Software Engineer Intern (Summer 2027 - Chicago)

Optiver • Chicago, IL

15h • Onsite

About The Position

As a Software Engineer Intern, you’ll work side-by-side with your mentor and teammates to build real-world applications that power a global trading firm. Your projects will be scoped based on your team’s real needs — not hypothetical tasks — and your mentor will be fully invested in helping you build high-quality software that’s designed to last. You’ll contribute to meaningful projects solving trading problems and improving the performance, reliability, and scalability of our systems — and you’ll see your code hit production in real time.
Optiver is building with cutting edge AI technology in the most competitive, data rich landscapes in the world: financial markets. That means no two days are the same, and every day brings new, exciting technical challenges to solve.
This opportunity is also available in our Austin office — learn more and apply.
Our internship is designed for fast thinkers with a critical mindset and a drive to solve tough problems. You’ll experience what it’s like to be a full-time engineer at a leading trading firm – working on projects that push the limits of performance, efficiency, and real-world impact. Mentored by Optiver engineers, our program gives you the opportunity to:
Deep dive into trading fundamentals, from theoretical concepts to financial markets, strategies, AI-enabled tools and cutting-edge technology.
Collaborate closely with best-in-class engineers, traders, and business teams to develop, test, and ship your code to production.
Tackle complex, real-world problems to enhance your critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Push your limits and accelerate your growth in a fascinating and high-performing environment.

Requirements

• A student pursuing a bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD in Computer Science or Computer Engineering
• On track to graduate between December 2027 to June 2028, with junior standing or higher
• Passionate for writing clean code, well-architected systems, and continuous improvement
• Proficient in coding languages such as C++, Python, or Java
• A student with strong engineering instincts and a solid understanding of computer science fundamentals
• Driven by an entrepreneurial mindset and curious about how tech powers the financial industry
• A natural problem-solver with a sharp, analytical approach to tackling challenges
• A collaborative teammate comfortable working with developers, traders and business teams

Responsibilities

• Deep dive into trading fundamentals, from theoretical concepts to financial markets, strategies, AI-enabled tools and cutting-edge technology.
• Collaborate closely with best-in-class engineers, traders, and business teams to develop, test, and ship your code to production.
• Tackle complex, real-world problems to enhance your critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Push your limits and accelerate your growth in a fascinating and high-performing environment.

Benefits

• Highly-competitive internship compensation package
• Optiver-covered flights, living accommodations, and commuting stipends
• Extensive office perks, including breakfast, lunch and snacks, regular social events, clubs, sporting leagues and more

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Intern