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Quantitative Trading Analyst Intern

DRW · Chicago, IL · Campus Trading Analyst

Posted Sep 24, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

You'd work on a desk combining technology, research and risk management. Why does a trader need all three?

What they are checking: Understanding of the modern trader role and genuine interest in it.

Tell me about a time you took a calculated risk. How did you size it?

What they are checking: Comfort with risk and an instinct for sizing, which matters in trading.

Tell me about a project where you worked closely with others to solve a hard problem.

What they are checking: Teamwork, since interns work on small teams with traders and researchers.

What do you think separates a sustainable trader from one who has a lucky streak?

What they are checking: Mature understanding of process, risk and discipline, which the posting emphasizes.

What would you do

You make a decision on the desk and it loses money quickly. How do you react?

What they are checking: Emotional control after a loss and the habit of learning from it instead of chasing it back.

At the end of the internship you'll present to senior leadership. How would you structure that presentation?

What they are checking: Clear communication of results, including limitations, to senior people.

About the work

We play a game: you roll a die and win the face value, or you can reroll once. What's your strategy and expected value?

What they are checking: Quick expected value reasoning, a common way trading firms test decision making.

How would you approach a project applying machine learning to market tick data?

What they are checking: Realistic thinking about noisy, high-frequency data rather than just naming algorithms.

How would you curate and analyze macroeconomic data to inform a trading view?

What they are checking: Practical approach to data quality and relevance, which the posting names as one project type.

Make a market on the number of windows in this building.

What they are checking: Estimation skill and the ability to quote a sensible bid and ask under uncertainty.

Practice this interview out loud.

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The full job description

As published by DRW.

Our formula for success is to hire exceptional people, encourage their ideas and reward their results. As a Quantitative Trading Analyst Intern , you will gain exposure to the dynamic worlds of trading and technology in order to learn what it takes to become a successful and sustainable trader. You will work on a small team to combine the disciplines of technology, research and risk management to identify optimal trading and investment strategies within the regulatory framework through a series of project based assignments. At the conclusion of 10 weeks, you will have the opportunity to present your results to senior leadership at DRW. While your days will have you engrossed with complex quantitative trading projects, your evenings will be spent exploring the city with organized social events to truly discover what it’s like to live and work in Chicago, Greenwich & New York. How you will make an impact… • Collaborate with senior traders, technologists and quantitative researchers by developing and improving trading strategies by working directly on the trading desk • Identify and research in the development of cutting-edge market research projects using powerful analytic tools • Market research projects vary from macroeconomic data curation and analysis to application of machine learning techniques to market tick data for automated trading • Be given immediate responsibility through assignments like position tracking, calculating risk, and analyzing vital theoretical values What you bring to the team… • Are pursuing a bachelor’s, master’s or PhD in mathematics, economics, physics, statistics, computer science or any engineering related field and have an expected graduation date between December 2027 and June 2028 • Advanced quantitative, analytical and problem-solving skills and the ability to deploy those skills under time-sensitive situations • Proficient programming in Python • Are self-motivated, enjoy challenges and significant responsibility, and thrive in fast-paced, competitive environments • A passion for the financial markets and a deep curiosity to explore new methodologies • Strong communication skills to advocate your ideas in a clear and concise manner to the group What to expect during the internship • Meaningful projects: Each project, advised by a trader, promotes a comprehensive learning experience and provides you with real-world work experience. • Community: Throughout the summer, we host a variety of educational, social and team-building activities to explore the city, foster friendships and camaraderie. • Housing: DRW provides fully furnished apartments located close to the office – making your morning commute as easy as possible. • Mentorship: You’ll build a professional relationship with an experienced mentor in your field. Mentors and mentees meet to discuss goals, challenges and professional development and explore the city together at our mentor outings. • Education: As the trading industry continually evolves, both in terms of new products and transaction methods, the future will present us with unique opportunities and challenges. You’ll complete an options course taught by an experienced trader and participate in a technology immersion course to better understand how technology and trading intersect. DRW is a diversified trading firm with over 3 decades of experience bringing sophisticated technology and exceptional people together to operate in markets around the world.  We value autonomy and the ability to quickly pivot to capture opportunities, so we operate using our own capital and trading at our own risk.  Headquartered in Chicago with offices throughout the U.S., Canada, Europe, and Asia, we trade a variety of asset classes including Fixed Income, ETFs, Equities, FX, Commodities and Energy across all major global markets. We have also leveraged our expertise and technology to expand into three non-traditional strategies: real estate, venture capital and cryptoassets.  We operate with respect, curiosity and open minds. The people who thrive here share our belief that it’s not just what we do that matters–it's how we do it.  DRW is a place of high expectations, integrity, innovation and a willingness to challenge consensus.      The annual base salary for this position is $250,000. For more information about DRW's processing activities and our use of job applicants' data, please view our Privacy Notice at https://drw.com/privacy-notice . California residents, please review the California Privacy Notice for information about certain legal rights at  https://drw.com/california-privacy-notice . #LI-DNI

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