Senior Rust Engineer – Algorithmic Trading Quant – VP

Citi • New York, NY

8d • $175,000 - $250,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The Algorithmic Trading Quant team within Citi Global Markets researches, designs, implements, and maintains equities execution algorithms and related trading products for institutional clients and internal trading desks, with a focus on North America and LATAM. The team is seeking a Senior Rust Engineer for its NAM Equities Cash Quant team. The role combines quantitative finance and systems programming, with responsibility for developing next-generation ultra-low-latency trading systems and applying AI-assisted software development practices using Large Language Models (LLMs).

Requirements

• At least 3 years of systems programming experience, with strong Rust proficiency or low-latency C++/Java experience plus substantial production Rust experience.
• Experience with concurrency, cache-friendly data structures, zero-cost abstractions, and low-latency or lock-free design.
• Practical experience with Rust memory management, lifetimes, ownership semantics, unsafe code audits, and asynchronous runtimes such as Tokio or bare-metal event loops.
• Deep understanding of algorithms, systems architecture, OS-level profiling, and performance tuning, including tools and techniques such as perf, flamegraphs, and memory-layout optimization.
• Strong understanding of US equity algorithmic trading mechanics and market microstructure.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills and ability to collaborate across quantitative research and trading desks.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced front-office environment.
• Master’s or PhD in Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, Finance, or a related quantitative field; candidates with a bachelor’s degree and a proven low-latency systems development track record may also be considered.
• Must already hold or obtain upon arrival FINRA Series 7, 57, and 63 registrations.

Nice To Haves

• Background in high-performance networking, kernel-bypass technologies, IPC, and custom binary protocols such as FIX, ITCH, OUCH, or SBE.
• Experience in an AI-integrated software development lifecycle.
• At least 3 years of experience in a financial trading environment, particularly in research and development of agency execution algorithms, smart order routing, liquidity seeking, market making, or HFT strategies.
• Experience with statistical modeling, machine learning, and time-series analytics, such as Q/KDB+, Polars, or specialized time-series databases.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, benchmark, and optimize ultra-low-latency equity trading platforms and algorithmic execution engines using Rust and, where applicable, existing low-latency Java/C++ stacks.
• Partner with quantitative researchers and business stakeholders to turn financial models, pricing signals, and execution strategies into robust, scalable, deterministic production software.
• Drive the adoption and integration of AI and LLMs in the software development lifecycle, including exploration of code generation, debugging, performance profiling, and automated testing.
• Research and analyze enhancements to existing algorithms, such as liquidity seeking and Smart Order Routing, and develop new models and short-term predictive signals.
• Analyze and process high-throughput market data, order books, execution logs, and derived real-time analytics.
• Enhance model development, backtesting, and high-fidelity market simulation frameworks.
• Partner with the Coverage desk, Technology teams, and control functions to support risk management, governance, and control infrastructure.
• Promote responsible finance, sound governance, supervision, expense discipline, and ethics.
• Follow Citi’s Code of Conduct and the Plan of Supervision for Global Markets and Securities Services, and ensure team-wide compliance.
• Obtain and maintain required regulatory registrations and licenses within the designated timeframe.
• Assess risks in business decisions, considering the firm’s reputation and safeguarding Citigroup, its clients, and assets.

Benefits

• Medical coverage
• Dental coverage
• Vision coverage
• 401(k)
• Life insurance
• Accident insurance
• Disability insurance
• Wellness programs
• Paid time off, including vacation and sick leave
• Paid holidays
• Discretionary and formulaic incentive and retention awards may be available to eligible employees

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior