PEAK6

Chicago, IL

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Developer + Engineer//Golang//Java//Linux//Python//

Staff Software Engineer (Execution Team)

PEAK6

| Chicago

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We are PEAK6, a leading investment firm. You'll find us headquartered in the historic Chicago Board of Trade building, where we first opened our doors in 1997. It's been over 20 years since we were one of the first firms to develop sophisticated proprietary technology to use in our trading business. Today, we continue to leverage our technical ingenuity and operational excellence across several investment areas, spanning early-to-mid stage growth capital, operational control, trading, and e-sports, while always proving value to the customer. Throughout the years, we've built and operated several financial technology firms, and we continue to evolve. You'll find a bit of everything here, and we're always looking to take on new endeavors.
As a Staff Software Engineer on the Execution team, a regular day could include reviewing the execution system with the team and identify tech debt and opportunities to capture additional value, collaborating with traders to iterate on automated strategies, and writing Java code with other engineers on the team to build out the future of PEAK6's execution system. Additionally, Staff Software Engineers regularly participate in and contribute to regular architecture cadences, drive discussions and decisions on coding standards and practices, mentor other engineers and help reinforce and improve PEAK6's engineering culture.
On the Execution team, you'll be responsible for:

Collaborating with trading and technology teams on trading strategy and algorithm implementations.
Owning execution of key initiatives that align with strategic business plans.
Providing influence and critical inputs into strategic business plans and trading system architecture.
Creating improvements in stability, performance, and scalability across major business-critical systems.
Full lifecycle software development to develop trading strategies/algorithms, implement trading risk and administrative controls, and interface with exchanges and brokers.
Performing manual and automated testing to confirm strategy/algorithm behavior, efficacy of trading system controls, and overall system stability.
Optimizing and monitoring critical path performance.
Troubleshooting production issues quickly and efficiently.

You'll gain loads of experience in this role but before you do, you should have:

Proficiency in Java. Go or Python is a nice to have!
Willingness to prepare and pass relevant regulatory examinations to attain a FINRA Series 57 certification.
Experience with Financial Information eXchange (FIX) Protocol
Bachelors or Masters Degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related.
8+ years trading or finance industry experience.
Excellent problem-solving skills with high attention to detail.
Familiarity with Linux platform.
Effective communication skills.
Passion for mentoring engineers and building software as part of a team

Does our Engineering DNA Match yours?

We collaborate in small, agile teams to learn and develop innovative technology
We like to develop impactful features fast so we can share directly with our end-users and iterate quickly
We're focused on well-defined software delivery and continuous learning
People are everything and our support for each other is abundant
Through open source technology, we continue to evolve our tech stacks while looking for ways to contribute back to the community

Whether you're new to our tech stack or an expert, we encourage each team member to experiment with new technologies and take ownership of projects.
We love to have fun and dedicate time to exploring new technologies and ideas through Tech Days and Hackathons.

* Due to the unprecedented situation of COVID-19, PEAK6 has decided to protect our current and future employees by managing our business remotely. This is inclusive of interviewing, onboarding and each role day-to-day. Please consider that our roles will not be remote long-term and will return to a hybrid office setting once we're safe to do so following the guidance of local health authorities and the CDC.
*PEAK6 currently requires all employees as a condition of employment to either be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 or submit to regular testing. The CDC defines "fully vaccinated" as two weeks after the second dose for Pfizer and Moderna, and two weeks after the single dose of Johnson & Johnson. PEAK6 will also require proof of vaccination and/or testing. PEAK6 will also consider requests for exemption from these requirements as a reasonable accommodation for medical reasons or sincerely held religious beliefs

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Where we are

You'll find PEAK6 headquarters on the former trading floors of the Chicago Board of Trade building, located in the Chicago Loop at the southern end of the LaSalle Street canyon.

Technology we use

Engineering

- GolangLanguages
- JavaLanguages
- JavascriptLanguages
- PythonLanguages
- jQueryLibraries
- ReactLibraries
- ReduxLibraries
- Node.jsFrameworks
- MongoDBDatabases
- MySQLDatabases
- PostgreSQLDatabases

Michelle Williams

Executive Director of Fintech In Action

Bridging the Divide

Empowering others to take on new challenges

Williams describes Fintech in Action — of which she is executive director — as “a coalition of 30-plus action-oriented fintech and finance firms focused on accelerating progress, innovation and opportunity for Black talent.” One of her most memorable projects was investing $1 million in Greenwood Project, a Black-led organization that creates career pathways for Black, Latinx and underrepresented students.

