Software Engineering at trading firms
What are the long term growth prospects of a software developer at a trading firm and what are the exit options. I am talking of roles like C++ developer. Should one join these firms in software role or is it better staying in product based companies. I am a SDE-1 at a unicorn startup but have experience in finance through internship.
Some PROS that I can think of :
1. Better compensation
2. Writing code which involves more logic and hence intellectually stimulating.
Some Cons:
1. You support traders and hence are not central revenue generating part of the business
2. Bad work life balance
3. Less no of exit options.
The above list is based on hearsay. Can someone who knows these things better help
Pros:
1. Yes crazy compensation
2. Won't say "logical", but extremely optimised, working at lowest levels of architecture so you have crystal image of what actually goes on
Cons:
1. True, but not many would complain because you're not in the firing line of strats don't work
2. Yep. Dreadful wlb
3. Usually it goes like HFT -> hedge funds/investment banks -> big tech
Zod
Stealth
a year ago
Yup compensation is good. If you are considering switching here. There are few firms hiring in Hong Kong and Singapore
Afaik the work experience you get there is irrelevant for other fields. The money is great tho, so if you're planning to stay in there then join.
