Software Engineer Interview Experience - Chicago, Illinois
February 23, 2026
Positive ExperienceNo Offer
Process
I applied online. The process took 3 weeks.
Pretty streamlined that consisted of an OA, behavioral, and tech screen. Very standard behavioral questions. Standard C++ LC medium question about implementing a class, analyzing time and space complexity, and explaining optimizations.
Questions
Why Optiver? Why this industry?
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Interview Statistics
The following metrics were computed from 25 interview experiences for the Optiver Software Engineer role in Chicago, Illinois.
Success Rate
4%
Pass Rate
Optiver's interview process for their Software Engineer roles in Chicago, Illinois is extremely selective, failing the vast majority of engineers.
Experience Rating
Positive76%
Neutral20%
Negative4%
Candidates reported having very good feelings for Optiver's Software Engineer interview process in Chicago, Illinois.
Optiver Work Experiences
5.0
Putting people around the problem
Software Engineer • Current Employee
Chicago, Illinois, United States
September 9, 2017
Pros: People figure out how to own and solve problems; they aren't told how to solve them from top down.
Great people (traders and engineers) to work with, a respectful environment even when chaotic, and smart people who leave their egos at the door.
High pay and benefits.
Work/life balance, even in senior roles.
Promotions and bonuses based on merit, not longevity or connections.
As an engineer, you have the resources to build really well-engineered systems.
Cons: - Very competitive industry; a solution that worked last year needs constant improvement to work next year.
- We are never done solving a problem; it's a moving target.
- It is hard to measure improvements to systems in a constantly changing market.
- Sometimes we decide to throw away code we worked hard on, which can be tough.
4.0
Great Pay, Intense Culture
Software Engineer • Current Employee
Chicago, Illinois, United States
August 22, 2024
Pros: Compensation and growth opportunities, along with many responsibilities, are provided to juniors.
Cons: Intense culture, with less than optimal work-life balance.
4.0
Good comp, be ready to work for it
Software Engineer • Current Employee
Chicago, Illinois, United States
December 20, 2023
Pros: Coworkers work very hard and are very smart. This may be a con if you want to get ahead or coast somewhere, as this is not that place.
Cons: Politics at many levels; promotions/leveling seem arbitrary.
Various senior hires made that get paid 2x or 4x what people who started out of college and have been working a few years make. These senior hires do not contribute 2x or 4x the value.
- 5.0Putting people around the problemSoftware Engineer • Current EmployeeChicago, Illinois, United StatesSeptember 9, 2017Pros: People figure out how to own and solve problems; they aren't told how to solve them from top down. Great people (traders and engineers) to work with, a respectful environment even when chaotic, and smart people who leave their egos at the door. High pay and benefits. Work/life balance, even in senior roles. Promotions and bonuses based on merit, not longevity or connections. As an engineer, you have the resources to build really well-engineered systems.Cons: - Very competitive industry; a solution that worked last year needs constant improvement to work next year. - We are never done solving a problem; it's a moving target. - It is hard to measure improvements to systems in a constantly changing market. - Sometimes we decide to throw away code we worked hard on, which can be tough.
- 4.0Great Pay, Intense CultureSoftware Engineer • Current EmployeeChicago, Illinois, United StatesAugust 22, 2024Pros: Compensation and growth opportunities, along with many responsibilities, are provided to juniors.Cons: Intense culture, with less than optimal work-life balance.
- 4.0Good comp, be ready to work for itSoftware Engineer • Current EmployeeChicago, Illinois, United StatesDecember 20, 2023Pros: Coworkers work very hard and are very smart. This may be a con if you want to get ahead or coast somewhere, as this is not that place.Cons: Politics at many levels; promotions/leveling seem arbitrary. Various senior hires made that get paid 2x or 4x what people who started out of college and have been working a few years make. These senior hires do not contribute 2x or 4x the value.
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