Experienced Options Trader - SOFR

Akuna Capital•Chicago, IL

18h•Onsite

About The Position

Akuna Capital is an innovative trading firm focused on collaboration, cutting-edge technology, data-driven solutions, and automation. We specialize in providing liquidity as an options market-maker. To succeed, we design and implement our own low-latency technologies, trading strategies, and mathematical models. Akuna was founded in Sydney and has offices in Chicago, Sydney, Shanghai, London, and Singapore. We are seeking an experienced electronic options trader to join our SOFR desk. This is a mid-to-senior level role with a clear path to full desk ownership for the right candidate. You will be responsible for making markets and managing risk across CME SOFR options while collaborating with our floor team to maximize profitability. You will work at the intersection of trading, technology, and quantitative research. Akuna’s SOFR desk combines systematic pricing infrastructure with trader judgment – you’ll be expected to manage your positions decisively while actively contributing to the automation and tooling that drives the desk’s edge forward. This is a role for someone who takes genuine ownership, brings intellectual curiosity to every aspect of the business, and thrives in a high-performance, collaborative environment.

Requirements

2+ years of experience trading SOFR, Eurodollar, or short-term interest rate options in an electronic market making environment, with clear P&L accountability
Deep understanding of options theory – Greeks, vol surface construction, term structure dynamics, and interest rate curve relationships
Proven risk management discipline: comfortable managing positions under pressure and across varied market regimes
Entrepreneurial self-starter who takes initiative and acts decisively, with a strong sense of ownership over their book and their desk’s performance
Technically engaged: able to analyze data, optimize parameters, and work hands-on with trading systems.
Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Economics, Statistics, Mathematics, Computer Science, Actuarial Science, or a related quantitative field
Strong quantitative and analytical instincts, with the ability to react quickly and accurately to rapidly changing market conditions
Collaborative mindset: able to communicate clearly and efficiently with quant researchers, technologists, and risk managers while fostering productive relationships across the firm
Detail-oriented and rigorous in approach, with a drive to continuously learn and improve
The ability to react quickly and accurately to rapidly changing market conditions, including the ability to quickly and accurately respond and/or solve math and coding problems are essential functions of the role

Nice To Haves

Specific experience with CME SR3 market microstructure and electronic liquidity provision
Familiarity with swap curve dynamics, OIS, Fed Funds, or broader fixed income context
Experience building or improving trading tools, pricing models, or automation in Python, C++, or similar
Track record of mentorship

Responsibilities

Profitably manage a SOFR options portfolio with full responsibility for P&L and dynamic risk management within prescribed limits
Make two-sided markets across the SOFR options complex (SR3, S0, S2), maintaining disciplined risk across the curve
Develop and refine volatility surface models, term structure analysis, and hedging strategies in close collaboration with our quant and technology teams
Identify structural opportunities and flow-driven inefficiencies in the short-end rates market and act on them decisively
Partner with our technology team to evaluate, improve, and expand the automated trading infrastructure underpinning the desk – including contributing directly to strategy logic, parameter optimization, and signal development
Analyze desk data and market microstructure to continuously improve pricing, execution quality, and risk-adjusted returns
Contribute to the broader Akuna trading community through cross-desk collaboration, knowledge sharing, and mentorship of junior traders