and market data
• Collaborate with software engineers and traders to integrate technology with trading workflows
• Contribute to an ecosystem that blends software engineering with quantitative trading insights
• Onboard as a new engineer with training and continuous education

Skills

Python OO

Distributed systems

Analytical thinking

Team communication

Testable code

Adaptability

Self-starter

Education

STEM degree (BSc/MSc/PhD)

Graduating by Aug 2027

Job description

About Akuna:

Akuna Capital is an innovative trading firm with a strong focus on collaboration,cutting-edgetechnology, data driven solutions, and automation. We specialize in providing liquidity as an options marketmaker, meaning we are committed to providing competitive quotes that we are willing to both buy and sell. To do this successfully, we design and implement our own low latency technologies, trading strategies, and mathematical models.

Our Founding Partnersfirst conceptualized Akuna in their hometown of Sydney. They opened the firm’s first office in 2011 in the heart of the derivatives industry and the options capital of the world – Chicago. Today, Akuna is proud tooperatefromadditionaloffices in Sydney, Shanghai, Singapore, and London.

Whatyou’lldo as an Entry-Level Python Software Engineerat Akuna:

Pythonsoftware engineers at Akunahave the opportunity tojoin either our Post Trade Technology,Data Engineering, or Cryptoteams, workingalongsideothersoftware engineers and traders to design and implement elegant solutions to complex andinteresting problems.You’llusecutting-edgetechnology while working on high-performance systems that process and analyze large volumes of trading and market data. We offer a team-based approach to trading and software engineering, believing that productiveintegration of the two groups is vital for success in this industry.

Akuna is looking for software engineers who are motivated and willing to reach for creative solutions when faced with novel problems.We value innovation and hard work and wantour engineersto make an impact on the firm.Whether you areinterested in trading infrastructure, algorithms, exchange gateways, or data capture and analysis,there’sengagingwork to be done. If you are excited to jump in and make a difference, Akuna could be the place for you.

Requirements for this role:

• Pursuing a bachelor’s,master’s, orPh.D. in a technical field (computer science/engineering, math,physics, or equivalent)

• Graduating by August 2027

• Major GPA of 3.5 or above

• Legal authorization to work in the U.S. isrequiredon the first day of employment including F-1 students using OPT or STEM

Previousexperience in finance or trading isnotrequired.Many ofourengineersjoinedAkuna with little-to-nopriorknowledgeof the markets, and we pride ourselves on our ability to onboard those new to the industry. Training and continuous education are provided for all engineers to ensure they can buildthe requisite technical and non-technical skillset for success.

QualitiesThat Make a Great Python Software Engineer Candidate:

• Strong programming skills in Object-Oriented Python Development

• Demonstrated experience with distributed systems

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills

• Ability to communicate with the trading team, obtain requirements, find solutions, and implement them in a clean and concise way

• Ability to create an easily understood and testable codebase that can change as quickly as market conditions require

• Ability to react quickly and accurately to rapidly changing market conditions, including the ability to quickly and accurately respond and/or solve math and coding problems, is an essential function of the role

• Passion for innovation and building systems from the ground up

• Adaptability in an ever-changing environment

• Self-starter attitude with the ability to work independently

In addition to the above technical skills, Akunavalues diversity of experience and perspective. We believe thatengineers withvaried backgrounds andinterests allowus toapproach problems fromuniqueanglesandtouncover innovative,optimalsolutions.We want everyone to feel empowered to apply; we welcome your application, and we strongly encourage you to take the first steps in joining usin the future!

By applying to this role, you areindicatingthis is your top preference and acknowledge you will not be considered for other Quant and/or Tech roles atAkunathis recruiting season. This acknowledgement does not limit applications to Trading roles - in addition to this role, you may apply to any Trader roles ofinterest.

We are an AI-friendly company and encourage employees to leverage AI in their daily work. However, AI assistance is not permitted during interviews or assessments. Our interview process is designed to evaluate your individual skills and judgment, and the use of AI tools will result in disqualification from the hiring process.

In accordance withthe Illinois Equal Pay Act, theminimumannualized base salary starts at $145,000. Exact compensation offered may vary based on many factors including, but not limited to, the candidate’s experience, qualifications, and skill set. The minimum base salary hereinwasdeterminedin good faith by Akuna Capital LLC.