Software Engineer - Research Platform

Optiver; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Profit sharing

Performance bonus

401(k) match

Job summary

Optiver seeks a senior software engineer to advance the Optiver Research Platform (ORP) in Austin. You will help scale orchestration, scheduling, and data workflows, building a robust compute/data layer in Python and Rust for researchers and trading teams worldwide.

The role emphasizes distributed systems expertise, on-site collaboration at our Austin office, and a strong culture of continuous learning and impact in fast-moving markets.

Qualifications

• Experience leading large-scale engineering projects.
• Strong engineering instincts and a deep understanding of computer science fundamentals.
• Expertise in Python; experience with CUDA/GPU is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Expand the Optiver Research Platform by building features and improving performance across service orchestration, job scheduling, cluster management, and data processing.
• Build and evolve a fully managed compute & data platform layer in Python & Rust for scale and reliability.
• Collaborate with global traders, researchers, and engineers to push market insights.

Skills

Distributed systems

Python

Engineering leadership

CUDA

CS fundamentals

Tools

Rust

C++

Job description

The Optiver Research Platform (ORP) is a vertically integrated platform team that manages both high-performance compute infrastructure and the software platform layered on top. ORP enables Optiver’s global research teams to define and execute large-scale computational problems such as simulations and model training through streamlined orchestration of complex workflows. By owning the full stack, from datacenter hardware to distributed research tooling, ORP provides the fastest possible turnaround time for experiments and continually expands Optiver’s ability to generate insights from the markets we operate in.

What You’ll Do

• Expanding the Optiver Research Platform’s capabilities by building features and improving performance across service orchestration, job scheduling, cluster management, big-data processing, and other core services that business teams directly interface with.
• Building and evolving a fully managed compute & data platform layer for improved scale & reliability in Python & Rust.
• Exploring cutting-edge technologies and integrate them into Optiver’s research workflows to enhance performance and allow deriving better insights.
• Collaborating globally with Optiver business teams including traders, researchers, and engineers to push their understanding of the market to new heights.

What You’ll Get

You’ll join a culture of collaboration and excellence, surrounded by curious thinkers and creative problem-solvers. Motivated by a passion for continuous improvement, you’ll thrive in a supportive, high-performing environment alongside talented colleagues, collectively tackling some of the toughest challenges in the financial markets.

• The opportunity to work alongside best-in-class professionals from over 40 different countries
• A highly competitive compensation package
• Global profit-sharing pool and performance-based bonus structure
• 401(k) match up to 50%
• Comprehensive health, mental, dental, vision, disability, and life coverage
• 25 paid vacation days alongside market holidays
• Extensive office perks, including breakfast, lunch and snacks, regular social events, clubs, sporting leagues and more

Who You Are

• Experience leading large-scale engineering projects
• Strong engineering instincts and a deep understanding of computer science fundamentals
• Experience in distributed systems
• Expertise in Python is required; experience with C, C++, or Rust is a plus
• Experience working with GPUs and the CUDA ecosystem is a plus
• Ability to tackle complex technical problems at the intersection of infrastructure and research enablement
• Commitment to continuous learning and improvement in a rapidly evolving environment
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills for working with global researchers and engineers
• Readiness to set technical direction, promote engineering principles, and do the right thing

Who We Are

At Optiver, our mission is to improve the market by injecting liquidity, providing accurate pricing, increasing transparency and stabilizing the market no matter the conditions. With a focus on continuous improvement, we prioritize safeguarding the health and efficiency of the markets for all participants. As one of the largest market making institutions, we are a respected partner on 100+ exchanges across the globe.

Our Austin office serves as the firm’s innovation nucleus, with a strong focus on quantitative research, software development and hardware engineering. The team here plays a central role in advancing our heavy investment in machine learning, research infrastructure and big data computing. Located in The Domain neighborhood, the office is surrounded by world-class music, great food and easy access to outdoor spaces, providing a vibrant setting for the team.

We value in-person collaboration across disciplines, and this role is based on-site in our Austin office.

Applicants may submit up to three application per calendar year across all open roles.

Our differences are our edge. Optiver does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, physical or mental disability, or other legally protected characteristics.