Principal Volatility Overlay Architect / Senior Quant Researcher

Principal Volatility Overlay Architect / Senior Quant Researcher

Location :

Chicago (preferred) or New York

Team Size : ~25

Hiring Focus :

Lateral, experienced talent only

Base pay range :

$250,000.00 / yr - $300,000.00 / yr

About the Firm

My client is one of the world's leading proprietary trading firms — a technology-driven, research-focused organization with deep expertise across global derivatives markets. The firm operates at the intersection of quantitative research, high-performance engineering, and risk optimization, leveraging cutting-edge data science and infrastructure to deliver consistent, superior returns.

The Role

My client are seeking a Principal Volatility Overlay Architect / Senior Quant Researcher to play a principal role within their Volatility Overlay team, a specialized group responsible for modeling, pricing, and risk-managing volatility exposures across their global options portfolios.

Working alongside exceptional quantitative researchers, traders, and engineers, you will contribute to the development and enhancement of models, data pipelines, and systematic frameworks that drive execution and risk decisions across strategies. This high-impact, lateral hire opportunity is designed for experienced researchers or developers with demonstrated success in derivatives, volatility, or systematic trading environments.

Key Responsibilities

Lead research and model development within the Volatility Overlay team, collaborating with senior quants and traders.

Build and optimize Python-based research frameworks and production-quality analytics tools.

Design, test, and deploy statistical and machine learning models for volatility estimation, hedging, and scenario analysis.

Integrate research outputs into live trading systems through robust code, data validation, and performance tuning.

Partner cross-functionally with engineering and trading to improve workflow efficiency and strategy scalability.

Qualifications

8+ years of experience in a top-tier trading, hedge fund, or market-making environment.

Strong quantitative foundation (Math, Physics, CS, or related discipline).

Advanced proficiency in Python, including scientific libraries (NumPy, Pandas, SciPy, etc.) and production code standards.

Deep understanding of volatility products, derivatives modeling, and risk management concepts.

Experience working with large-scale data and complex, performance-sensitive systems.

Proven ability to collaborate with and influence senior peers in highly technical teams.

Preferred

Prior experience in volatility overlay, options market-making, or quantitative delta management teams.

Background in both research and engineering, with the ability to bridge theory and implementation.

Experience in C++ or other high-performance languages a plus.

Why Join

Opportunity to take a lead role in a deeply technical, high-performing team.

Collaborate with some of the strongest quantitative minds in the industry.

Competitive compensation with exceptional upside potential.

Autonomy, ownership, and access to top-tier data and infrastructure.

If this sounds like you or you know someone of interest - please get in touch!

Seniority level : Director

Employment type : Full-time

Job function :

Engineering, Research, and Finance

Industries :

Financial Services and Capital Markets

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