Big dreams of Big Tech
You did it. You spent years studying computer science, dreaming of working for the likes of Google, Meta (formerly, Facebook), or Amazon. You fine-tuned your craft, became one of the best in your field, and – eventually – a software engineer within the Big Tech workforce.
Then, 2023 arrived.
Maybe, you were one of the many engineers to be made redundant. Or, perhaps, you remained, whilst, one-by-one, your colleagues logged on to find out they’d be laid off.
This might mean that you’re looking for your next challenge, but Big Tech has raised the bar for you; you’ll need a role which offers enough mental stimulation, and an equally (if not more) attractive compensation package.
So, whether you’re an ex-FAANG (Facebook, Amazon, Apple, Netflix, Google) employee or thinking about your next move, the question remains: where do software engineers go after working at Big Tech?
Enter high-frequency trading (HFT) firms.
HFT is a type of algorithmic financial trading, characterised by high speeds, high turnover rates and high order-to-trade ratios. It leverages high-frequency financial data, as well as electronic trading tools and software – which is where software engineers come in.
The high-stakes, high-reward nature of HFT means that working there is a bit like competing at the highest level of sport.
But that’s not where the comparison between HFT firms and professional sporting ends. In fact, there are various ways in which the two are similar – and why, as an elite software engineer, HFT could be for you.
High-frequency trading = high-performing environment
For HFTs, minute advantages (speed, efficiency, etc.) can lead to huge returns. Likewise, at, for example, the Olympics, fractions of a second can mean the difference between winning and losing.
HFT firms cultivate a very high-performing environment. For many ex-FAANG employees, that standard and pace is the type of stimulation that they require, to continue growing and feeling motivated.
Teamwork makes the dream work
Working together to achieve best trading outcomes at HFT firms can be a bit like a team sport, too.
Traders, developers, quants all need to work together in harmony and in time with each other, to achieve ambitious targets.
Collaboration and communication are at the core of many HFT firms, so coming from Big Tech, with its big workforce, lays the groundwork for seamlessly making the transition to HFT.
Sportsman mentality
Finally, in both HFT firms and professional sports, mental resilience, continuous improvement, and the desire to learn from mistakes is vital.
Both sportsmen and engineers have access to the data and analytics which can help them to do better next time. And capitalising on this is crucial. The emphasis at HFT firms on speed and efficiency improvements breeds an environment built around striving for success.
For many ex-Big Tech engineers, continual improvement is the name of the game. So, whilst you may never have considered yourself like an Olympic athlete – many elite software engineers thrive on the conditions of high-performance environments, making HFT firms a natural next step.
Interested in going for gold and making the jump to HFT?
