Performance Engineer
About the job
- BS/MS/PhD in technical field - Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics, Engineering
- Strong C++ or Python programming background with demonstrated experience developing performant, scalable applications
- Experience analyzing and tuning operating systems, compilers, networking, IO subsystems, or accelerators
- Exposure to statistical and experimental methods and tools for testing performance
- The ability to work on cross-functional teams including Trading, Development, IT, and Quant
- The ability to react quickly and accurately to rapidly changing market conditions, including the ability to quickly and accurately respond and/or solve math and coding problems
- Contribute to the design and implementation of the trading engine by increasing its performance with projects such as benchmarking systems, evaluating new devices, latency and throughput analysis
- Develop tools and applications for benchmarking new devices and software
- Assist with performance troubleshooting and identify key opportunities for improvement
- Use a data driven approach to collaborate with relevant Trading, Quant, and Technology teams to expand and improve systems, footprint, and latency across different strategies and exchanges
- Review and analyze how we leverage our proprietary systems, identifying potential bottlenecks and considering how we can improve our technology stack to better our trading success
- Experience working in cross-functional teams including Trading, Quant, and Technology
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to react quickly and accurately to rapidly changing market conditions
About the company
Akuna Capital makes markets in options and futures with its own money, and it builds its trading software, pricing models, and strategies in-house. Its traders cover products from stock indexes and interest rates to commodities and cryptocurrencies, and besides its automated systems it keeps floor traders in Cboe's S&P 500 options pit. As a market maker, Akuna constantly quotes prices at which it will buy and sell, so other traders always find someone to trade with, and it profits from the small gap between those prices while hedging its risk. Australian traders first planned the firm in Sydney and opened its Chicago headquarters, in the center of US options trading, in 2011; its name is an Aboriginal word for flowing water.
Company Size
201-500
Company Stage
N/A
Total Funding
N/A
Headquarters
Chicago, Illinois
Founded
2011
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Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- Early hires shape a new desk: since April 2026, Akuna has sought researchers to price sports contracts on prediction markets.
- Staff equity vests fast: Akuna's stock options vest in one or two years, and 1.19 million vested in 2025.
- Juniors have a way in: 15 of Akuna's 39 open roles in October 2026 were internships or entry-level jobs.
What critics are saying
- Akuna lagged its market: its US contract volume grew 11% in the year to December 2025, versus 24% marketwide.
- Akuna's sports-desk jobs carry legal risk: in August 2026, appeals judges let Nevada block prediction market Kalshi's sports contracts.
- A key rival is far bigger: Dutch market maker Optiver's 2,233 staff made €4.6 billion in trading income in 2025.
What makes Akuna Capital unique
- A co-founder from rival Optiver still owns a big stake: Andrew Killion holds 25% to 50% of Akuna's parent.
- AI is welcome at work, not in hiring: Akuna disqualifies junior engineering candidates who use AI in interviews or tests.
- Most jobs sit in Chicago: 28 of Akuna's 39 open roles in October 2026, including every internship, were at headquarters.
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Benefits
Generous Paid Leave Policies - Vacation leave starting at 20 days per year that increases based on tenure, flexible sick leave, primary carer's leave starting at 12 weeks, and volunteer time off.
Medical & Retirement Packages - 100% coverage of monthly premiums for employees enrolled in Akuna's BlueCross BlueShield offerings and dental and vision plans, as well as a 401(k) plan with company match.
Wellness & Inclusion - Our employees have access to complimentary fitness and mindfulness events both in-person and virtually, as well as an in-building gym in our Chicago office. Additionally, our employee-led Culture Committee works together to continue building a healthy, positive, and inclusive work environment.
Continuing Education - We are proud to offer firm-wide classes through our Akuna U program, access to webinars, digital books, and case studies via Safari, opportunities to attend conferences, and tuition reimbursements to make sure you keep learning!
Social Events - We host happy hours, team outings and poker nights, sponsor a variety of employee-led clubs and sports teams, and offer volunteer opportunities to all employees.
Kitchen & Games Room - Catch up over a coffee made to order by our in-house barista and grab a bite to eat in our stocked kitchen, or challenge a fellow coworker to a friendly ping pong match in our games room!
Referral Bonuses - We want to reward you for helping us grow our awesome, hard-working team.
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