Quant Trading Internship

Chicago Trading Company (CTC) is a premier proprietary trading firm specializing in options market making.  Our collaborative culture fuels innovation in quantitative research, systematic trading strategies, and cutting-edge trading technology.  For over three decades CTC has provided critical liquidity across derivatives exchanges worldwide - making them fairer, more transparent, and more efficient.

We strive to be the most innovative firm in the industry today, tomorrow, and long into the future while upholding ethical excellence. We believe that CTC makes a positive impact on the markets, the lives of our employees, and all the communities to which we belong. Started in 1995 by a team of forward-thinking Traders, we are proud to call ourselves an industry leader that keeps making markets and each other better.

The Role  

As a Quant Trading (QT) Intern, you will be challenged to learn and adapt in an exciting team environment and will play a substantial role in our day-to-day trading and quant-related activities. Your impact is immediate and meaningful. You will become a member of a team for the summer and play a vital role completing project work and/or identifying trading opportunities and communicating with software engineers, quants, traders, and risk managers throughout the trading day. As part of the Summer Associate cohort, you will learn and socialize alongside other QT Interns and Software Engineering (SE) Interns.

What to Expect

The 8-week internship program gives you insight into our culture and an inward look into what our business is all about. You will participate in three classroom learning experiences including: a week-long Basics of Options class, a multi-week class on the fundamentals of market making (Mock Trading), and a multi-week class that introduces elements of our quant framework (Quant Curriculum). You will also attend planned social activities and talks from various business leaders to propel your professional growth, and build your network with CTC employees and fellow interns. You will:

• Work in an impactful role mirroring that of a full-time Quant Trading Associate (QTA)
• Get hands-on experience with trading and exposure to our trading technology
• Have weekly one-on-one meetings with your manager to ensure you are progressing and learning throughout the program
• Receive mentorship from members of our trading and/or quant teams
• Experience a culture with a strong emphasis on teamwork and collaboration built through various educational and social activities

What it takes for you to be successful  

• You have a competitive drive and are a highly motivated individual that only gets stronger as part of a collaborative team
• You have a desire to work in tandem with traders, quants, developers, and other experts to further CTC’s goal of providing world class liquidity to financial markets
• You love solving complex problems
• You’re intellectually curious and like to challenge the status quo
• You can effectively communicate sophisticated ideas both written and verbally
• Strong quantitative and analytical abilities
• Basic programming skills or a willingness to learn Python
• No prior experience in finance is necessary, but a deep curiosity and hunger to learn about finance and trading is essential

Key Requirements  

• You are pursuing a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree. All majors and concentrations welcome.
• You will graduate between December 2027-June 2028
• You have a demonstrated record of success (academics, awards, etc.)
• You are willing to relocate to Chicago, IL for the summer (with full-time placement in Chicago)
• You can participate in the full duration of the 8-week program from mid-June to early August 2027

Why should you consider interning at CTC?

• Be part of a fast-growing, industry-leading global trading company
• Work in an environment that actively explores and applies emerging technologies — including AI — to enhance trading, engineering, and research workflows
• Opportunity to work with and learn from leaders in our industry
• Excellent support system to ensure your learning and development
• Competitive pay, free housing with your fellow interns in downtown Chicago, and free breakfast, lunch, and snacks!

Compensation

Monthly salary of $16,500 plus a signing bonus

Please note: You are allowed to submit one application per position (i.e. SE Intern and QT Intern) during the recruiting cycle. We recommend focusing on applying for the role that aligns most closely with your skills and interests. While you can apply for more than one role, please keep in mind that each application will be assessed according to the specific requirements set for that role.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

At CTC, we aim to cultivate a workplace that celebrates diversity and each person feels included, engaged and empowered. Where each of us feels we belong. We are committed to having a diverse workforce and are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. CTC does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform crucial job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. 

If you have a disability and believe you need a reasonable accommodation in order to search for a job opening or to apply for a position, please contact us at info@chicagotrading.com. Note that emails sent to this email account for non-disability related issues, such as following up on an application, will not receive a response.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Information submitted by job applicants may be subject to review and analysis by automated systems, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), as part of the recruitment process. Such systems are utilized to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of our hiring procedures. Applicants are advised that any information provided may be evaluated by AI tools to ensure an equitable and thorough assessment.