Summer Intern - Market Risk

The Options Clearing Corporation (OCC); Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 28,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work environment

Discretionary bonus eligibility

Benefits package

Job summary

The Options Clearing Corporation (OCC) offers a Summer Internship Program in Chicago for students pursuing finance, CS, or engineering. The 12-week program runs May–August or June–September, with up to 40 hours per week in a hybrid environment.

Interns work on meaningful projects in Market Risk, build Python reports, and present results at the end of the summer. Interns gain real-world experience in financial services, collaborate across teams, and learn how a clearinghouse manages risk while

Qualifications

• Rising senior or second-year graduate student, graduating December 2027 or May/August 2028.
• Majors in Finance, Computer Science, or Engineering.
• Some experience with Python.
• Working knowledge of Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Nice to have: SQL, Bloomberg, JIRA, or Confluence.
• Basic knowledge of statistics, securities markets, and options.
• Curiosity, strong communication skills, and time management.

Responsibilities

• Learn how market risk is measured for equities, futures, options, and government securities.
• Support monitoring clearing member positions and collateral, using risk methodologies like stress testing.
• Build or improve small Python scripts and reports using large data sets.
• Follow financial markets and explain potential impacts on member portfolios.
• Collaborate with neighboring teams such as Quantitative Risk and IT.
• Help with research, data pulls, and documentation for ongoing projects.
• Present your summer project to the team.

Skills

Python

Excel

Communication

Time management

Education

Finance, Computer Science, or Engineering majors

Tools

SQL

Bloomberg

JIRA

Confluence

Job description

• INTERNS AND SEASONAL INTERNS ARE ELIGIBLE ONLY FOR PAID SICK LEAVE ACCRUED BASED ON HOURS WORKED. NO OTHER BENEFIT INCLUDING TECHNOLOGY STIPEND APPLY TO INTERNS OR SEASONAL INTERNS*****

Hybrid Work Program

OCC operates under a Hybrid Work Program which, absent an approved exception, requires employees to work from an OCC office at least 3 days per week. To maximize in–person collaboration, Tuesday and Wednesday are considered anchor days, and all employees are expected to work in the office both days. Employees meeting performance expectations are generally permitted to select 2 other days per week to work remotely if desired. When working remotely, employees are generally expected to work from the state in which they reside, absent an exception approved by Human Resources. Additionally, OCC generally does not permit employees to work while traveling internationally.

About OCC:

A World Class Clearing Organization

The Options Clearing Corporation (OCC) is the world's largest equity derivatives clearing organization. Founded in 1973, OCC is dedicated to promoting stability and market integrity by delivering clearing and settlement services for options, futures and securities lending transactions. As a Systemically Important Financial Market Utility (SIFMU), OCC operates under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. OCC has more than 100 clearing members and provides central counterparty (CCP) clearing and settlement services to 21 exchanges and trading platforms.

OCC also provides free and engaging educational resources about the benefits and risks of options through its Options Industry Council (OIC).

OCC is building a culture that empowers continued learning, authentic innovation, and constant creativity.

About the Intern Program:

OCC is looking for interns who are eager to learn, humble enough to ask questions, and ready to think critically about complex problems. The OCC Internship Program equips students with the real‑world skills needed to transition successfully into a career in financial services. As an intern, you will contribute to meaningful projects, applying your skills and knowledge to real challenges facing the business. Your time with us is a real opportunity to make a genuine impact on the future of OCC!

OCC's Summer Internship Program is a 12-week opportunity running either May through August or June through September, and is open to undergraduate and graduate students who are actively enrolled at a college or university. Interns work up to 40 hours per week in a hybrid work environment, and overtime is not permitted.

About The Team & Role

The Market Risk team monitors the risk that clearing members bring to OCC’s clearing and settlement services. As a summer intern, you’ll support the team’s daily market risk monitoring, help build Python reports and tools, and learn how a clearinghouse manages risk. You’ll work on a defined project and present your findings to the team at the end of the summer.

Job Summary & Responsibilities

• Learn how market risk is measured for the products OCC clears (equities, futures, options, and government securities)
• Support the team in monitoring clearing member positions and collateral, using OCC’s risk methodologies such as stress testing
• Build or improve small Python scripts and reports using large data sets
• Follow financial markets, including earnings and economic announcements, and share how they could affect member portfolios
• Collaborate with colleagues on neighboring teams, such as Quantitative Risk and IT
• Help with research, data pulls, and documentation for ongoing projects
• Present your summer project to the team

Candidate Qualifications

Rising senior or second‑year graduate student, graduating December 2027 or May/August 2028.

Desired Majors

• Finance, Computer Science, Engineering

Technical Skills/Experience Desired

• Some experience with Python (coursework or personal project)
• Working knowledge of Excel, Word, and PowerPoint
• Nice to have: SQL, Bloomberg, JIRA, or Confluence

Additional Qualifications

• Basic knowledge of statistics, securities markets, and options (coursework counts)
• Curiosity, strong communication skills, and the ability to manage your time and ask good questions
• Comfort working on multiple tasks with guidance from your team

About Us

The Options Clearing Corporation (OCC) is the world's largest equity derivatives clearing organization. Founded in 1973, OCC is dedicated to promoting stability and market integrity by delivering clearing and settlement services for options, futures and securities lending transactions. As a Systemically Important Financial Market Utility (SIFMU), OCC operates under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. OCC has more than 100 clearing members and provides central counterparty (CCP) clearing and settlement services to 19 exchanges and trading platforms. More information about OCC is available at www.theocc.com.

Compensation

• The salary range listed for any given position is exclusive of fringe benefits and potential bonuses. If hired at OCC, your final base salary compensation will be determined by factors such as skills, experience and/or education.
• In addition, we believe in the importance of pay equity and consider internal equity of our current team members as part of any final offer.
• We typically do not hire at the maximum of the range in order to allow for future and continued salary growth. We also offer a substantial benefits package as noted on www.theocc.com/careers
• All employees may be eligible for a discretionary bonus. Discretionary bonuses are based on various factors, including, but not limited to, company and individual performance and are not guaranteed.

Salary Range

$25.00 - $25.00

Incentive Range

This position is eligible for an annual discretionary incentive compensation award, for which the target range is listed above (see Incentive Range). The amount of such award, if any, will be based on various factors, including without limitation, both individual and company performance.

OCC is an Equal Opportunity Employer