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Optiver

Trading Operations Engineer

Optiver · Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands

  • On site
  • Full-time
  • $110,000 / year
  • Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands

Job highlights

  • Maintain and scale low-latency trading systems.
  • Support traders, development, and operations teams.
  • Deploy, monitor, and optimize trading infrastructure.
  • Enhance reliability, performance, and automation.
  • Troubleshoot complex issues in fast-paced environment.

About the role

Trading Operations Engineer

The Trading Operations Production Support Engineering team is responsible for maintaining and scaling Optiver’s low-latency trading systems. The team ensures a safe, stable, and efficient production environment while supporting profitability and sustainable growth across various regions. Collaborating closely with traders, development, and operational teams, the engineer will deploy, monitor, troubleshoot, and optimize our trading infrastructure to enhance reliability, performance, and automation.

What You'll Do

  • Provide technical expertise and support to high-frequency trading floors, troubleshooting complex issues and resolving incidents in a fast-paced, dynamic setting.
  • Deploy, maintain, and monitor proprietary trading applications, ensuring stability and performance in the trading environment.
  • Review and analyze incidents to identify recurring themes, driving improvements to enhance automation and operational efficiency.
  • Coordinate deployments of new trading products, systems, and exchanges, ensuring readiness for events such as corporate actions or special announcements.
  • Architect and maintain services to maximize reliability, ensuring the trading systems operate within performance thresholds.
  • Collaborate with development teams to establish best practices and ensure the long-term stability of production systems, even under extreme conditions.
  • Set standards for system configuration and deployment to minimize risks and support smooth scaling.
  • Manage the colocation to ensure the right level of redundancy and capacity for growth is available.
  • Automate system management processes, while maintaining control over critical operations.

Who You Are

Technical Skills

  • Solid experience managing complex distributed systems in Linux environments (L2/L3 support), with a strong understanding of networking fundamentals, build, deployment, and version control systems.
  • Proficiency with CI/CD tooling and scripting in Python or similar languages to automate tasks.
  • Experience with relational databases (e.g., PostgreSQL) or other database systems.
  • Demonstrated ability to drive system improvements and work across global teams to deliver changes.

Non-Technical Skills

  • A collaborative team player with a positive attitude, capable of coordinating effectively across departments.
  • A pragmatic and logical thinker who thrives under pressure in high-intensity environments, with strong troubleshooting skills and the ability to resolve incidents efficiently.
  • Effective communicator, able to clearly explain technical concepts and ask insightful questions.
  • Highly organized, able to manage multiple responsibilities while keeping stakeholders informed.
  • Passionate about technology, curious about the interaction between hardware and software, and driven to learn and grow by embracing frequent change.
  • Prior experience in high-frequency trading environments is a plus, but not required.

No prior trading or financial experience is needed – our onboarding program will kick-start your career at Optiver and support you in gaining all the relevant knowledge about our business.

Who We Are

At Optiver, our mission is to constantly improve the market by injecting liquidity, providing accurate pricing, increasing transparency and acting as a stabilizing force no matter the market conditions. With a focus on continuous improvement, we participate in the safeguarding of healthy and efficient markets for everyone who participates. As one of the largest market making institutions, we are a trusted partner of 70+ exchanges across the globe.

What You'll Get

You’ll join a culture of collaboration and excellence, where you’ll be surrounded by curious thinkers and creative problem solvers. Motivated by a passion for continuous improvement, you’ll thrive in a supportive, high-performing environment alongside talented colleagues, working collectively to tackle the toughest problems in the financial markets.

In addition, you’ll receive:

  • A performance-based bonus structure, enabling all of our employees to benefit from our global profit pool.
  • The opportunity to work alongside best-in-class professionals from over 50 different countries.
  • 25 paid vacation days in your first year, increasing to 30 from your second year onwards.
  • Training opportunities, discounts on health insurance, and fully paid first-class commuting expenses.
  • Extensive office perks, including breakfast, lunch and dinner, world-class barista coffee, in-house physio and chair massages, organized sports and leisure activities, and Friday afternoon drinks.
  • Training and continuous learning opportunities, including access to conferences and tech events.

