Systematic Index Options Trader

Greenhouse Software, Inc.; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 225,000 - 275,000; Full time

Job summary

IMC Trading is seeking an Index Options Low-Latency Execution Quantitative Trader to join our team. IMC's Index Options desk leads in electronic liquidity, with a collaborative environment spanning traders, quant researchers, and developers. You will own parts of the strategy and drive production improvements across exchange types and execution methods.

The role emphasizes deep data analysis, backtesting, and strong ownership to push performance and revenue in a fast-paced market.

Qualifications

• 2+ years in low-latency index options execution and liquidity taking/providing.
• Understanding of exchange microstructure and automated trading interactions.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with ownership and bias to action.
• Ability to analyze large datasets efficiently in Python.
• Quantitative degree (math/CS/stats) with strong results.
• Strong cross-team communication across traders, researchers, and developers.

Responsibilities

• Drive revenue by improving our low-latency index options execution systems.
• Deliver high-quality analyses using options pricing, trades data, and exchange feeds.
• Analyze trade examples to understand system behavior and opportunities.
• Backtest and analyze changes to predict impact and improve performance.
• Collaborate with traders, researchers, and developers to take ideas from inception to production.
• Take ownership of a defined area of the strategy and grow into multi-month improvement plans.

Skills

Low-latency trading

Python data analysis

Exchange microstructure

Entrepreneurial mindset

Communication across teams

Quant field degree

Education

Graduate or post-graduate in quantitative field

Tools

Python

Job description

We are looking for an Index Options Low-Latency Execution Quantitative Trader to join our team. IMC's Index Options desk is one of the leading electronic liquidity providers in index options markets. Our execution team is responsible for getting IMC into the trades we want to participate in, across a range of mechanisms. Our ultra-low latency infrastructure is best-in-class, and because IMC is highly collaborative between traders, quant researchers, and developers, the scope of this role spans deep trade analysis, execution system improvement, and early ownership of a defined part of the strategy.

Your Core Responsibilities:

• Drive revenue in low-latency index options trading by building upon and improving our electronic execution systems
• Deliver high-quality analysis using a variety of datasets, including options pricing, trades data, and exchange feed
• Dive into specific trade examples to understand the behavior of our systems and those of our competitors, identify anomalies, and quantify opportunities
• Use backtesting and analysis tools to predict the impact of changes to our execution systems and continuously improve our performance
• Work collaboratively with traders, quant researchers, and developers to bring ideas from inception to production
• Take early ownership of a defined area of the strategy, for example a certain exchange or execution type, and grow into setting multi-month improvement plans

Your Skills and Experience:

• 2+ years of experience in low-latency index options execution, including liquidity providing and taking
• Strong understanding of exchange microstructure and how automated trading systems interact with exchanges
• Entrepreneurial mindset with a competitive nature, strong ownership mentality, and a bias toward action
• Ability to perform efficient analysis on large datasets in Python
• Preference for relevant tertiary qualifications (graduate or post-graduate) in a quantitative field: mathematics, computer science, statistics, or similar, with strong academic results
• Strong communicator, able to collaborate effectively across trading, research, and development teams

The Base Salary range for the role is included below. Base salary is only one component of total compensation; all full-time, permanent positions are eligible for a discretionary bonus and benefits, including paid leave and insurance.Please visit Benefits - US | IMC Trading for more comprehensive information.

Salary Range

$250,000 - $250,000 USD

About Us

IMC is a research-driven trading firm where quantitative modeling, machine learning, and engineering shape how modern markets are traded. A stabilizing force in markets since 1989, we provide liquidity across trading venues, delivering the best outcome in value and risk management to investors. Using our own technology and capital, we build proprietary systems and algorithms that operate across global markets. Our researchers, traders, and engineers work as a collective, combining rapid experimentation, advanced infrastructure, and real-time feedback to turn insight into execution and execution into advantage.

IMC is an equal opportunity employer. IMC prohibits discrimination of any type and affords equal employment opportunities to applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, national origin, age, disability, military or veteran status, status as a victim of domestic violence, and/or any other categories protected by applicable federal, state or local law. Completion of this section is voluntary and will not affect your opportunity for employment or the terms or conditions of your employment. The data collected from these questions will be stored separately from your individual application and will be kept confidential.