
C++ Senior Engineer - Market Data
Chicago Trading Company · Chicago, IL
- On site
- Full-time
- $250,000 / year
- Chicago, IL
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Subject: Interested in the C++ Senior Engineer - Market Data role at Chicago Trading Company
Hi Dana — I came across the C++ Senior Engineer - Market Data opening and wanted to reach out directly. I've spent the last few years doing exactly this kind of work, and Chicago Trading Company stood out because…
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Job highlights
- Build high-performance, low-latency C++ systems.
- Process real-time global market data.
- Collaborate with traders and technologists.
- Ensure software engineering best practices.
- Maintain competitive edge in trading.
About the role
About Chicago Trading Company
Chicago Trading Company (CTC) is a premier proprietary trading firm specializing in options market making. Our collaborative culture fuels innovation in quantitative research, systematic trading strategies, and cutting-edge trading technology. For over three decades CTC has provided critical liquidity across derivatives exchanges worldwide - making them fairer, more transparent, and more efficient.
We strive to be the most innovative firm in the industry today, tomorrow, and long into the future while upholding ethical excellence. We believe that CTC makes a positive impact on the markets, the lives of our employees, and all the communities to which we belong. Started in 1995 by a team of forward-thinking Traders, we are proud to call ourselves an industry leader that keeps making markets and each other better.
About the Role: Senior Engineer - Market Data
As a Senior Engineer on the Market Data team, you will play a pivotal role in ensuring reliable and fast delivery of the market data that is foundational to our trading systems. You will build high-performance libraries and services that process vast amounts of real-time data from financial venues across the world—data that all of our trading systems depend on to make critical decisions in the timeframe of microseconds to nanoseconds. Your work will be foundational to every trading strategy we run, and your contributions will be essential to maintaining CTC's competitive edge in this fast-paced trading environment.
What You'll Do
- Design and build high-performance, low-latency libraries and services that power our global trading platform.
- Work closely with traders, quants, and technologists to drive ideas from inception to production in a timely and robust manner.
- Partner closely with other teams such as execution, low-latency, and hardware to design and deliver solutions for our next-generation market data platform.
- Ensure operational safety and uphold the highest standards of software engineering by thoroughly testing code, following a coherent and maintainable design and architecture, and adhering to best practices—prioritizing carefully planned, well-structured solutions over ad hoc implementations.
What We're Looking For
- A minimum of 5 years of experience working in a production environment using modern C++.
- Experience with low-latency feed handler development, market data protocols (e.g., MDP3, ITCH).
- Deep knowledge of low-level systems programming, optimization, and hardware/software co-design.
- Strong fundamentals in computer architecture and networking protocols.
- Experience writing multithreaded and distributed systems with an affinity for delivering clean, performant code.
- Ability to quickly triage issues and drive the resolution effort through completion.
- Experience working at a high-frequency trading firm is preferred.
Compensation and Benefits
The salary range for this role is $225,000—$250,000 USD. This role is also eligible for an annual discretionary bonus. The discretionary bonus will be dependent upon the individual’s skills, experience, qualifications, and firm performance.
Most teams at CTC, with the exception of Trading, follow a hybrid workplace model, subject to change based on business need.
We strongly believe in the well-being of our employees and their families, so we offer outstanding benefits to support you both professionally and personally. These benefits include generous time off, insurance coverage, paid parental leave, free breakfast and lunch (plus healthy snacks, of course), wellness reimbursement, and a variety of other benefits focused on providing the best employee experience. (Disclaimer: interns and contractors are not eligible for benefits at CTC)
Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
At CTC, we aim to cultivate a workplace that celebrates diversity and where each person feels included, engaged, and empowered. We are committed to having a diverse workforce and are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. CTC does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform crucial job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment.
If you have a disability and believe you need a reasonable accommodation in order to search for a job opening or to apply for a position, please contact us at info@chicagotrading.com. Note that emails sent to this email account for non-disability related issues, such as following up on an application, will not receive a response.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Information submitted by job applicants may be subject to review and analysis by automated systems, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), as part of the recruitment process. Such systems are utilized to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of our hiring procedures. Applicants are advised that any information provided may be evaluated by AI tools to ensure an equitable and thorough assessment.
Key skills/competency
- C++
- Market Data
- Low-latency
- Feed Handler Development
- Systems Programming
- Computer Architecture
- Networking Protocols
- Multithreaded Systems
- Distributed Systems
- High-Frequency Trading
Skills & topics
- C++
- Senior Engineer
- Market Data
- Low Latency
- Feed Handler
- Systems Programming
- HFT
- Trading Technology
- Software Engineering
- Real-time Data
How to get hired
- Tailor your resume: Highlight C++ experience, low-latency systems, and market data protocols relevant to CTC.
- Showcase achievements: Quantify your impact in previous production environments, especially in HFT.
- Prepare for technical interviews: Expect deep dives into C++, systems programming, and computer architecture.
- Understand the business: Research CTC's role in options market making and their technology focus.
- Demonstrate problem-solving: Be ready to discuss how you triage and resolve complex technical issues.
Technical preparation
Behavioral questions
Frequently asked questions
- What is the work arrangement for the C++ Senior Engineer Market Data role at Chicago Trading Company?
- The C++ Senior Engineer Market Data role at Chicago Trading Company follows a hybrid workplace model. This means you will be expected to work from the office some days and remotely on others, with flexibility based on business needs, excluding the Trading team.
- What specific market data protocols are important for the C++ Senior Engineer Market Data position?
- For the C++ Senior Engineer Market Data role, experience with market data protocols such as MDP3 and ITCH is highly valued. Proficiency in these will be crucial for developing and optimizing the real-time data processing systems.
- What level of C++ expertise is required for the Senior Engineer Market Data job at CTC?
- Chicago Trading Company requires a minimum of 5 years of experience working in a production environment using modern C++ for this Senior Engineer role. A strong understanding of low-level systems programming, optimization, and hardware/software co-design is also essential.
- Does Chicago Trading Company use AI in its hiring process for the C++ Senior Engineer Market Data role?
- Yes, Chicago Trading Company may use automated systems, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), to review and analyze information submitted by job applicants. This is done to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of their hiring procedures for roles like the C++ Senior Engineer Market Data.
- What kind of trading experience is preferred for the Senior Engineer Market Data role at CTC?
- Experience working at a high-frequency trading (HFT) firm is preferred for the Senior Engineer Market Data position at Chicago Trading Company. This background is valuable due to the critical nature of low-latency, real-time data processing in such environments.
- What are the key technical skills for the C++ Senior Engineer Market Data role?
- Key technical skills for the C++ Senior Engineer Market Data role include modern C++, low-latency feed handler development, understanding of market data protocols (MDP3, ITCH), low-level systems programming, optimization, computer architecture, networking, and experience with multithreaded and distributed systems.
- What is the salary range for the C++ Senior Engineer Market Data position at Chicago Trading Company?
- The salary range for the C++ Senior Engineer Market Data position at Chicago Trading Company is $225,000 to $250,000 USD annually. This role is also eligible for an annual discretionary bonus.
