Quantitative Trader Intern (Summer 2026 - Chicago)

As a Quantitative Trader Intern at Optiver, you'll spend your summer embedded in the fast-paced environment of our trading floor, learning from industry experts. Through a blend of in-depth education sessions, simulated trading that replicates real market conditions, and an impactful research project, you'll gain deep insight into how markets move and how traders think. You'll test your ideas, sharpen your decision-making, and collaborate with peers and mentors to solve real market challenges. By the end of the 10-week internship, you'll be equipped with the foundational skills and knowledge required to succeed as a Quantitative Trader at a top global trading firm. What you'll do: Our internship, which demands quick thinking, a critical mindset, and decisive action, offers one of the closest experiences to real trading you can get. Led by a team of former Optiver traders, our in-house education program gives you the opportunity to: Deep dive into trading fundamentals, from theoretical concepts to financial markets, trading strategies, and cutting-edge technology. Develop your trading skills and strategies in a realistic, simulated trading environment that closely replicates live markets. Learn directly from experienced traders, gaining exposure to various trading desks and experiencing the financial markets first-hand. Push your limits and accelerate your growth in a fascinating and high-performing environment.

At Optiver, our mission is to improve the market by injecting liquidity, providing accurate pricing, increasing transparency and stabilising the market no matter the conditions. With a focus on continuous improvement, we prioritise safeguarding the health and efficiency of the markets for all participants. As one of the largest market making institutions, we are a respected partner on 100+ exchanges across the globe.