Software Developer
Summary
Build low-latency trading systems and data infrastructure in C++/Java/Python, from ultra-fast strategies to real-time risk tools.
Our formula for success is simple: hire exceptional talent, empower bold thinking, and reward performance that drives impact.
As a Software Developer at DRW, you will be an integral member of a dynamic team of technologists, quantitative researchers, and traders. Collaborating closely, you will contribute across the full technology stack tackling complex problems that require careful analysis and swift execution.
We’re looking for individuals who are eager to learn, think critically, and deliver solutions that drive tangible impact. From day one, you will be entrusted with meaningful responsibility, supported by mentorship from experienced engineers, and participate in a rigorous training program designed to accelerate your growth in this role.
At DRW, you’ll thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment that values innovation, adaptability, and excellence—providing the tools and opportunities to make a direct difference.
How You Will Make an Impact:
You will design, develop, test, and deploy proprietary software that powers fundamental aspects of our business, such as:
- Design, develop, test and deploy proprietary software including:
- Trading strategy simulation software optimized for distributed computation
- Large scale data acquisition, storage, accessibility, and visualization
- Ultra-low-latency trading strategies
- Complex algorithmic trading systems
- Real time trade management and risk analysis platforms
- Low level optimizations for data processing
- Fully automated trading strategies
- Adapters for exchange protocols
- Robust inter process communication mechanisms
- Analyze and tune system performance
- Collaborate with experienced teammates to learn and implement bespoke solutions that balance speed, features, and cost to improve our technology stack
What You Bring to the Team:
You’ll join us with a strong technical foundation and the ability to collaborate effectively. Specifically, you bring:
- A degree in Computer Science, Physics, Mathematics, or a related engineering discipline, with graduation expected between December 2026 and June 2027 (Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD)
- Proficiency in modern C++, Java or Python
- Skills in multi-threading, API design and integration, data processing, and UI development
- Skills in network programming (TCP/IP), multi‐threaded applications, computational intelligence, real‐time programming or GUI programming
- A strong grasp of object-oriented design, data structures, and algorithms
- Solid programming fundamentals paired with clear logical thinking and effective communication
- The ability to clearly articulate and advocate for your ideas within a collaborative team environment
DRW is a diversified trading firm with over three decades of experience bringing together sophisticated technology and exceptional talent to operate in markets around the world. We trade using our own capital and at our own risk, giving us the autonomy to move quickly and adapt to new opportunities.
Headquartered in Chicago, with offices across the U.S., Canada, Europe, and Asia, we participate in a broad range of asset classes, including fixed income, ETFs, equities, FX, commodities, and energy—trading across all major global markets. Beyond traditional trading, we’ve extended our expertise into real estate, venture capital, and cryptoassets.
At DRW, we value respect, curiosity, and open-mindedness. We believe that how we work is just as important as what we do. Our culture is defined by high expectations, integrity, innovation, and a willingness to challenge the status quo.
The annual base salary range for this position is $225,000 depending on the candidate’s experience, qualifications, and relevant skill set. The position is also eligible for an annual discretionary bonus. In addition, DRW offers a comprehensive suite of employee benefits including group medical, pharmacy, dental and vision insurance, 401k (with discretionary employer match), short and long-term disability, life and AD&D insurance, health savings accounts, and flexible spending accounts.
For more information about DRW's processing activities and our use of job applicants' data, please view our Privacy Notice at .
California residents, please review the California Privacy Notice for information about certain legal rights at .
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Skills
As published by greenhouse · 37 questions · 4 written answers
Basics
First Name, Last Name, Email, Phone, Resume/CV, Cover Letter, Location
Short answers (7)
- Preferred First Name optional
- LinkedIn Profile optional
- Website optional
- Please provide additional detail if appropriate. optional
- Will you now or in the future require sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g. H-1B visa status)? If yes, please explain.
- Please provide visa status and expiration if applicable. optional
- Please write your github/gitlab/bitbucket account, if you have one. optional
Pick from a list (25)
- How did you hear about this job?
- Are you legally authorized to work in the United States?
- Please confirm when you will complete your university studies.
- If you selected Python as most proficient, what % of your Python development is in Jupyter Notebooks? optional
- Please rate your skill level in C++.
- In which settings have you used C++? Select all that apply.
- Please rate your skill level in Python.
- In which settings have you used Python? Select all that apply.
- In which settings have you used the Python data science stack (e.g. numpy, pandas, sclkit learn, keras, tensorflow, etc). Select all that apply
- Please rate your skill level in general purpose Python programming (language features, concurrency, standard library and popular third-party libraries excluding data science/ML)?
- Please rate your skill level in using Python for data science/ML in a professional setting.
- In which settings have you written low-level software that involved hardware (FPGA, NIC, CPU-architecture specific)? Select all that apply.
- You enjoy working on low level optimizations.
- You keep up with changes to the C++ standards.
- You like to understand how code runs on the machine at a low "bare metal" level.
- You are comfortable using debuggers (e.g. gdb) and profilers (e.g. Valgrind).
- You enjoy working closely with researchers on developing new and improved trading strategies.
- You enjoy the challenge of the high pressure work of developing and supporting live production trading systems.
- Please rate your interest in using AI to write code.
- Please rate your interest in building AI-powered tools.
- Please rate your comfort level with working with vague requirements.
- Please rate your interest level in working under high pressure on real time systems
- In which settings have you done multi-threaded programming? Select all that apply.
- You prefer to take the extra time to automate a repetitive task rather than providing a deliverable early.
- Please rate your interest level in Cloud and Big Data technologies.
Written answers (4)
- Legal First Name
- Legal Last Name
- Please rank your location preference in order of most to least preferred: Austin, Chicago, Greenwich, Houston, New York City. If you are not open to a location, do not rank it.
- Please rank your first and second preferred coding language.
Attachments (1)
- Please provide a copy of your most recent transcript from your highest degree level.