Software Engineer Internship (2027 Start) in London

Software Engineer Internship (2027 Start) in London

London Internship 22500 - 27500 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
Optiver

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Build software for real-time trading with guidance from experienced engineers.
  • Company: Join Optiver, a leader in financial technology and innovation.
  • Benefits: Competitive pay, accommodation, office perks, and social activities.
  • Other info: Potential full-time offer based on performance; diverse and inclusive workplace.
  • Why this job: Tackle exciting challenges in a dynamic environment and make a real impact.
  • Qualifications: Penultimate-year student in Computer Science or related field, proficient in coding languages.

The predicted salary is between 22500 - 27500 £ per year.

As a Software Engineering Intern, you will work side-by-side with your mentor and teammates to build software for Optiver’s real-time trading environment. You will work on projects that further develop and optimize our systems, testing and shipping code with guidance from experienced engineers and seeing how your work performs in production. In our business, where markets are always evolving, each day brings new engineering problems shaped by live conditions, performance requirements and system reliability. 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

  • Build a strong foundation in trading fundamentals, from theoretical concepts and financial markets to strategies and the technology that supports them.
  • Work closely with senior engineers and traders to design, develop, test, and ship your code to production.
  • Tackle complex, real-world problems to enhance your critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
  • Learn how engineers collaborate with traders and researchers to understand requirements, respond to feedback and improve systems quickly.
  • Based on your performance during the internship, you could receive an offer to join our firm full-time after your studies, in either our London or Amsterdam office.

What you’ll get

  • A highly competitive internship compensation package and accommodation included.
  • Extensive office perks, including breakfast and lunch and world-class barista coffee.
  • The opportunity to participate in sports and leisure activities, along with social events.

Who you are

  • Penultimate-year student in Computer Science, Computer Engineering or equivalent, with the ability to work full time upon graduation in 2028.
  • Passionate for 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.
  • 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.

Applicants must have the right to work in the UK for the full duration of the London Summer 2027 Internship. For this internship, Optiver is unable to provide visa sponsorship, visa extension support, or other immigration support. Any offer will be conditional on satisfactory right-to-work verification before the internship begins.

How to Apply: Apply directly via the form below for the position of Software Engineer Intern. Please provide us with a CV in English. Unfortunately we cannot accept applications via email for data protection reasons. If your application is selected to proceed to the next round, you will be required to complete online assessments. By submitting your application you are confirming that you will be able to take the assessment within 7 days. Kindly note that we do not require any assistance from third-parties including agencies in the recruitment of this role. If you have any questions feel free to contact our Recruitment team via the contact form.

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.

Software Engineer Internship (2027 Start) in London employer: Optiver

Optiver is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and collaborative work culture in the heart of London. As a Valuations Specialist, you will thrive in an environment that prioritises continuous improvement and professional growth, supported by comprehensive benefits such as a performance-based bonus structure, generous vacation days, and opportunities for international career advancement. Join a team of curious thinkers and creative problem solvers dedicated to enhancing market efficiency and transparency.

Optiver

Contact Details:

Optiver Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Software Engineer Internship (2027 Start) in London

Join Developer Communities!

Dive into online communities like GitHub or Stack Overflow. Contributing to open-source projects can really showcase your coding skills and catch the eye of hiring managers at companies like Optiver.

Attend Tech Meetups and Hackathons

Get your name out there by attending local tech meetups and hackathons. It's a perfect way to network with industry professionals and fellow interns, while also demonstrating your coding prowess in a collaborative setting.

Leverage University Career Services

Don't forget about your university's career services! They often have partnerships with companies like Optiver, and can help you access exclusive internship listings and workshops tailored for aspiring interns like us.

Show Off Your Work

Create a portfolio showcasing your coding projects on a platform like GitHub Pages or personal website. When applying for internships, we should link this to provide tangible proof of our skills and creativity, making us stand out to Optiver!

We think you need these skills to ace Software Engineer Internship (2027 Start) in London

C++
Python
Java
Understanding of Computer Architecture
System Operations
Analytical Mindset
Problem-Solving Skills

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Off Your Side Projects:If you've got any side projects or contributions to open source, make sure to highlight them in your CV. We want to see what you can create! Include links to your GitHub or any relevant platforms to give us a taste of your coding style and skills.

Tailor Your CV for Software Engineering:Make your CV pop by tailoring it specifically for software engineering. List relevant programming languages, frameworks, and tools you’ve worked with, and showcase any tech stacks you're familiar with. This will help us quickly see how you fit into the Optiver team!

Let Your Passion Shine in Your Cover Letter:In your cover letter, don't just list your skills—tell us why you're passionate about software engineering! We love to see candidates who are eager to learn and grow, so share what excites you about this field and how a role at Optiver can help you on your journey.

Demonstrate Your Learning Mindset:As this is an internship, focus on your willingness to learn and adapt! We’re keen to see examples of how you’ve tackled challenges or learnt new skills in the past. Bring that eagerness to your application, showing us that you're ready to dive into a real-world software environment at Optiver!

How to prepare for a job interview at Optiver

Showcase Your Coding Skills

Since you're aiming for a software engineering internship, be ready to code on the spot or discuss your past projects. Brush up on your problem-solving skills, and practise coding challenges on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank. We want to see how you approach problems and apply your knowledge, so having a few coding examples up your sleeve will definitely help!

Bring Your Portfolio to Life

Prepare a portfolio that highlights your coding projects—don't just list them! Be ready to explain your thought process, the technologies used, and any challenges you faced. It’s not just about the final product; we want to hear how you made it happen, so this narrative will show your depth of understanding and passion for software development.

Get Familiar with Technical Questions

Expect some technical questions or scenarios in the interview that assess your understanding of algorithms, data structures, and software design. Practise explaining your coding decisions clearly—it's less about getting the right answer and more about demonstrating your thought process and reasoning skills, which are crucial for growth in an internship.

Highlight Your Willingness to Learn

As an intern, your enthusiasm and eagerness to learn are key! During the interview, emphasise your willingness to tackle new challenges and pick up new skills. Companies like Optiver are often looking for candidates who can grow with them, so remind us why you're excited about opportunities to learn and contribute in a team environment.