Getting a Job as a Quant Trader
I work in Digital Signal Processing and Machine Learning for a big defense company. I have been doing signal processing and machine learning design and implementation on embedded systems for about a decade now in the same space. I have been thinking about jumping ship and getting into some sort of quantitative trading or some other type of quantitative role in the finance sector. I have my own little portfolio and market models (mostly Markowitz style stuff and momentum type stuff), but I've never done anything professionally. My models don't even work super well haha but I'm really interested in learning from people who do actually know things. Do you think it is possible to change areas like this? If so, what job titles would you recommend I target and what companies? Is there anything I should study up on before starting to apply? Thanks! #finance #careerchange #interview TC: 200K YOE: 10 years Skills: Mathematics (Probability, Complex Analysis, Real Analysis, Calculus, Convex / Nonconvex / Global Optimization etc) Signal Processing (Filter Design, Signal Detection, Fourier Transforms, Parameter Estimation, Target Tracking with Kalman Filters etc) Machine Learning (Bayesian Analysis, Variational Clustering, Classification with and designing/implementing/training SVMs and Neural Nets, Evolutionary Programming etc) Coding (C/C++ Programming, Python programming, Linux scripting)
YOE + education?
YOE? I've got a PhD in EE. Sorry I just joined blind and don't know the lingo yet.
Years of experience
I would outline what skills you’re using in your current role, then look for roles requiring math/data mining in finance and see which are transferable. I think it’ll be easier to get into a data heavy role in finance first as the first step and then switch internally into more competitive trading once you establish connections. Data driven roles are harder to fill so an easier in.
That is what I was thinking. I am just curious if any of my skills would actually be transferable, and I figured asked people who actually work in the biz would be the best way to go about figuring that out.
I would list your education and skills. You can’t expect those in finance to know what you do by that description in a completely different industry. They don’t know that industry. Better yet, look up a few data driven job listings in finance and try to do the legwork yourself to match the requirements listed.
You have most of the skills required for a junior quant trader. Play on your strengths, and apply!
Good to know -- Do you know what the salary range for a junior quant might be?
I believe the initial salary would be similar to your current TC, since it is a junior role. It will shoot up quite fast, based on your performance (taking a % of total pnl). It is a nice career, and specifically since you have a strong interest, you would enjoy writing those trading strategies, and hopefully be a successful quant trader.
Tc?
Just added. Its around 200K.