Have a DE offer from a tier 1 investment bank and a trading / quant firm (think Jump Trading, Two Sigma etc) as a Data Engineer. The quant fund has a larger TC and more in line with FAANG culuture (which is my background). TC around 150k GBP. The bank seems to have more opportunties longer term through networking and ‘stability’. TC around 120k GBP. Thoughts on what is better?
Trading firm for sure
Quant firm offers u like SW dev... (my exp: computer science graduate with 10+ years exp in NYC for tier 1 investment banks)
I guess my issue is that I’ve come from FAANG and this would be my ‘first role’ in finance. Would it be risky to go directly to the quant firm? Or I am overthinking. ‘Faster’ I am not too bothered about. I’m very early in my career (only 5 YOE) mainly want the right exposure and experience. The bank is slower sure, but the team has already made the requests for the infrastructure, so it’s more an execution role now. If I go to the bank for a year does FAANG + bank still keep doors open for quant firms etc?
It's much difficult to go to quant firms than a bank!
Bank stability is a joke, the turnover is just as high if not higher because people realize the pay sucks and quit. The way they get you to quit is give you no bonus and hope you get the hint. Some schmucks don't get it and stay on hoping it'll be better the next year.
Understood.
What was the interview process like for DE at trading/quant firm?
Coding test then 5 interviews all technical / experience related.
Thanks for responding. I know for swe roles at these companies people tend to practice by doing leetcode problems. Is that how you practiced or is there a better way in your opinion for DE roles?
Highly recommend not going for a bank if you have the option to go to a trading/quant firm. There is too much red tape in banks. Things typically move faster on the buy side.