Senior C++ Software Engineer - Real Time Trading

Wolverine Trading

$100K — $140K *
Finance & Insurance
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Computer Science or related field
  • 3+ years of professional C++ development experience
  • Expert knowledge of C++17 or later including advanced features
  • Strong understanding of systems fundamentals like CPU architecture
  • No prior trading experience required, just a willingness to learn
  • Detail-oriented with strong communication skills for cross-team collaboration

Responsibilities

  • Build and enhance low-latency C++ components for market data and order execution
  • Develop connectivity to new markets and exchange platforms
  • Analyze and tune system performance from application code to network behavior
  • Collaborate with traders and engineers for end-to-end solutions
  • Own and support production systems throughout their lifecycle

Benefits

  • Generous paid time off and flexible scheduling
  • 100% coverage of medical, dental, and vision benefits for single coverage
  • Paid Parental Leave
  • Retirement plans including 401K and Roth 401K
  • Profit sharing plan
  • Long- and short-term disability coverage
  • Free meals from an in-house kitchen
  • Access to an on-site gym with subsidized membership
  • Frequent company outings and community engagement opportunities
  • In-house education and mentorship programs for professional development
Full Job Description
Senior C++ Software Engineer - Real Time Trading

Department: Technology

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Chicago, IL

Description

At Wolverine Trading, we're looking for a Senior C++ Software Engineer to build and optimize the market data and execution systems at the heart of our trading operation. This role is on-site in our Chicago headquarters, where engineers work shoulder-to-shoulder with traders and hardware specialists on systems where every microsecond counts. You'll take on some of the most technically demanding problems in the industry including processing enormous volumes of market data, connecting exchanges around the world, and executing orders at maximum speed and reliability. This is a hands-on role for an engineer who thrives on performance-critical work, wants their code running in production where its impact is immediately measurable, and is ready to help set the technical direction of a growing team.

What You'll Do
  • Build and enhance low-latency C++ components for market data processing, exchange connectivity, and order execution.
  • Develop and optimize connectivity to new markets and exchange platforms, expanding the reach of our trading business.
  • Analyze and tune system performance at every level from application code and lock-free data structures to network and OS-level behavior.
  • Collaborate with traders, FPGA engineers, and infrastructure teams to deliver end-to-end solutions across software and hardware.
  • Own production systems through the full lifecycle: design, implementation, testing, deployment, and real-time support.


What We're Looking For
  • Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or a related field.
  • 3+ years of professional experience developing C++ code; exposure to low-latency, real-time, or high-throughput systems from any industry is a plus.
  • Expert-level knowledge of modern C++ (C++17 or later), including templates, move semantics, and low-level performance idioms.
  • Strong grasp of systems fundamentals: memory hierarchies, CPU architecture, lock-free programming, and network protocols (TCP/UDP).
  • No prior trading or financial markets experience needed! We are looking for a strong technical foundation and a drive to learn the domain is what matters.
  • A pragmatic, detail-oriented approach and communication skills to work effectively with both technical and trading teams.


Benefits:
  • Highly competitive salary & bonus opportunity
  • Generous paid time off and flexible scheduling
  • 100% coverage of medical, dental, vision, life, and disability benefits for single coverage
  • Generous Paid Parental Leave
  • Retirement Plans: 401K and Roth 401K
  • Profit sharing plan
  • Long- and short-term disability

Additional Perks:
  • Free breakfast and lunch from our in-house kitchen with rotating menus (including snacks!)
  • On-site gym with a subsidized membership
  • Frequent company outings
  • Opportunity to give back to organizations that help individuals in need in the Chicagoland area

Professional Development:
  • In-house education team - classes and resources are offered for continuous learning opportunities
  • Mentorship Program through your first six months of employment

The base compensation range for this role is approximately $100,000-$140,000 contingent on experience. Wolverine Trading's total compensation model includes base salary and an annual discretionary bonus.

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