The $1 million invested allowed Greenwood Project to increase the number of students they served by 160 percent, and allowed all 2021 participants to receive a stipend during the duration of their training.

Sendhil Revuluri

Managing Director, Strategic Development

An Educator’s Mind

Trusted by others

After years of passionate work with city schools in New York City and Chicago, Revuluri was appointed by Mayor Lori Lightfoot to sit on the increasingly diverse Chicago Board of Education. He brings much of what he’s learned in education to PEAK6 Investments, while also incorporating new techniques. “While I sometimes function as a strategic planner or coach, I am — like everyone at PEAK6 Investments is — also a doer every day,” Revuluri said.

If we can talk about race at work, then I’m pretty sure talking about business — however contentious the question or however divergent the opinions — is going to be easier.

Brianna Rodgers

Chairwoman of DEI Council

At the Forefront of Inclusion

Building ERGs from the ground up

Rodgers believes that PEAK6 Investments’ diversity comes not only from its DEI council and ERGs, but also its structure. “The wonderful thing about PEAK6 Investments is that it is made up of a number of different companies that cover different industries,” said Rodgers. “This causes our company culture to naturally foster diversity of thought, which is essential to building an inclusive workplace.”

At PEAK6 Investments, we are tackling DEI work in a meaningful way that will result in sustainable and scalable change, and we are starting with inclusion work.

What are PEAK6 Perks + Benefits

PEAK6 Benefits Overview

At PEAK6, you’ll find flexibility with our work-life balance, a collaborative spirit and the ability to cater to your strengths while having opportunities to cultivate new ones.

PEAK6 is committed to addressing barriers to diversity, equity, and inclusion. In June of 2020, PEAK6 created Fintech in Action, a coalition dedicated to Black inclusion in finance and fintech. As part of Fintech in Action we’ve partnered with Greenwood Project, a non-profit that introduces Black and other minority high school and college students to careers in the financial industry with paid summer internships, educational field trips and its summer Financial Institute.

Additionally, PEAK6 established Poker Power, a company led by women for women with the goal of teaching one million women how to play the game of poker—and the skills required to play that also predict success in work and in life. Through a global network of clubs, tournaments and corporate events, Poker Power utilizes gameplay (not gambling) to help women build confidence, challenge the status quo, learn strategy and assess risk in a fun, supportive, safe-to-fail environment. By empowering women with these skills, the organization plans to change the future for generations to come.

Culture

Partners with Nonprofits

PEAK6 offers coordinated volunteer and philanthropic opportunities throughout the year including, Go Red For Women, Socktober, Filling in the Blanks Backpack Drive, Matching Gifts and Holiday Giving.

Friends outside of work

Open door policy

Team owned deliverables

Team based strategic planning

Group brainstorming sessions

Pair programming

Open office floor plan

Diversity

Dedicated Diversity/Inclusion Staff

Unconscious bias training

Diversity manifesto

Diversity Employee Resource Groups

POWHER seeks to amplifying women’s voices through the knowledge of money.  BRIDGE, Black Resourceful Individuals Dissolving Gaps Everywhere

Health Insurance & Wellness Benefits

Flexible Spending Account (FSA)

We offer generous medical, vision & dental plans, including Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) and Health Savings Account (HSA) options.

Disability Insurance

Dental Benefits

Vision Benefits

Health Insurance Benefits

Life Insurance

Wellness Programs

We offer annual wellness screens and flu shots at no additional cost to employees.

Onsite Gym

Employees have access to the FFC-affiliated gym located in the Board of Trade at a discounted rate and free access to yoga classes at Bottom Line Yoga.

Mental Health Benefits

Offering Ginger, an emotional well-being and mental health app to employees and their dependents ages 18 and older. GuidanceResources, an employee assistance program to help with life's challenges.

Retirement & Stock Options Benefits

401(K)

401(K) Matching

Performance Bonus

Match charitable contributions

PEAK6 offers a Matching Gift Program to encourage employees to become active in the support of non-profit organizations and to have a voice in determining the recipients of charitable contributions.

Child Care & Parental Leave Benefits

Flexible Work Schedule

Family Medical Leave

PEAK6 offers up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave per year, as well as maintained health benefits, for any employee eligible under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).

Adoption Assistance

PEAK6's adoption assistance program provides employees with reimbursement for up to $5,000 (per child) of adoption expenses.

Vacation & Time Off Benefits

Generous PTO

PEAK6's vacation policy includes three weeks of PTO, plus 5 personal days. Employees with 5 years of service accrue four weeks of PTO, plus 5 personal days.

