Pros: There is a free lunch and an ok work-life balance.

Cons: The payment is not as good as tech companies.

Pros: SIG seems to genuinely value its employees and does their best to support them when possible.

Cons: Salaries can be lower than similar companies.

Pros: No overseeing single architect. Each team is able to solve problems as they see fit (of course in a manner that integrates with other teams). We have Oracle, Sql Server, MySql, C#, C++, Perl, Ruby, Python, Linux, WIndows, Access, Multicast, Web farms, VM farms. if it works and makes sense and can make money... go for it. Perfect mix of "down to earth" people, who are also the smartest you will work with in one place. Big enough to be involved in all aspects of Wall Street and advanced technologies, but teams are small enough that no one developer feels lost in huge projects. The business is incredibly accessible. Questions on option trading, how an app should function, just go and talk to the key business people. Not only will they help you, they will respect you for taking the time to engage them. 3 weeks vacation to start. plus personal days. Plus unlimited sick days. It doesnt take 3 years to complete every project! People are geared to make things happen. At many levels technologists are catered to as the business recognizes the value they bring. Currently all developers moving to Quad Core Win 7 64 bit machines. Ya want it, request it, you got it. You don't need 1000 levels of approvals. "I need 4 monitors because.." and 2 days later the monitors show up. FREE LUNCH! Actually, breakfast too! Key aspect... the entrepreneurial spirit carries into technology. In just my short 5 years there I have seen many new university hires quickly gain new positions, or moved into advanced system development. If you can do the job the opportunities aren't there VERY competitive salaries for the Philadelphia Market place. Not as high as New York, but higher than the majority of Philadelphia technology firms. Technologists PARTNER with the business. Many times the business gives general ideas "We'd like to start trading _____ " and tech is sort've like industry experts to say "how about this... did you consider this... how about we do this first, then move on to...."

Cons: The same entrepreneurial spirit and autonomy can sometimes lead to frustration in getting dependent teams on the same page and schedule. A problem everywhere, but SIG moves through it with common sense. For those that want a structured promotion plan, SIG could be frustrating, There isn't a multi-level structure of "You did good this year so now you are Computer Scientist Level III". If you want that, go to Computer Science corporation. If you are kicking butt, you'll see it in your paycheck. If you want to be told what to do all the time... SIG isn't for you. Requirements aren't always solid. Business doesn't always know what they want. Technologists are expected to know technology AND the business. Many time (most) times technologists have to drive requirements and considerations. Techies who love this process do well SIG. You want to be handed a contractual like requirements document, look elsewhere. Mixed into the amazing technologies, are processes and applications that were put together quickly to meet an immediate need. You may need to support them, or build your own hack n slash at times.