Process
First round: 60 minutes interviewed by a senior engineer lead. Went through the background and achievements of current work, and dove deep into the details of your descriptions. Friendly interviewer, very relaxing and comfortable.
Questions
Tell some achievements of your current work, and dive deep into the details of your descriptions.
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Interview Statistics
The following metrics were computed from 164 interview experiences for the Optiver Software Engineer role.
Success Rate
7%
Pass Rate
Optiver's interview process for their Software Engineer roles is extremely selective, failing the vast majority of engineers.
Experience Rating
Positive49%
Neutral30%
Negative21%
Candidates reported having very good feelings for Optiver's Software Engineer interview process.
Optiver Work Experiences
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.
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 company to work for
Software Engineer • Current Employee
Chicago, Illinois, United States
April 20, 2021
Pros: Good work-life balance, good pay.
Cons: Technical debt in older projects (effort is starting to go into it). The bonus only comes once a year.
- 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.
- 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 company to work forSoftware Engineer • Current EmployeeChicago, Illinois, United StatesApril 20, 2021Pros: Good work-life balance, good pay.Cons: Technical debt in older projects (effort is starting to go into it). The bonus only comes once a year.
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