Risk Analyst at Optiver in Chicago, Illinois, United States

Job description

• Optiver is looking for a Risk Analyst to join our growing Risk team and help shape how we identify, measure, and manage trading risk. This is a highly collaborative role at the intersection of risk, trading, quantitative research, and technology. You will work closely with traders to understand complex positions and strategies, develop and challenge risk methodologies, and build tools that improve how we manage risk in fast-moving markets.
• We are looking for someone who is intellectually curious, quantitatively strong, and genuinely interested in financial markets. You should be comfortable digging into data, challenging assumptions, and communicating your conclusions clearly to traders and senior stakeholders.
• You will join a team that is continuing to evolve and expand, giving you the opportunity not only to manage today's risks, but also to help define the long-term direction of our trading risk framework.

Responsibilities

• Analyze the risk of complex trading positions and portfolios
• Design, perform, and interpret stress tests and scenario analyses, identifying where our portfolios may be vulnerable to changing market conditions
• Partner closely with traders, quantitative researchers, and software engineers to develop and enhance risk analytics, tools, and systems
• Develop and challenge risk methodologies, metrics, and limits, ensuring they remain appropriate as our trading strategies and markets evolve
• Translate complex risk exposures into clear, actionable insights for traders and senior stakeholders
• Stay on top of market developments and assess how emerging events and changing market dynamics could affect our positions and strategies
• Investigate risk incidents and limit breaches, identify root causes, and help determine appropriate actions and improvements
• Identify weaknesses and opportunities within the existing risk framework and take ownership of driving improvements
• Contribute to the long-term development of Optiver's trading risk framework, including new analytics, processes, and approaches to risk management

Requirements

• You have 0-3 years of relevant experience; exceptional recent graduates are also encouraged to apply
• You hold a bachelor's or advanced degree in a quantitative discipline such as mathematics, statistics, physics, engineering, computer science, economics, or a related field
• You have strong quantitative and analytical problem solving skills and enjoy working with complex datasets and problems
• You are proficient in Python and comfortable using code to analyze data, automate processes, and develop analytical tools
• You have a strong interest in financial markets, trading, and risk management
• You are intellectually curious and willing to question assumptions and challenge existing approaches
• You can communicate complex ideas clearly and confidently to both technical and non-technical stakeholders
• You are comfortable operating in a fast-paced environment, prioritizing effectively and taking ownership of problems
• Legal authorization to work in the U.S. is required; we will not sponsor individuals for employment authorization for this job opening

Skills

Required

• Proficient in Python

Benefits

• 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.
• The opportunity to work alongside best-in-class professionals from over 40 different countries
• Highly competitive compensation package including performance-based bonus structure
• 401(k) match up to 50%
• Comprehensive health, mental, dental, vision, disability, and life coverage
• 25 paid vacation days alongside market holidays
• Extensive office perks, including breakfast, lunch and snacks, regular social events, clubs, sports leagues and more
• Below is the expected base salary for this position. This is a good-faith estimate of the base pay scale 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 a discretionary bonus (if determined by Optiver) and Optiver’s benefits package with the benefits listed above.
• $97,500—$121,500 USD