Software Engineer Interview Experience - Chicago, Illinois
November 21, 2025
Positive ExperienceNo Offer
Process
I applied online.
One coderpad, one phone screen, and then onsite. Onsite was 3 rounds. They took a long time after the HackerRank to get back, but after that, the process was quick.
Questions
Zapn standard coding challenge in HackerRank
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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.
5.0
Great Culture, Wlb, Comp
Software Engineer • Current Employee
Chicago, Illinois, United States
September 25, 2022
Pros: Great culture, work-life balance, and compensation.
Cons: There are not any I can think of.
4.0
Great Culture, Tough Balance
Software Engineer • Current Employee
Chicago, Illinois, United States
December 25, 2023
Pros: Good flat structure and culture
Cons: Work-life balance isn't always good.
- 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.
- 5.0Great Culture, Wlb, CompSoftware Engineer • Current EmployeeChicago, Illinois, United StatesSeptember 25, 2022Pros: Great culture, work-life balance, and compensation.Cons: There are not any I can think of.
- 4.0Great Culture, Tough BalanceSoftware Engineer • Current EmployeeChicago, Illinois, United StatesDecember 25, 2023Pros: Good flat structure and cultureCons: Work-life balance isn't always good.
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