Software Engineer, Commodities Engineering

As a Software Engineer in Commodities Engineering at DRW, you will design, develop, and test proprietary trading software, working closely with traders, developers, and researchers. Your focus will be on developing infrastructure and tools that support the trading desk’s research and analysis workflows, ensuring that you deliver high business value while utilizing DRW’s existing in-house data analysis infrastructure.

For the Software Engineer role at DRW, candidates should have at least 5 years of full-stack experience in Java, or a minimum of 3 years of professional experience in Python. A solid grounding in engineering fundamentals is vital, alongside strong communication skills and the ability to work well in a team-oriented environment. Experience in the trading industry is preferred but not mandatory.

The annual base salary range for a Software Engineer at DRW is between $150,000 and $250,000. This range varies depending on the candidate’s experience, qualifications, and relevant skills. Additionally, the position is eligible for an annual discretionary bonus, enhancing the total compensation package.

A Software Engineer at DRW should have strong expertise in either Java or Python, with experiences such as building and maintaining software applications. Familiarity with TypeScript and React can be beneficial. While prior trading industry experience is preferred, those with a strong quantitative background and experience with cloud services like Kubernetes will find themselves at an advantage.

Communication is crucial for a Software Engineer at DRW, as the role involves direct collaboration with traders and other team members. Successful engineers not only need to convey technical concepts clearly but also understand the unique perspectives and needs of traders to create software that enhances their workflows.

In answering this question, emphasize specific projects or roles where you managed both frontend and backend aspects of software development. Discuss technologies you've used, challenges faced, and how you collaboratively delivered solutions.

Explain your approach to collaborating with stakeholders to gather requirements, using documentation, feedback loops, or iterative development processes, enhancing the final product's alignment with business objectives.

Discuss methodologies such as test-driven development, unit testing, and development of comprehensive logs. Mention specific tools or debugging techniques you find effective in identifying issues.

Detail a specific project that presented significant hurdles, outlining your problem-solving process. Discuss the technologies and approaches you used and the successful outcomes achieved.

Share resources, courses, or communities you engage with to stay updated. Mention how you apply new knowledge to your work environment, thereby contributing to innovation within the team.

Even if you don't have direct trading experience, relate any related industry experience and your understanding of the trader's perspective. Highlight how this insight influences your software design choices.

Discuss how you collaborate with diverse roles in software projects, showing keen understanding and respect for other disciplines. Include how this teamwork enhances project outcomes and company culture.

Talk about how you utilize project management tools, agile methodologies, or time management strategies to balance multiple priorities while ensuring quality output within deadlines.

Share your experiences with cloud platforms and containerization, focusing on specific projects where you implemented these technologies. Discuss the advantages and challenges faced in their usage.

Express your passion for problem-solving, innovation, and the satisfaction derived from seeing your software contribute to business goals. Sharing personal anecdotes can make your answer more engaging.