Lead Data Architect
Company Summary
Optiver is seeking a Lead Data Architect to join its Chicago office and play a critical role in advancing the firm's data enablement and research capabilities. As a global market maker operating across 100+ exchanges, Optiver combines cutting-edge technology with world-class talent to improve market liquidity, pricing, and transparency.
In this Lead Data Architect position, you will sit at the intersection of data engineering, quant research, and trading-owning the architecture and evolution of high-performance data systems that directly power real-time decision-making.
Responsibilities
Architect, build, and maintain scalable ETL/ELT pipelines using PySpark, Databricks, and Delta Lake
Transform research workflows into production-grade data systems optimized for performance and reliability
Develop and optimize streaming and batch data pipelines (Structured Streaming, Kafka)
Define and enforce data engineering best practices and standards across teams
Collaborate closely with quant researchers, traders, and global engineering teams
Create reusable frameworks, templates, and onboarding pathways for data users
Mentor engineers and drive a culture of DataOps excellence and continuous improvement
Qualifications
5+ years of experience in data engineering or data platform roles
Advanced skills in:
Python (PySpark)
Apache Spark & Databricks
ETL/ELT pipeline development at scale
Strong understanding of:
Streaming technologies (Kafka, Spark Streaming)
Cloud data architectures (preferably AWS)
Delta Lake / Lakehouse design
Experience with distributed systems and performance optimization
Proven ability to own and deliver complex projects independently
Strong communication skills with experience partnering across technical teams
Nice to have:
Experience with C++ or Rust
Exposure to MLOps / MLflow
Background in high-performance environments (trading firms, advanced data platforms, or similar)
Benefits
Competitive total compensation of $400K-$700K+
401(k) match up to 50%
Comprehensive health, dental, vision, and mental health coverage
25 days of paid vacation + market holidays
Daily meals, snacks, and a highly collaborative office environment
Regular social events, clubs, and sports leagues
Opportunity to work with top talent across Chicago, Amsterdam, and Sydney
If you're a hands-on data architect looking to build systems that directly power trading decisions and generate real-world impact, we want to hear from you.
Apply now or reach out for a confidential discussion.
FAQs
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