Sabbatical

Employees with 10+ years of service can apply to take an 8-week Sabbatical, as well as adding up to 4 weeks of accrued PTO.

Paid Holidays

Whenever the U.S. financial markets are closed, PEAK6 is closed.

Perks & Discounts

Casual Dress

Our employees wear casual attire like jeans, button-down shirts, and t-shirts. On any given day, many employees will be wearing branded PEAK6 clothing.

Commuter Benefits

PEAK6 offers pre-tax commuter benefits for all employee through WageWorks, as well as a Zipcar discount.

Company Outings

PEAK6 has themed social events throughout the year as well as a popular annual company party known for featuring surprise, high profile stars like Imagine Dragons, The Chainsmokers and Keith Urban.

Free Daily Meals

For three Fridays a month, employees enjoy noshing on bagels. For the remaining Friday, employees are treated to a free "Expiration Date" lunch.

Game Room

We host (in office) ping pong, cornhole, and poker tournments. Our employees enjoy a rooftop bar/deck that also includes a game room.

Stocked Kitchen

PEAK6 has a fully-stocked kitchen that includes a cereal bar, coffee bar, a variety of healthy food choices and drinks, as well as an abundance of snacks to put a rumbling stomach to rest.

Some Meals Provided

Happy Hours

The Culture Club at PEAK6 works to host themed social events throughout the year.

Parking

Recreational Clubs

We sponsor various teams based on employee interest, such as: table tennis, beach volleyball, soccer, kickball, flag football, dodgeball, and whirlyball.

Relocation Assistance

We offer relocation assistance plans for new employees and their families.

Fitness Subsidies

PEAK6 offers free yoga classes to Chicago employees at Bottom Line Yoga, which are currently conducted via Zoom.

Professional Development Benefits

Job Training & Conferences

PEAK6 is firmly committed to learning and development as a way to grow and develop employees.

Tuition Reimbursement

At the discretion of management and after completing one full-year of employment, we reimburse up to $8,000 per employee each calendar year for certifications and other educational programs or degree.

Diversity Program

Promote from within

Mentorship program

Continuing Education stipend

Additional Perks + Benefits

We have a dedicated team of employees who volunteer to be a part of our Culture Club. This group works to connect employees through delightful experiences while making a positive impact on PEAK6 life. The Culture Club plans many social and philanthropic employee events throughout the year.

We host bi-annual Hackathons as a collaboration of our technology, trading, support and analytics teams to develop, build, and present new ideas to the firm. The teams are free to explore solutions to problems in and outside of the day-to-day work. Winning Hackathon solutions are frequently deployed and tested in the firm.
Additional perks include:
-Matching gift up to $1000/employee/year
-Free semi-monthly massage day
-Free monthly manicures, pedicures, and mens clip and clean
-Free onsite/Zoom yoga
-Discounts: Lasik eye surgery, Zipcar, Dell computers, local hotels

View full list of perks + benefits

An Insider's view of PEAK6

How would you describe the company’s work-life balance?

This is very important and luckily, we feel it’s something attainable for our employees. We have a generous time off policy, in addition to other affiliated vacation perks and leave benefits.
For example, to help employees save time on conventional tasks, we offer complementary services in the office, such as manicures, massages, and yoga classes.

Courtney Schroeder

Human Resources Business Partner

How do you collaborate with other teams in the company?

Our developers are also a part of the decision-making process. We help our technologists take an interest in the business side of things - they know how the end product should work. Our developers know how the traders are going to use a product and after a product is delivered, the developer stays involved – making sure that things work efficently.

Rishi Kamath

QA Development Lead

How does the company support your career growth?

We have a big focus on career growth, especially for those in technology. Because of our size, there are opportunities to prove yourself and rapidly increase your responsibility on a team. And because of Peak6’s culture of constantly trying new things, there are often opportunities to get in at the ground floor of new ventures in a leadership role

Paul Whalen

Software Engineer

What unique initiatives do you have that encourage innovation?

We organize “tech days” where employees are encouraged to work on tech projects of their choosing. Projects have ranged from mobile apps to Sega emulators to workflow improvements for our developers. Recently, tech days took the form of a more formal hackathon, in which technologists and traders teamed up to prototype several new trading tools.

Luke Peeler

Software Engineer

What’s the vibe like in the office?

I like working at PEAK6 because there’s always something exciting to work on and I’m always learning something new. It’s also a privilege to work with so many smart people that are never hesitant to act as mentors. Lastly, PEAK6 gives me the opportunity to wear many different hats – I’m never restricted to working on just one thing.