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About the role
<p><strong><span data-contrast="none">Senior Trading Automation Specialist</span></strong><span data-ccp-props="{"335559739":120}"> </span></p>
<p><strong><span data-contrast="none"><span data-ccp-parastyle="heading 2">About the Role</span></span></strong></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Optiver is seeking a Senior Trading Automation Specialist to join the team responsible for the daily operations, automation, and continuous improvement of our market making activity in Chicago. This is a high-impact role that sits at the intersection of trading, technology, and operational excellence.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335559739":120}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">You will drive the strategic vision for how we scale our operations through automation, ensure the integrity and reliability of our core market making systems and strategies, and serve as a key partner to traders, researchers, and engineers across the firm. You will be expected to take full ownership of critical workstreams and deliver results with minimal oversight.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335559739":120}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">This role requires someone who can operate at both a strategic and tactical level — comfortable shaping the long-term roadmap for trading automation while also rolling up their sleeves to solve problems in real time on the trading floor.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335559739":120}"> </span></p>
<p><strong><span data-contrast="none"><span data-ccp-parastyle="heading 2">What You'll Do</span></span></strong><span data-ccp-props="{"134245418":true,"134245529":true,"335559738":200,"335559739":0}"> </span></p>
<p><strong><span data-contrast="none"><span data-ccp-parastyle="heading 3">Automation & Strategic Improvement</span></span></strong><span data-ccp-props="{"134245418":true,"134245529":true,"335559738":200,"335559739":0}"> </span></p>
<ul>
<li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="5" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":360,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"singleLevel"}" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="auto"><span data-ccp-parastyle="List Bullet">Define</span><span data-ccp-parastyle="List Bullet">, </span><span data-ccp-parastyle="List Bullet">drive</span><span data-ccp-parastyle="List Bullet"> and implement</span><span data-ccp-parastyle="List Bullet"> the automation roadmap for trading, </span><span data-ccp-parastyle="List Bullet">identifying</span><span data-ccp-parastyle="List Bullet"> high-impact opportunities to </span><span data-ccp-parastyle="List Bullet">eliminate</span><span data-ccp-parastyle="List Bullet"> manual processes and scale the business</span></span></li>
<li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="5" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":360,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"singleLevel"}" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1"><span data-ccp-parastyle="List Bullet">Design, implement, and </span><span data-ccp-parastyle="List Bullet">maintain</span><span data-ccp-parastyle="List Bullet"> automated workflows, data pipelines, and reporting infrastructure</span></li>
<li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="5" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":360,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"singleLevel"}" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1"><span data-ccp-parastyle="List Bullet">Collaborate with Quantitative Traders, Quantitative Researchers, and Software Engineers to translate operational insights into system improvements</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335559739":120}"> </span></li>
</ul>
<p><strong><span data-contrast="none"><span data-ccp-parastyle="heading 3">Operational Excellence</span></span></strong><span data-ccp-props="{"134245418":true,"134245529":true,"335559738":200,"335559739":0}"> </span></p>
<ul>
<li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="5" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":360,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"singleLevel"}" data-aria-posinset="4" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="auto"><span data-ccp-parastyle="List Bullet">Act as an escalation point for critical operational decisions and incidents</span></span></li>
<li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="5" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":360,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"singleLevel"}" data-aria-posinset="4" data-aria-level="1"><span data-ccp-parastyle="List Bullet">Lead post-mortem processes, driving root-cause analysis and preventive measures</span></li>
<li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="5" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":360,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"singleLevel"}" data-aria-posinset="4" data-aria-level="1"><span data-ccp-parastyle="List Bullet">Own end-to-end reliability of core trading automation systems</span></li>
<li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="5" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":360,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"singleLevel"}" data-aria-posinset="4" data-aria-level="1"><span data-ccp-parastyle="List Bullet">Identify</span><span data-ccp-parastyle="List Bullet"> and resolve operational risks proactively</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335559739":120}"> </span></li>
</ul>
<p><strong><span data-contrast="none"><span data-ccp-parastyle="heading 2">What You'll Get</span></span></strong><span data-ccp-props="{"134245418":true,"134245529":true,"335559738":200,"335559739":0}"> </span></p>
<ul>
<li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="13" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559683":0,"335559684":-2,"335559685":360,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="none">The opportunity to work alongside best-in-class professionals from over 40 different countries</span></li>
<li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="13" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559683":0,"335559684":-2,"335559685":360,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1">A highly competitive compensation package</li>
<li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="13" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559683":0,"335559684":-2,"335559685":360,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1">Global profit-sharing pool and performance-based bonus structure</li>
<li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="13" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559683":0,"335559684":-2,"335559685":360,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1">401(k) match up to 50%</li>
<li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="13" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559683":0,"335559684":-2,"335559685":360,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1">Comprehensive health, mental, dental, vision, disability, and life coverage</li>
<li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="13" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559683":0,"335559684":-2,"335559685":360,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1">25 paid vacation days alongside market holidays</li>
