Senior Technical Program Manager - Trading & Core Software

About the Role

As a Senior Technical Program Manager Trading & Core Software, you will drive programs that expand Optivers trading footprint and evolve the core systems that underpin our global trading platform. This role focuses on delivering initiatives that enable new markets, asset classes, and products, while strengthening the foundational software that supports trading at scale. Youll work closely with high-performing engineering and trading teams to turn strategy into delivery, ensuring Optivers trading systems evolve with speed, reliability, and precision.

What youll do

In Optivers fast-paced environment, you will work alongside engineers and leaders to deliver multiple projects that support the firms strategic growth and take Optiver to the next level.

As a Senior Technical Program Manager, your key responsibilities include:

• Lead and coordinate delivery of large-scale technology programs across trading expansion and core trading software domains, including instruments, trades, positions, and control systems.

• Drive end-to-end program execution across multiple engineering and trading teams.

• Partner with trading, research, and engineering leadership to align technical delivery with trading strategy.

• Apply data-driven insights to program prioritization, sequencing, and decision-making.

• Ensure delivery discipline while operating in a fast-moving, performance-critical environment.

• Drive continuous improvement and operational excellence across trading and software development teams.

What youll get

• 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, sporting leagues and more

Who you are

• Highly self-motivated and thrive in environments with minimal oversight. You take full ownership, show initiative, manage your own priorities effectively and keep momentum even when direction isnt fully defined.

• Hold a degree in computer science, engineering, or a related STEM field.

• Have 5+ years of experience in software engineering or technical program management within a high-performance technology environment

• Comfortable operating close to trading and quantitative research & development teams.

• Strong technical foundation in distributed systems and core platform software.

• AI-first mindset with experience leveraging generative or agentic AI to automate workflows, improve program visibility, and enhance productivity

• Motivated by impact and intrigued by the intersection of trading, technology, and strategy.

• Exposure to AI/ML workflows or data-driven trading initiatives is a plus.

Who we are

At Optiver, our mission is to improve the market by injecting liquidity, providing accurate pricing, increasing transparency and stabilising the market no matter the conditions. With a focus on continuous improvement, we prioritise safeguarding the health and efficiency of the markets for all participants. As one of the largest market making institutions, we are a respected partner on 100+ exchanges across the globe.

Our differences are our edge. Optiver does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, physical or mental disability, or other legally protected characteristics.