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Institutional Trader Intern (2026 Start - Chicago)

Chicago, Illinois, United States

As a Institutional 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 combination of structured education sessions and hands-on experience in live market conditions, you’ll gain deep insight into how markets move and how our Institutional Traders make impact. 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 an Institutional 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. Mentored by the Institutional Trader team, you’ll have the opportunity to:

  • Deep dive into trading fundamentals, from theoretical concepts to financial markets, trading strategies, and cutting-edge technology.
  • Learn to identify and capitalize on trading opportunities while representing our markets and executing trades with external counterparties.
  • Understand how to expand our external trading network by sourcing, developing, and maintaining trading relationships.
  • Push your limits and accelerate your growth in a fascinating and high-performing environment.

What you’ll get:

You’ll join a culture of collaboration and excellence, 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, collectively tackling some of the toughest challenges in the financial markets.

In addition, you’ll receive:

  • The opportunity to work alongside best-in-class professionals from over 40 different countries
  • The opportunity to earn a full-time offer in Chicago
  • A highly-competitive internship compensation package
  • Optiver-covered flights, living accommodations, and commuting stipends
  • Extensive office perks, including breakfast, lunch and snacks, regular social events, clubs, sporting leagues and more

Who you are: 

  • A student pursuing a bachelor’s or master’s degree in Business, Finance, Economics, or a related STEM field
  • On track to graduate between December 2026 to June 2027, with junior standing or higher
  • Strong communication skills and self-assurance
  • Ability and interest in building and maintaining trading relationships and strategic partnerships
  • Superior quantitative and logical reasoning skills
  • Competitive attitude and dedication to constantly improve

 

Who we are:

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.

Our differences are our edge. Optiver does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, physical or mental disability, or other legally protected characteristics.

 

*We accept one application per role per year. If you have previously applied to this position during this season and have been unsuccessful, you can reapply once the next recruitment season begins in 2026.

 

Below is the expected compensation for this position. This is a good-faith estimate of the base pay scale and sign-on bonus for this position and offers will ultimately be determined based on experience, education, skill set, and performance in the interview process. This position will also be eligible for the benefits listed above.

Base Salary Range

$45,000 - $50,000 USD

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