<li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="13" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559683":0,"335559684":-2,"335559685":360,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1">Extensive office perks, including breakfast, lunch and snacks, regular social events, clubs, sporting leagues and more<span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335551550":0,"335551620":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":0}"> </span></li>
</ul>
<p><strong><span data-contrast="none"><span data-ccp-parastyle="heading 2">Who You Are</span></span></strong><span data-ccp-props="{"134245418":true,"134245529":true,"335559738":200,"335559739":0}"> </span></p>
<p><strong><span data-contrast="none"><span data-ccp-parastyle="heading 3">Required</span></span></strong><span data-ccp-props="{"134245418":true,"134245529":true,"335559738":200,"335559739":0}"> </span></p>
<ul>
<li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="5" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":360,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"singleLevel"}" data-aria-posinset="8" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="auto"><span data-ccp-parastyle="List Bullet">5</span><span data-ccp-parastyle="List Bullet">+</span><span data-ccp-parastyle="List Bullet"> years of experience in trading operations, trading technology, quantitative finance, or a closely related field</span></span></li>
<li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="5" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":360,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"singleLevel"}" data-aria-posinset="8" data-aria-level="1"><span data-ccp-parastyle="List Bullet">Bachelor’s degree in a STEM field (Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, or related); advanced degree preferred</span></li>
<li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="5" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":360,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"singleLevel"}" data-aria-posinset="8" data-aria-level="1"><span data-ccp-parastyle="List Bullet">Strong programming skills in Python, SQL, or similar languages, with </span><span data-ccp-parastyle="List Bullet">a track record</span><span data-ccp-parastyle="List Bullet"> of building automation and tooling</span></li>
<li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="5" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":360,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"singleLevel"}" data-aria-posinset="8" data-aria-level="1"><span data-ccp-parastyle="List Bullet">Deep understanding of electronic trading systems, market microstructure, and the operational mechanics of market making</span></li>
<li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="5" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":360,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"singleLevel"}" data-aria-posinset="8" data-aria-level="1"><span data-ccp-parastyle="List Bullet">Excellent analytical, quantitative, and problem-solving abilities</span></li>
<li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="5" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":360,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"singleLevel"}" data-aria-posinset="8" data-aria-level="1"><span data-ccp-parastyle="List Bullet">Outstanding communication skills with the ability to influence stakeholders across trading, technology, and risk functions</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335559739":120}"> </span></li>
</ul>
<p><strong><span data-contrast="none"><span data-ccp-parastyle="heading 3">Preferred</span></span></strong><span data-ccp-props="{"134245418":true,"134245529":true,"335559738":200,"335559739":0}"> </span></p>
<ul>
<li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="5" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":360,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"singleLevel"}" data-aria-posinset="14" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="auto"><span data-ccp-parastyle="List Bullet">Demonstrated leadership experience, including mentoring team members and driving cross-functional initiatives in a fast-paced environment </span></span></li>
<li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="5" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":360,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"singleLevel"}" data-aria-posinset="14" data-aria-level="1"><span data-ccp-parastyle="List Bullet">Experience at a market making firm, proprietary trading firm, or quantitative hedge fund</span></li>
<li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="5" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":360,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"singleLevel"}" data-aria-posinset="14" data-aria-level="1"><span data-ccp-parastyle="List Bullet">Track record</span><span data-ccp-parastyle="List Bullet"> of driving large-scale process automation or operational transformation initiatives</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335559739":120}"> </span></li>
</ul>
<p><strong><span data-contrast="none"><span data-ccp-parastyle="heading 2">Who We Are</span></span></strong><span data-ccp-props="{"134245418":true,"134245529":true,"335559738":200,"335559739":0}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">Optiver is a tech-driven trading firm and leading global market maker. As one of the oldest market making institutions, we are a trusted partner of 70+ exchanges across the globe. Our mission is to constantly improve the market by injecting liquidity, providing accurate pricing, increasing transparency and acting as a stabilising force no matter the market conditions. With a focus on continuous improvement, we participate in the safeguarding of healthy and efficient markets for everyone who participates.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335551550":0,"335551620":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":480}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">Optiver Chicago’s culture parallels the energetic city we’re immersed in. Home to the Chicago Board of Trade, Chicago Board Options Exchange, and Chicago Mercantile Exchange, Chicago has established itself as the trading capital of the US. Active on leading US exchanges, Optiver’s Chicago office trades a wide range of products from listed derivatives to cash equities, ETFs, bonds and foreign exchange.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335551550":0,"335551620":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":480}"> </span></p>
<p><em><span data-contrast="none">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.</span></em> <span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335551550":0,"335551620":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":480}"> </span></p><div class="content-pay-transparency"><div class="pay-input"><div class="description"><p> </p>
<p data-prosemirror-content-type="node" data-prosemirror-node-name="paragraph" data-prosemirror-node-block="true" data-pm-slice="1 1 []"><em data-prosemirror-content-type="mark" data-prosemirror-mark-name="em">Below is the expected base salary for this position. This is a good-faith estimate of the base pay scale for this position and offers will ultimately be determined based on experience, education, skill set, and performance in the interview process. This position will also be eligible for a discretionary bonus (if determined by Optiver) and Optiver’s benefits package with the benefits listed above. </em></p>
<p> </p></div><div class="title">Base Salary Range</div><div class="pay-range"><span>$200,000</span><span class="divider">—</span><span>$200,000 USD</span></div></div></div>
Perks & benefits
- 401k
- Paid Time Off
- Pension Matching
- Profit Sharing
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