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Software Engineer (C++ or Python) – 2027 Grads

Hudson River Trading · Chicago, IL · Campus

Posted Oct 1, 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

Tell me about a project you built in your spare time. What was the hardest part?

What they are checking: Whether they truly love coding and tinkering, which the posting puts first.

Tell me about a time you found a bug that was really hard to track down.

What they are checking: Whether they have a methodical approach to debugging under uncertainty.

Tell me about a time someone pushed you to improve your code. How did you respond?

What they are checking: Whether they welcome tough feedback, since the posting values people who push each other.

What would you do

A trading system you own crashes during market hours. What do you do first?

What they are checking: Whether they think about stopping harm quickly before finding the root cause.

About the work

Design a data structure that supports insert, delete and get-random in constant time. Walk me through it as you code.

What they are checking: Whether they can reason about data structure trade-offs and write correct code while explaining it.

Here is a function that is slower than it should be. How would you figure out why and make it faster?

What they are checking: Whether they can read unfamiliar code, measure before guessing and improve it.

In C++, what happens in memory when you push into a vector that is full?

What they are checking: Whether they understand what their code does underneath, which matters for low-latency systems.

How would you design a system that receives market data updates and keeps the best bid and offer for thousands of symbols?

What they are checking: Whether they can describe a design at a high level and down to step-by-step detail.

Write a function to merge k sorted streams and explain its time complexity.

What they are checking: Whether they know core algorithms like heaps and can analyze performance correctly.

What is a race condition, and how would you prevent one in a multithreaded program?

What they are checking: Whether they understand concurrency basics that matter in fast real-time systems.

Practice this interview out loud.

Offer builds a real interview for this exact role at Hudson River Trading from your resume and this job description, asks the questions one at a time, and tells you what landed. The first one is free.

Practice this out loud

The full job description

As published by Hudson River Trading.

Hudson River Trading (HRT) is seeking talented Software Engineers to join our teams in New York, London, and Singapore. As a Software Engineer at HRT, the code you write is our business. Our software engineers create and maintain critical technology and infrastructure that is integral to the success of our trading. In this role, you will work closely with other engineers across the firm who design trading algorithms and monitor trading in an extremely fast-paced, real-time environment. Ideal candidates are smart programmers who love to code, enjoy being challenged, and can thrive in an open and collaborative environment. Profile • In your spare time you: code, tinker, read, explore, break things, and have an insatiable curiosity for all things computer-related — you'll find like-minded people here • You are capable of working independently and as part of a team to analyze and fix problems quickly • You can look at code, figure out how it works, and identify how to make it better • You can describe software designs at a high level (the abstract interface), low level (step-by-step algorithm), and anywhere in between • You enjoy working with people who push you to be better at what you do Qualifications • You are a full-time undergraduate or master’s student studying computer science (or a related field) who is eligible for full-time roles in 2027 • Excellent design, debugging, and problem solving skills • Working experience with C/C++ or Python is required, as are good CS fundamentals • Knowledge of UNIX operating systems (we use Linux), system/processor performance, and network communication • Interest in low-level architecture, logic design, and/or verification is a plus Base salary for US is $300,000. Other locations have similarly locally competitive base salaries. A sign-on and discretionary performance bonus will be provided as part of the total compensation package, in addition to company-paid medical and/or other benefits. We do not allow multiple applications. Please apply to the ONE role you are most interested in and we will consider you for all open positions when reviewing your application. Culture <span data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Hudson River Trading (HRT) brings a scientific approach to trading financial products. We have built one of the world's most sophisticated computing environments for research and development. Our researchers are at the forefront of innovation in the world of algorithmic trading. \n\nAt HRT we come from a variety of disciplines: mathematics and computer science, physics, and engineering, media and tech. We’re a community of self-starters who are motivated by the excitement of being at the cutting edge of automation in every part of our organization - from trading, to business operations, to recruiting and beyond. Our culture celebrates great ideas whether they come from HRT veterans or new hires. At HRT we’re friends and colleagues – whether we are sharing a meal, playing the latest board game, or writing elegant code. We embrace a culture of togetherness that extends far beyond the walls of our office.\n\nFeel like you belong at HRT? Our goal is to find the best people and bring them together to do great work in a place where everyone is valued. HRT is proud of our diverse staff; we have offices all over the globe and benefit from our varied and unique perspectives. HRT is an equal opportunity employer; so whoever you are we’d love to get to know you."}" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":13185,"3":{"1":0},"10":1,"11":4,"12":0,"15":"IBM Plex Sans","16":11}" data-sheets-textstyleruns="{"1":0}{"1":328,"2":{"2":{"1":2,"2":16711935}}}{"1":402}{"1":917,"2":{"2":{"1":2,"2":16711935}}}{"1":945}">Hudson River Trading (HRT) brings a scientific approach to trading financial products. We have built one of the world's most sophisticated computing environments for research and development. Our researchers are at the forefront of innovation in the world of algorithmic trading. At HRT we welcome a variety of expertise: mathematics and computer science, physics and engineering, media and tech. We’re a community of self-starters who are motivated by the excitement of being at the cutting edge of automation in every part of our organization—from trading, to business operations, to recruiting and beyond. We value openness and transparency, and celebrate great ideas from HRT veterans and new hires alike. At HRT we’re friends and colleagues – whether we are sharing a meal, playing the latest board game, or writing elegant code. We embrace a culture of togetherness that extends far beyond the walls of our office. Feel like you belong at HRT? Our goal is to find the best people and bring them together to do great work in a place where everyone is valued. HRT is proud of our diverse staff; we have offices all over the globe and benefit from our varied and unique perspectives. HRT is an equal opportunity employer; so whoever you are we’d love to get to know you. Please be advised: Use of AI tools by an applicant during interviews or assessments is strictly prohibited, unless otherwise instructed or agreed upon. We employ various methods to evaluate the authenticity of candidate responses. If we determine that AI assistance was used by an applicant during an interview or an assessment, we reserve the right to immediately end the interview or assessment, disqualify the applicant’s candidacy and/or rescind any job offers extended. <span data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Hudson River Trading (HRT) brings a scientific approach to trading financial products. We have built one of the world's most sophisticated computing environments for research and development. Our researchers are at the forefront of innovation in the world of algorithmic trading. \n\nAt HRT we come from a variety of disciplines: mathematics and computer science, physics, and engineering, media and tech. We’re a community of self-starters who are motivated by the excitement of being at the cutting edge of automation in every part of our organization - from trading, to business operations, to recruiting and beyond. Our culture celebrates great ideas whether they come from HRT veterans or new hires. At HRT we’re friends and colleagues – whether we are sharing a meal, playing the latest board game, or writing elegant code. We embrace a culture of togetherness that extends far beyond the walls of our office.\n\nFeel like you belong at HRT? Our goal is to find the best people and bring them together to do great work in a place where everyone is valued. HRT is proud of our diverse staff; we have offices all over the globe and benefit from our varied and unique perspectives. HRT is an equal opportunity employer; so whoever you are we’d love to get to know you."}" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":13185,"3":{"1":0},"10":1,"11":4,"12":0,"15":"IBM Plex Sans","16":11}" data-sheets-textstyleruns="{"1":0}{"1":328,"2":{"2":{"1":2,"2":16711935}}}{"1":402}{"1":917,"2":{"2":{"1":2,"2":16711935}}}{"1":945}">You can review our Global Applicant Privacy Notice , which explains how we process applicant information. &nbsp;

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