Introducing Optiver’s global eight-week technology onboarding program

Over the past two years, the Global Optiver Academy has helped trading and research starters transition from the classroom to the trading floor. Building on this success, we’re excited to introduce a new track designed to equip the next generation of tech talent with the technical skills and trading knowledge needed to solve the unique challenges that arise at a global trading firm.

Launching your career at a trading firm can be an exciting yet challenging step, especially for tech graduates without a finance background. To bridge this gap, Optiver proudly presents the Global Optiver Academy – Tech, a comprehensive eight-week onboarding program designed for tech graduate hires across our 11 global offices.

At Optiver, your technical skills are not just welcomed but essential in building the systems that drive financial markets. Our engineers tackle some of the most complex challenges in the finance industry, from developing cutting-edge trading algorithms to reducing reaction times to nanoseconds. This program provides an immersive and collaborative learning experience, ensuring every new tech starter is fully prepared to meet these challenges head-on.

What to expect

Global training in Amsterdam

Your journey begins in Amsterdam, where you’ll join your peers from across the world for a comprehensive introduction to Optiver’s business.

Led by a dedicated team of trainers, you’ll build your knowledge from the ground up. Through interactive lectures and hands-on workshops, you’ll learn how Optiver operates, receive a crash course on options theory, and understand how key business KPIs are calculated. This foundational knowledge is essential as you delve into our advanced global tech stack, designed to meet the demands of international markets.

“Our immersive training in Amsterdam is not just about learning; it’s about experiencing the culture and collaborative spirit that makes Optiver unique. It’s an invaluable start to any tech career here.”
Max Haspels, Trainer

Amsterdam offers more than just training. You’ll connect with peers through social events, canal tours, and team-building activities, embracing the collaborative spirit that drives our success.

Specialised regional training

After your global induction, the program transitions into specialised training tailored to your future role and region. Whether your focus is infrastructure engineering, automated risk monitoring, or trading algorithms, your onboarding is customised to prepare you for the specific challenges and opportunities in your office. Expect to dive deep into our systems and processes, learning how trading decisions impact technology and vice versa.

“We don’t expect graduates to have any prior knowledge of financial markets when they join. That’s why our program is designed to start from the ground up, providing a thorough introduction to trading fundamentals and our Optiver specific technology stack.”
Zuotian Tatum, Trainer

This phase is also designed to expose you to multiple technical disciplines and functions, helping you discover new areas of interest and providing continuous opportunities for growth. You’ll take part in simulated trading—a unique chance to experience the systems you’ll be working on from the end-user’s perspective. This hands-on approach ensures that you can align your technical skills with real-world trading operations, enhancing your ability to contribute effectively from day one.

Joining your team

Completing the eight-week program marks the beginning of your journey at Optiver, not the end of your learning. As you join your team and start working on projects, you’ll be supported every step of the way by your mentor and team. You’ll work side-by-side with experienced engineers sharing their knowledge, answering your questions and helping you grow.

“We believe in continuous education. As a mentor, I’m here to make sure that your learning never stops and that you continue to grow professionally.”
Greg Pandechis, Mentor

In your day-to-day work, you’ll collaborate with traders, researchers, risk analysts, and other engineers to develop simple, well-architected solutions that have an immediate impact on Optiver’s cutting-edge trading systems.

Apply now

The Global Optiver Academy – Tech is not just a training program; it’s a launchpad for your career. By the end of this comprehensive onboarding experience, you will have a deep understanding of Optiver’s trading systems, technical tools, and global market dynamics. This preparation equips you to make a significant impact and facilitates a successful transition into your tech career at Optiver.

If you’re a student or recent graduate eager to kickstart your career at a global trading firm, explore our tech roles and see how the Global Optiver Academy – Tech can launch your engineering career.