If yes, does the company have processes that allows a tech person to move into trading / IB and other more traditional finance roles?
First of all -- only a tiny percentage of people will make partner. Be realistic about your chances. I personally know lots of people who started in technology and then transitioned to trading. I personally know lots of people from technology who are Managing Directors (which is one step down from partner). And if you count strats as technology, then I personally know two strats partners. But you phrased your question wrong -- the goal shouldn't be to join in tech and then move to trading / IB. Tech is no longer necessarily a cost center -- there's lots of people in tech (especially electronic trading and Marquee) who are more valuable than many traders/IB, so there's no need to switch out of tech (unless you simply don't enjoy tech). If you want to do trading or IB, then do that. Join their tech department cause you like tech, not because you want a stepping stone to something else.
Not necessarily implying that I overestimate my chances at being partner, rather I want to keep doing what I like doing without feeling limiting my growth in a company. If that's the case then for the same TC I'll just join janestreet capital or two sigma / citadel
But as far as I know no roles in tech, go up to 900,000 base plus 10s of millions in bonuses. So if I want to make that much money I have to do investment banking it seems.
only way to become a tech partner is laterally coming in as a tech partner or a tech MD. otherwise itโs probably not gonna happen.
We do have traders who are former tech people
In Solomon's Goldman, only people who bring in actual dollars are considered for partnership. Everyone else is a cost, including Tech.
How easy is it for someone in tech to transition?
Pretty hard, unless you are recruited for a strategy role or are an individual contributor.