Trader Summer Internship Chicago 2027 Chicago

Maven Securities; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 4,454,000 - 5,556,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free breakfast and lunch

Office in Chicago

Graduate training program

Graduate Trader pathway

Job summary

Maven Securities in Chicago offers a structured 9-week summer internship designed to teach options market making from theory to trading simulations and shadowing across desks.

Penultimate-year undergraduates or master’s students with strong numeracy and a real interest in financial markets are encouraged to apply; high performers may join the Graduate Trader Program the following year. Base salary is pro-rated for the internship.

Qualifications

• Penultimate-year undergraduate or master’s student.
• Strong numeracy skills and knowledge of probability and statistics.
• Genuine interest in financial markets and a curiosity to learn.

Responsibilities

• Learn the foundations of options market making; we don’t assume prior knowledge.
• Build your understanding of pricing, probability and risk.
• You’ll spend most of your Internship on trading simulation, with classroom-based training to prepare for this in your first 2-3 weeks.
• Use the same tools that our Traders use - or opt to build your own - and see the same trades that are currently going through in the live market.

Skills

Numeracy skills

Probability & statistics

Interest in financial markets

Willingness to adopt AI

Education

Penultimate-year undergraduate or master’s student

Job description

Maven Securities is a leading proprietary trading firm that leverages sophisticated technology and quantitative analysis to trade in global financial markets. We specialize in options and derivatives market making, where your skills can be directly applied to have a real impact.

At Maven, we believe exceptional careers are built deliberately. Our summer internship is designed for a small number of high-potential students each year, combining structured training and practical exposure. We don’t hire large classes with the expectation that only a few will succeed, we invest in every individual who joins the program.

• Location: Chicago
• Key requirements:
  
  • You must have the right to work in the region you are applying for at the time of application
  • You must be a penultimate-year undergraduate or master’s student
  • You must not have applied for any other Maven programs in this cycle

Base salary: $110k pro-rated

Join a structured 9-week training internship in our Chicago office, designed to give you a practical introduction to options market making. The program starts with options theory and progresses into trading simulation and mock trading, helping you build the core foundations of a Trader. You’ll also gain exposure to different desks through shadowing and project work.

Throughout the internship, you’ll be assessed on your performance and development. Successful interns may be considered for a place on our Graduate Trader Program the following year.

What you will be doing

• Learn the foundations of options market making; we don’t assume prior knowledge
• Build your understanding of pricing, probability and risk
• You’ll spend most of your Internship on trading simulation, with classroom-based training to prepare for this in your first 2-3 weeks
• Use the same tools that our Traders use - or opt to build your own - and see the same trades that are currently going through in the live market

How and what you will learn

• Progress through a structured internship program with clear learning milestones.
• Build your foundation through theory-led training, including options theory, delivered by Maven’s in-house trainers
• Develop practical trading skills through simulation and mock trading sessions, building your understanding of screen and broker trading
• Take part in additional sessions such as macroeconomics, technical training and desk shadowing to further develop your learning
• Receive ongoing feedback and check-ins from the Trading and Emerging Talent teams

Who you are:

Key criteria

• A penultimate year undergraduate or master’s student
• Strong numeracy skills and a solid understanding of probability and statistics
• A genuine interest in financial markets and a curiosity to learn
• A willingness to adopt and utilise emerging AI technologies

We’re looking for someone who is

• An entrepreneurial thinker with the ability to generate ideas, take initiative and drive innovation
• A critical problem solver and decision maker who can analyze situations, think clearly and make effective decisions
• An agile learner who is able to quickly acquire knowledge, take on feedback, adapt and apply insights across different contexts
• Able to synthesize information, resolve conflicting inputs, see the bigger picture, and translate complex information into actionable recommendations
• Collaborative and influential, able to build trust, work effectively with others and positively impact the team
• Results-focused and accountable, taking ownership and delivering outcomes reliably: motivated to take on risk and made decisions with uncertainty and partial information

Why Maven?

• Dedicated In-House Trainers: Learn through a training program designed and delivered by Maven’s Traders, built specifically for the Summer Trader Internship. Our tailored curriculums are led by in-house experts and clever both technical and professional skills, as well as guidance on how to adopt AI best practices, which are integral to Maven’s strategy and daily operations
• Accelerate Your Career: Maven is growing quickly and we’ll give you opportunities to learn from mistakes and try new things; your curiosity to learn is part of our growth story. Plus, as an Intern, you can jump‑start your Maven career by being considered for a full-time Graduate Trader role
• Proven Pathways: Benefit from our structured pipeline programs that set you up for success from day one. Around a quarter of our workforce joined Maven through an Emerging Talent Program, including more than 50 of our current Traders
• Supported to Succeed: We are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace where everyone can perform at your best. We offer recruitment support where needed, and employee resource groups that help build community across the firm
• Grow with Guidance: Enjoy regular feedback, structured review points, and informal off-desk chats. Everyone in our Emerging Talent Programs is also paired with a Maven buddy for practical advice and day-to-day support
• We invest in you: From the start of the internship, you’ll be immersed in a simulated trading environment and learn directly from Traders. Throughout, you’ll gain practical insight into how our desks operate and have the opportunity to demonstrate your potential for the Graduate Trader Program

Benefits at Maven

As an intern joining Maven, you’ll be eligible for a range of benefits, including:

• Free breakfast and lunch, plus snacks and drinks throughout the day
• Frequent cohort-specific and office‑wide social events, from welcome dinners and summer parties to company sports leagues and boat tours!
• Wellbeing support, including access to our Employee Assistance Program
• Wellness benefits, including free use of the building gym and ClassPass membership
• The option of either $5,000 or accommodation costs paid for by Maven for the summer
• Work in a forward‑thinking environment where AI is integral to our strategy and daily operations

Maven is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive culture for our employees. It is crucial for us to understand the demographics of our candidate pool to measure our recruitment practices. There is no requirement for any candidate to answer our demographic questions. Refusal to answer any or all questions will not subject the candidate to any adverse treatment. For candidates who complete the questionnaire, their data will be anonymised and used only in the aggregate to inform our strategy. The answers to the questionnaire will be kept confidential, separate from the application, and will not be placed in the candidate’s personnel file, if hired. The answers will not be provided to the supervisors in the employing office if the candidate is hired. Maven is an equal opportunity employer.