Graduate FPGA Engineer (2027 Start - Chicago)

About the role

Graduate FPGA Engineer role in Chicago starting in 2027. You will design high-speed hardware for trading systems, develop nanosecond-response solutions, research low-latency technologies, and collaborate with traders, software developers, and infrastructure engineers. An eight-week Global Academy onboarding provides trading theory, technology training, and dedicated mentorship.

Responsibilities

• Accelerate network infrastructure and trading-system components through high-speed FPGA hardware designs.
• Research low-latency techniques and platforms for potential integration into trading systems.
• Collaborate with traders, software developers, infrastructure engineers, and other multidisciplinary teams.
• Select or build hardware enabling FPGA interfaces with advanced server hardware.

Training and Development

• Complete an eight-week Global Academy onboarding covering trading theory and Optiver’s technology stack.
• Work with a dedicated mentor while developing ownership of your responsibilities and projects.

Requirements

• Pursue a bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
• Be on track to graduate between December 2026 and June 2027.
• Have hands-on digital-design experience with FPGAs or ASICs.
• Have experience writing hardware in VHDL, Verilog, or SystemVerilog.
• Demonstrate strong engineering instincts, clean coding practices, and well-architected systems thinking.
• Collaborate comfortably with developers, traders, and business teams.

Compensation and Benefits

• Base salary is $200,000 USD, with eligibility for a discretionary bonus.
• Benefits include a global profit-sharing pool, performance-based bonus structure, and 401(k) match up to 50%.
• Coverage includes health, mental, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance.
• Receive 25 paid vacation days alongside market holidays.
• Office perks include meals, snacks, social events, clubs, and sporting leagues.

Application Eligibility

• Applicants who completed an assessment or interview for an Optiver FPGA graduate or internship role within eight months are not eligible to reapply.
• Optiver is supportive of US immigration sponsorship for this role.