Staff Software Engineer, Execution

OverviewWHO WE AREHeadquartered in the historic Chicago Board of Trade, PEAK6 Capital Management is a proprietary options trading firm that has been defining the industry for more than 25 years. We provide liquidity to the options market with a focus on financial acumen, risk management, and cutting-edge technology. Our success comes from a team of technologists, engineers, and traders who leverage proprietary tech and a data-centric approach to maintain inventory and stay ahead of the markets, so customers can, too. We are committed to providing dependable liquidity, which is crucial for market stability, investor confidence, and efficient trading across asset classes.ABOUT THIS ROLEAs a Staff Software Engineer, you will design and build critical components of our trading infrastructure, optimize market execution systems, and collaborate with traders to enhance algorithm performance. You will work on complex systems ranging from market data processing to algorithmic trade execution while mentoring junior engineers. Staff Software Engineers regularly lead technical initiatives, participate in architecture discussions, and drive improvements across our trading technology stack to ensure performance and reliability in fast-paced market environments.ResponsibilitiesDesign and develop high-performance market execution systems for options and equities trading.Define, optimize, and enhance trading algorithms to improve execution quality and efficiency.Configure and maintain FIX gateway systems, ensuring reliable connectivity to exchanges and counterparties.Lead technical initiatives and contribute to architectural decisions for critical trading systems.Maintain and expand the team’s operational excellence.Collaborate with product owners, traders, quantitative analysts, and operations teams to understand requirements and implement effective solutions.Mentor Software Engineers I and II, providing technical guidance and code reviews.Troubleshoot production issues with urgency and precision.Monitor system performance and identify opportunities for optimization.Contribute to continuous integration and delivery processes.Drive improvements in system stability, scalability, and performance.Participate in creation and evolution of Operational Excellence for our Execution systems.Your Experience7+ years of software engineering experience, with at least 2 years in the trading or finance industry.A strong desire to work with a team. Lone wolves need not apply.Strong ability to communicate effectively with traders on multiple fronts:Translating business requirements into technical solutions.Troubleshooting complex trading issues.Understanding the business value of systems being developed.Questioning assumptions to ensure optimal solutions, and explaining technical concepts in accessible terms.Strong proficiency in Java and Python.C++ experience is a big bonus.Experience with market execution systems, preferably in the equity and index options space.Knowledge of FIX protocol and experience configuring FIX gateways.Familiarity with trading algorithms and execution strategies.Experience with distributed systems and high-throughput applications.Strong understanding of data structures, algorithms, and system design.Ability to optimize applications for low-latency and high-throughput performance.Experience with Linux environments and cloud-native technologies.FINRA Series 57 license or ability to obtain within the first 60 days of employment.Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field.Excellent problem-solving skills with high attention to detail.Strong communication skills and ability to collaborate effectively across teams.Demonstrated leadership in technical projects and mentoring junior engineers.Our RewardsWe offer a robust package of employee perks and benefits, including healthcare benefits (medical, dental and vision, EAP), competitive PTO, 401k match, parental leave, and HSA contribution match. We provide a paid Calm app subscription and generous external learning and tuition reimbursement. As a hybrid workforce, you may work remotely up to two days a week.Base pay offered may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and office location. This position may be eligible for a discretionary annual bonus and a range of health and wellness benefits.Base Salary RangeBase salary is position-specific and may vary.EEO and AccommodationsPEAK6 is proud to be an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, or any other protected characteristic. We ensure fair consideration for all qualified applicants. We are committed to an inclusive and accessible workplace and provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities during the application process. If you require accommodations, please contact our HR department at . #J-18808-Ljbffr

Created: 2025-09-21