What are the responsibilities and job description for the Quantitative Developer position at Pagos Consultants?
Job Title: Senior C Developer – High-Frequency Trading (HFT) / Market Making
Location: Chicago, IL (Hybrid) – Must be based in Chicago or willing to relocate
About the Role:
We are seeking an experienced C Developer with deep expertise in low-latency systems and exchange connectivity, particularly with the CME Group (Chicago Mercantile Exchange). The ideal candidate will have a strong background in HFT, options/futures market making, execution systems, and pricing/data pipelines.
This role involves working closely with traders, quants, and other developers to build and optimize ultra-low-latency trading systems, execution algorithms, and real-time risk management tools.
Key Responsibilities:
- Design, develop, and optimize low-latency C trading systems for options, futures, or market making
- Work on exchange connectivity (CME, Globex, FIX/FAST protocols) and execution logic
- Enhance order routing, execution algorithms, and hedging strategies
- Optimize market data processing (pricing feeds, order book dynamics)
- Collaborate with quant teams to integrate pricing models and trading signals
- Debug and improve system performance (Linux, kernel bypass, networking optimizations)
- Ensure robustness and stability in a high-throughput trading environment
Required Skills & Experience:
- 3 years of professional C development (C 17/20, low-latency, lock-free, multithreading)
- Proven experience with CME exchange connectivity (FIX/FAST, iLink, drop copy)
- Strong background in HFT, market making, or execution systems (options/futures preferred)
- Hands-on experience with low-latency optimizations (CPU caching, kernel tuning, NIC optimizations)
- Knowledge of pricing models, market data feeds, and order book dynamics
- Familiarity with trading risk systems, P&L attribution, or real-time monitoring
- Experience with Linux, sockets, multicast, and high-performance networking
- Chicago-based or willing to relocate (no remote work)
Nice to Have:
- Python for data analysis/scripting
- FPGA/ASIC acceleration experience
- Prior work at a prop trading firm, hedge fund, or HFT shop
To register your interest, apply or reach out to Connor Akers
connora@pagosconsultants.com