How To Apply

Are you interested in furthering your career on one of the most dynamic and exciting trading floors in Europe?

Apply directly via the form below for the position of Trading Operations Engineer. If you have any questions feel free to contact our Recruiter team via recruitment inquiry form.

Please note:

  • We cannot accept applications via email for data protection reasons.
  • We do not require any assistance from third-parties including agencies in the recruitment of this role

Diversity statement

Optiver is committed to diversity and inclusion.

Key skills/competency

  • Trading Operations Engineer
  • Linux Systems
  • High-Frequency Trading
  • Distributed Systems
  • Networking Fundamentals
  • CI/CD
  • Python Scripting
  • Database Management
  • System Optimization
  • Production Support

Skills & topics

  • Trading Operations Engineer
  • Linux
  • Distributed Systems
  • Production Support
  • High-Frequency Trading
  • CI/CD
  • Python
  • Networking
  • System Administration
  • Technical Support

How to get hired

  • Tailor your resume: Highlight Linux, distributed systems, networking, and CI/CD experience.
  • Showcase problem-solving: Emphasize troubleshooting skills and experience in high-pressure environments.
  • Demonstrate collaboration: Provide examples of working effectively across global teams.
  • Prepare for technical questions: Review distributed systems, networking, and scripting concepts.
  • Express passion for tech: Convey curiosity and drive for continuous learning.

Technical preparation

Master Linux command line and system administration.,Deepen understanding of distributed systems concepts.,Practice Python scripting for automation tasks.,Review networking fundamentals: TCP/IP, DNS, firewalls.

Behavioral questions

Describe a complex system failure you resolved.,How do you handle pressure in critical situations?,Give an example of cross-team collaboration.,How do you prioritize multiple urgent tasks?

Frequently asked questions

What are the typical working hours for a Trading Operations Engineer at Optiver?
While specific hours can vary due to the 24/7 nature of trading, this role often involves shifts to ensure continuous support for the trading floors. Expect a dynamic schedule that may include on-call rotations. Optiver aims to balance operational needs with employee well-being, and details will be discussed during the interview process.
What kind of career growth can I expect as a Trading Operations Engineer at Optiver?
Optiver offers significant career development opportunities. As a Trading Operations Engineer, you can progress into more senior engineering roles, specialize in specific areas like performance optimization or automation, or even move into team lead or management positions within the operations or development teams.
Is prior experience in financial markets or trading necessary for the Trading Operations Engineer role?
No, prior trading or financial experience is not required. Optiver provides a comprehensive onboarding program designed to equip you with all the necessary knowledge about the financial markets and our business. Your technical skills are the primary focus.
What are the key technical skills sought for the Trading Operations Engineer position?
Key technical skills include strong experience with Linux environments (L2/L3 support), understanding of distributed systems, networking fundamentals, build/deployment tools, version control, CI/CD, Python scripting, and experience with relational databases like PostgreSQL.
How does Optiver support continuous learning for its Trading Operations Engineers?
Optiver strongly supports continuous learning through access to conferences, tech events, and internal training opportunities. You'll be encouraged to expand your knowledge and stay updated with the latest technologies and industry trends.
What is the team culture like for the Trading Operations Production Support Engineering team at Optiver?
The team culture at Optiver is highly collaborative and focused on excellence. You'll work alongside curious, creative problem-solvers who are passionate about continuous improvement. It's a supportive, high-performing environment where teamwork is essential to tackle complex challenges.
Can I apply for the Trading Operations Engineer role at Optiver if I have limited experience with high-frequency trading?
Yes, prior experience in high-frequency trading is a plus but not required. Optiver values strong technical fundamentals and provides the necessary training to get you up to speed on the specifics of the trading environment.
What are the benefits of working as a Trading Operations Engineer at Optiver beyond salary?
Beyond a competitive salary and performance-based bonus, Optiver offers comprehensive benefits including extensive office perks (meals, coffee, wellness services), generous paid time off, opportunities to work with international colleagues, and continuous training and development.