At a Glance
- Tasks: Develop innovative software solutions for fast-paced financial markets.
- Company: Join Optiver, a leading tech-driven firm in capital markets.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, 27 vacation days, and private medical insurance.
- Other info: Dynamic culture with mentorship, training, and global career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact with cutting-edge AI technology and solve exciting challenges.
- Qualifications: Degree in Computer Science or related field; coding skills in C++, Python, or Java.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
As a Graduate Software Engineer, your work is mission-critical at our firm. You will work on solutions that enable us to react to markets at lightning-fast speeds. Your work will be the magic behind the scenes, enabling our teams to make split‑second decisions with precision and confidence. By working in an interdisciplinary manner and innovating and optimising code, you will keep our firm competitive in the ever‑evolving capital markets. Optiver is building with cutting edge AI technology in the most competitive, data rich landscapes in the world: financial markets. That means no two days are the same, and every day brings new, exciting technical challenges to solve.
What you’ll do
- Onboarding: You will participate in Optiver’s comprehensive Global Academy and be equipped with the knowledge needed to make an impact the moment you join your team. The comprehensive training covers trading theory and Optiver’s tech stack to hone your skills for your role. In addition, you will be paired with a dedicated mentor who will empower you to take ownership of your work and make a difference.
Responsibilities:
- As a Graduate Software Engineer, you will work closely with best-in-class traders, researchers, risk analysts and other engineers to develop simple, well‑architected solutions that meet the needs of our business. No one day is ever the same. You will gain and develop in-depth knowledge of engineering for the capital markets. Our collective passion to solve problems makes a direct impact on our business.
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
- 27 paid vacation days plus all UK public holidays
- Daily breakfast and lunch, along with support on commuting expenses
- Private medical insurance, pension scheme, and ClassPass fitness membership
- Training and continuous learning opportunities
- International transfer opportunities for global career growth
- Competitive relocation packages and visa sponsorship where necessary for expats
Who you are
- Bachelor’s, Master’s or PhD degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering or equivalent, with outstanding academic achievements
- Graduating between August 2024 and August 2027, with a maximum of 3 years of work experience
- Passionate about clean code, simple, well‑architected systems, and continuous improvement
- Proficient in industry‑standard coding languages such as C++, Python, or Java, with a strong understanding of underlying computer architecture and system operations
- A solid grasp of algorithms, memory and concurrency models, CPU‑architecture, operating systems and relational databases
- Have an entrepreneurial attitude and an interest in the financial industry
- An analytical mindset and strong problem‑solving skills
- Able to work closely with other engineers, traders, and business operations
Diversity statement
Optiver is committed to diversity and inclusion. We encourage applications from candidates from any and all backgrounds, and we welcome requests for reasonable adjustments during the process to ensure that you can best demonstrate your abilities. Please let us know if you would like to request any reasonable adjustments by contacting the Recruitment team via the contact form, selecting “Reasonable Adjustments” as the subject of your inquiry.
Graduate Software Engineer employer: Optiver Holding BV
At Optiver, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, particularly for the Treasury Operations Specialist role in London. Our culture fosters collaboration and excellence, providing a supportive environment where you can thrive alongside talented colleagues while tackling complex challenges in financial markets. With generous benefits including a performance-based bonus structure, extensive vacation days, and opportunities for continuous learning and international career growth, you'll find meaningful and rewarding employment that aligns with your professional aspirations.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Graduate Software Engineer
✨Join Local Tech Meetups
Get out there and mingle with fellow developers by joining local tech meetups. It’s a fantastic way to meet people who might be working at Optiver Holding BV or know someone who does. Plus, you can pick up some trendy tech skills and trends while you're at it!
✨Contribute to Open Source Projects
Show off your coding chops by jumping into open-source projects. Not only does this give you practical experience, but it also gets you noticed in the dev community. You'll create a killer portfolio that speaks volumes about your skills to Optiver Holding BV.
✨Tap into Online Developer Communities
Don’t underestimate the power of online developer communities like GitHub, Stack Overflow, and even Reddit. Participate in discussions, share your projects, and build your visibility. We can often find opportunities through these channels that can lead to a full-time gig at companies like Optiver Holding BV.
✨Explore Job Boards Specifically for Tech Roles
Keep your eyes peeled on job boards that focus on tech roles. Sites like TechCareers or Stack Overflow Jobs can often have listings for companies like Optiver Holding BV that might not show up on broader job sites. Make it a habit to check these regularly, and don’t hesitate to apply directly through our website!
We think you need these skills to ace Graduate Software Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show off your coding skills:When applying for a software engineering role, it's super important to showcase your coding skills. Make sure your CV includes your tech stack, any relevant programming languages you’re comfortable with, and examples of projects you've worked on. If you have a GitHub profile, link it up! We love to see code in action.
Tailor your portfolio:For a full-time role, we’d expect to see some solid examples of your work in your portfolio. Make sure to include at least two or three projects that highlight your problem-solving skills and your ability to work with different technologies. Focus on the projects that are most relevant to the position at Optiver Holding BV.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Optiver Holding BV and how your skills align with the role. Show us your passion for software development. We dig enthusiastic candidates who understand the value of collaboration and continuous learning!
Be clear and concise:When it comes to writing your CV and cover letter, clarity is key. Avoid jargon that could confuse us and stick to simple, direct language. Highlight your achievements with quantifiable results where possible, and keep everything easy to read. A well-organised application goes a long way!
How to prepare for a job interview at Optiver Holding BV
✨Brush Up on Your Coding Skills
For a full-time software engineering role, it's crucial that we stay sharp with our coding abilities. Expect technical questions that might involve solving problems on the spot or discussing algorithms. Practise on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to get comfortable with the types of questions that often come up.
✨Know Your Tools and Frameworks
Make sure we’re well-acquainted with the tools and technologies listed in the job description. Familiarise ourselves with any specific frameworks or programming languages mentioned. If Optiver Holding BV uses React or Node.js, for instance, be ready to discuss how we’ve used them in previous projects or coursework.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Bring along a portfolio that highlights our best work. This could be code samples, GitHub repositories, or any side projects we’ve built. Make sure we can talk through our thought process for each project, especially the challenges we faced and how we solved them—this shows our problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
While technical skills are key, full-time positions also require cultural fit. Be ready to discuss our previous experiences and how we handle teamwork, conflict, and deadlines. Brush up on the STAR method—Situation, Task, Action, Result—to clearly articulate our past experiences when discussing how we've contributed to a team.
