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Trade Systems Engineer

DRW · Chicago, IL · $85,000–$125,000 a year · Trading Platform Tech Ops – CHIP Support

Posted Aug 19, 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

As markets move toward 24x7 trading, we are expanding support coverage. How do you feel about off-hours shifts, and how would you stay sharp on them?

What they are checking: Whether they understand and accept the coverage model the posting describes, and can work well on it.

Tell me about a time you worked with several teams to resolve a technical problem.

What they are checking: Whether they can coordinate across trading, infrastructure and developers, as the role requires.

Tell me about a time you had to learn a complex system quickly.

What they are checking: Learning ability, since the role is described as a chance to learn and grow.

What would you do

A trader says their orders are not reaching the exchange. What do you check, and in what order?

What they are checking: A logical path through the application, network, session and exchange status under time pressure.

An exchange announces a change to its connectivity next month. How would you prepare?

What they are checking: Whether they plan testing, coordination and rollback before a change instead of reacting on the day.

How do you communicate with a stressed trader while you are still figuring out the problem?

What they are checking: Whether they give clear updates and expected timelines without overpromising.

About the work

What is FIX, and what would you look for in a FIX log when an order is rejected?

What they are checking: Basic protocol knowledge that lets them read the messages trading systems actually exchange.

How comfortable are you on the Linux command line? Show me how you would find errors in a large log file.

What they are checking: Practical skill with grep, tail and similar tools used every day in trade support.

How would you write a simple script to check that our trading systems are up before the market opens?

What they are checking: Whether they can automate routine checks rather than doing them by hand each morning.

What makes a good handoff between shifts in a support team?

What they are checking: Whether they understand that open issues must be written down clearly when coverage runs around the clock.

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The full job description

As published by DRW.

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. As a Trade Systems Engineer , you’ll have the opportunity to learn and grow while supporting our trading technology. You’ll work closely with trading, infrastructure, and software development teams to keep systems running smoothly. You’ll gain experience working with exchanges, traders, and developers to help resolve technical issues and assist with ongoing improvements. As markets evolve toward 24×7 trading, we’re expanding coverage to ensure our systems run smoothly during high impact periods that extend beyond the traditional Monday–Friday schedule. In this role, you’ll have the opportunity to work a non-traditional 5-day shift, depending on what best fits your schedule. This flexible coverage model allows you to make a critical impact during peak trading hours while enjoying off days during quieter parts of the week. Qualifications & Skills: • 1–3 years of experience in trade support, systems administration, site reliability engineering, or a related technical role (internships or projects count!) • Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related STEM field • Basic understanding of networking concepts (TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP) and ability to use common troubleshooting tools • Exposure to containerized applications (e.g., Docker, Kubernetes) is a plus • Ability to think through and troubleshoot technical problems under time pressure • Clear communication skills, written and verbal • Familiarity with scripting languages (e.g., Python, Bash, PowerShell) for basic automation tasks • Experience with Linux/Unix environments (basic command line skills) What You’ll Be Working On: • Keeping trading systems healthy and available by proactively spotting and resolving potential issues • Responding to trader and engineer request with both urgency and understanding of the bigger operational context • Participating in the onboarding of new desks and systems, thinking ahead about how they’ll fit into the broader ecosystem • Learning the trading environment deeply so you can anticipate challenges and suggest improvements What we Value: • Intent over Instruction: we’ll share what we’re trying to achieve; you’ll help determine the best way to get there • Responsibility and trustworthiness: you follow through and communicate progress and results clearly • Continuous learning and adaptability: when conditions change, you adjust while keeping the mission in mind • Collaboration: you seek input when needed but are comfortable making informed decisions yourself About You: • You enjoy diagnosing problems and thinking creatively about solutions • You’re excited about fast-moving environments and want to see your work make an impact quickly • You learn by doing and feel comfortable diving into unfamiliar technology Schedule : • The shift will be Monday-Friday. • This position will require working on weekends and providing holiday coverage as needed by the department. • The orientation schedule will vary between 09:00-18:30 and 15:00-23:00. • After orientation, the permanent shift will be 08:00 – 17:00. The annual base salary range for this position is $85,000 - $125,000, depending on the candidate’s experience, qualifications, and relevant skill set. The position is also eligible for an annual discretionary bonus. In addition, DRW offers a comprehensive suite of employee benefits including group medical, pharmacy, dental and vision insurance, 401k (with discretionary employer match), short and long-term disability, life and AD&D insurance, health savings accounts, and flexible spending accounts.  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-TL

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