Likelihood of Receiving Bonus at Prop Trading Companies (DRW, Optiver, etc.)

Amazon / Eng
sleave

Go to company page Amazon Eng

sleave
Oct 25, 2020 16 Comments

I understand that the typical compensation at a proprietary trading firm is something like:
$base + $cash bonus = $total compensation

I'd love to hear from recent employees at some of the more established proprietary trading firms as to how often full bonuses are granted. In recent years, has it been pretty much every year?

Also, do some firms include more bonus if they do well?
#finance #drw #optiver #imc #akunacapital #citadel

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TOP 16 Comments
  • Citadel
    BrutеForce

    Go to company page Citadel

    BrutеForce
    Aways getting a bonus, unless market does really bad.

    2008 was that kinda year. Otherwise it was pretty stable.
    Unlike two sigma, Citadel doesn't need a soft way to tell you to leave. So if you survived the year - your getting a bonus.
    Oct 26, 2020 4
  • The bonus structure is a way of increasing the employers flexibility in adjusting compensation and to reduce incentives to leave mid year. Bonuses can fall somewhat due to poor performance of the company, but if you receive no bonus, it's a soft way of telling you to leave.
    Oct 26, 2020 0
  • Citadel
    Eleventeen

    Go to company page Citadel

    Eleventeen
    There’s no “full bonus” after the first year. You’re almost guaranteed that first year bonus, but beyond that, the sky is the limit. If your bonus isn’t on track to grow substantially, you will probably get fired.
    Oct 26, 2020 1
    • What is the median bonus like. Sky is the limit is very vague..... like the sky is the limit technically at fb too, but it’s pretty *rare* that someone goes E3->8 in 8 years...

      Like what’s the avg case look like
      Dec 22, 2020
  • Citadel
    ALk123

    Go to company page Citadel

    ALk123
    At Citadel, I haven't heard of anyone not getting what they were promised and it's not uncommon for people to earn more than that.
    Oct 26, 2020 0
  • Uber
    d47gj8

    Go to company page Uber

    d47gj8
    uh why are there no numbers in this entire post. look on any other swe salary post youll see everyone posting anything from 100k-5M. numbers too embarrassing to post?
    Oct 28, 2020 3
    • Uber
      d47gj8

      Go to company page Uber

      d47gj8
      I would say 275 at quant firm is less ideal than 275 at FANG due to stress and real 40hr weeks (or worse). But if that is your only option then sure.
      Oct 29, 2020
    • Amazon / Eng
      puds

      Go to company page Amazon Eng

      puds
      Yeah, I haven't worked 40 hrs a week in years at Amazon. I'm oncall for a pretty high visibility service 25% of my time and it's never an easy oncall. For me the offer is a better short and long term career option and knowing that the comp target will be met helps alot.
      Oct 30, 2020