Tech IndustryAug 21, 2019
Red Hatjohnniewic

HFT vs Tech for ~5 YOE

Is it worth the jump from FANGUL to HFT just for $$$? I am SSWE with ~5 YOE(relevant) and usually among the top 10-20% performers in my current(and was at my past) team(s), and feel like I have a long way to go in terms of learning/building a solid tech career. Wanted to know if short term HFT monetory perks could outweigh long term career prospects. Mostly in terms of career stability and long term $$$$. P.S: I am “ok” with 60 hour work weeks. The problems at HFT seem interesting, but know nothing about their career path/tech talent. TC: GTFO.

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Facebook HotChips Aug 21, 2019

No, not as a SWE. If you're a quant, then yes. Exception - if you're working on low-latency optimization. That's a role where you directly contribute to revenue, your long-term compensation will reflect that. For a regular SWE at HFT, your comp won't be higher than FANG. But the skills you learn will be super specialized. Eg - no one in HFT is solving horizontal scaling problems. Your skills won't be directly useful outside finance. I was a quant at a top HFT firm for many years before FB.

Apple appl3 Aug 21, 2019

Really? Not sure if it’s the exception, but have heard multiple times that regular SWEs at Jane Street make more than FAANG, especially as you progress in your career there.

Facebook HotChips Aug 21, 2019

I know of data points both ways. If you're writing some OCaml market data parser, good luck earning more than FANG. However, if you're writing kernel drivers so network packets make it quickly to trading code, then yes. In expectation, I doubt it. Specially when adjusted for competence.

Dropbox bigbeans Aug 21, 2019

I heard career stability in Finance was also good for SWEs, and since you’re a top-performer, that should not be a big concern. I’m sure there are some HFT companies that have interesting problems to solve too. Maybe consider you’re there for the work, not for the money.

Red Hat johnniewic OP Aug 21, 2019

TBH money and Location(NYC) are the only things driving. I’ve lived in NYC and looking to go back, personal reasons.

Two Sigma mgre Aug 22, 2019

If you're interested you should interview and see if the offers make sense for you.

Red Hat johnniewic OP Aug 22, 2019

Yup, interviewing would clear most of my questions, but wanted to check the basics before I waste my life hours interviewing :)

Microsoft Hooli22 Dec 5, 2019

What's the update on this? I'm on the same boat. TC and NYC are the two parameters for me.