I see a lot of job postings at these top trading firms specifically looking for deep C++ experience. Most Bay Area tech companies use a mixture of Java, Python and Go, even on infra teams. With 5+ years of experience in infra / distributed systems and no C++ experience, is it still possible to make the big bucks at the top trading firms? Or will I crash and burn when they ask me low level C++ questions? Tc 400 yoe 5+ #hrt #jumptrading #citadel #citadelsecurities #deshaw #towerresearchcapital
Yes C++
HRT, Jump, and Tower ask C++ specific questions since they are HFT shops. Also fyi C++ is the language of choice for Google and fb backend so it's not like C++ is only useful for trading firms
For SWE, C++ is highly preferred but for quant/modeling python is totally fine
It's mostly just the HFTs which use C++ for building trading systems since speed is vital in this business. However, you will see several teams not focused on HFT using something other than C++. Python is quite prevalent in most of these firms
Do engineers in these teams make big $$?
Depends on how well you negotiate. Dont expect back office to make much more than what's expected tho
Two Sigma only requires that you use one of these for languages when you interview: Java, C, C++, or Python. You just choose whichever of those you prefer. Other than that no language requirement. Java is probably the most prominent language internally though of course some teams use C/C++. We have a bunch of open roles right now, if youâre interested apply directly and I bet youâd get invited into process pretty quickly based on your experience.
I don't know C++ at all fwiw. All of those companies will have positions that use C++ and positions that don't.
Tc and yoe?
What do you use
If you know another similar language (eg Java) you will probably be fine as long as you donât claim c++ knowledge. Youâll probably have to learn c++ if hired as a swe but you would still be able to clear the interview with Java
As long as your implementation can exceed the speed of current implementations you will provide value.