Quantitative Strategist Visa Sponsorship Jobs in Illinois
Quantitative strategist visa sponsorship jobs in Illinois are concentrated in Chicago, where trading firms like Citadel, DRW, Jump Trading, and Belvedere Trading regularly hire international talent. Illinois ranks among the top states for quantitative finance roles, with the Chicago Mercantile Exchange ecosystem and major asset managers driving steady employer demand.
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About Akuna: Akuna Capital is an innovative trading firm with a strong focus on collaboration, cutting-edge technology, data driven solutions and automation. We specialize in providing liquidity as an options market-maker – meaning we are committed to providing competitive quotes that we are willing to both buy and sell. To do this successfully we design and implement our own low latency technologies, trading strategies and mathematical models. Our Founding Partners first conceptualized Akuna in their hometown of Sydney. They opened the firm's first office in 2011 in the heart of the derivatives industry and the options capital of the world – Chicago. Today, Akuna is proud to operate from additional offices in Sydney, Shanghai, London, and Singapore.
What you'll do as a Junior Quantitative Developer & Junior Quantitative Strategist at Akuna: Akuna's Quant team creates trading strategies scientifically by combining its quantitative expertise with sophisticated understanding of derivatives and financial markets. The team is looking to add both Junior Quant Developers and Junior Quant Strategists who will make a direct and measurable impact on our trading decisions and performance. We are searching for creative thinkers with strong programming backgrounds who can convert ideas into trading solutions, tighten our innovation cycle through rapid prototyping of performant production code, and have the desire to develop a deep understanding of financial markets. No prior experience with financial markets is required. In these roles you will:
- Design and develop production code of trading strategies: pricing models, execution logic and performance optimization along with researchers, traders, and system engineers.
- Analyze and incorporate market signals in our trading systems.
- Advance existing codebase and propose new solutions and improvements.
Qualities that make great candidates:
- Bachelors, masters, or PhD degree in a technical field – Engineering, Computer Science, Math, Physics (or related subject) must be completed upon employment
- Strong Python programming background
- Experience in object-oriented programming
- Exposure to linear algebra and introductory statistics
- Desire and ability to learn the intricacies of financial markets
- Must be graduating August 2027 or prior
- GPA of 3.5 or above
- Legal authorization to work in the U.S. is required on the first day of employment including F-1 students using OPT or STEM
Additional qualities that make great candidates:
- Experience with generic and/or parallel programming
- Deeper understanding of any of the following fields: Linear Algebra, Numerical Methods, Statistics, Optimization, Signal Processing, Computer Architecture, Machine Learning, Heterogeneous/High Performance computing
- 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 are essential functions of the role
- Exposure to financial markets and trading
- Resumes must be submitted in PDF format.
In addition to technical skillsets, Akuna values the unique perspectives people can bring to the table to collaboratively solve complex problems and drive Akuna forward. We want everyone to feel empowered to apply. We welcome your application and encourage you to take the first steps toward your future with us!
Please note: By submitting an application to this role, you are indicating this is your top preference and acknowledge you will not be considered for other Quant and/or Tech roles at Akuna this recruiting season. This acknowledgement does not limit applications to Trading roles – in addition to this role, you may apply to any Trader roles of interest.
Compensation:
- The minimum base salary starts at $145,000.
- Exact compensation offered may vary based on many factors including, but not limited to, the candidate's experience, qualifications, and skill set.
- This role is also eligible for a discretionary performance bonus as part of the total compensation package and includes a comprehensive benefits package that may encompass employer-paid medical, dental, vision, retirement contributions, paid time off, and other benefits.
- The minimum base salary herein was determined in good faith by Akuna Capital LLC.
Quantitative Strategist Job Roles in Illinois
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Search Quantitative Strategist Jobs in IllinoisQuantitative Strategist Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies sponsor visas for quantitative strategists in Illinois?
Chicago-based proprietary trading firms and asset managers are among the most active sponsors for quantitative strategist roles in Illinois. Firms such as Citadel, DRW, Jump Trading, Belvedere Trading, and Allstate have filed Labor Condition Applications for quantitative and analytical positions. Large financial institutions with Chicago operations, including Morningstar and Northern Trust, also sponsor international candidates for quantitative roles.
Which visa types realistically fit quantitative strategist roles in Illinois?
Quantitative strategist roles qualify as specialty occupations, making the H-1B visa the most common visa path. H-1B status is granted for up to three years and is extendable to six, though it is subject to an annual cap and selection process. Nationals of Chile or Singapore may qualify for the H-1B1 visa, while Australian nationals can pursue the E-3 visa. F-1 students may work under OPT while seeking employer sponsorship. EB-2 and EB-3 employment-based green cards are longer-term options requiring PERM labor certification.
Which cities in Illinois have the most quantitative strategist sponsorship jobs?
Chicago is by far the dominant city for quantitative strategist sponsorship jobs in Illinois, driven by its concentration of proprietary trading firms, hedge funds, and financial exchanges clustered in the Loop and River North districts. Evanston occasionally sees roles tied to Northwestern University's financial engineering programs. Outside Chicago, meaningful quantitative finance hiring in Illinois is limited, making the city the clear focus for international job seekers in this field.
How to find quantitative strategist visa sponsorship jobs in Illinois?
Migrate Mate lists quantitative strategist roles in Illinois filtered to employers with verified visa sponsorship history, so you can focus on firms that have actively filed for similar positions. Filtering by Chicago narrows results to the highest-concentration market in the state. Beyond browsing Migrate Mate, targeting firms with known LCA filing histories in quantitative finance and reaching out directly to talent acquisition teams at Chicago trading firms can strengthen your search.
Are there state-specific factors that affect quantitative strategist visa sponsorship in Illinois?
Illinois's position as a global derivatives and futures trading hub, anchored by the CME Group and CBOE exchanges, creates consistent demand for quantitative strategists that is not easily replicated in most other states. The University of Chicago and Northwestern University supply strong domestic pipelines, but firms routinely sponsor international candidates with advanced degrees in mathematics, statistics, or financial engineering. Illinois employers in this space tend to be experienced with H-1B and related visa processes given their long history of international hiring.
What is the prevailing wage for sponsored quantitative strategist jobs in Illinois?
U.S. employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the prevailing wage, which is what workers in the same role, area, and experience level typically earn. The Department of Labor sets this rate to make sure companies aren't hiring foreign workers simply because they'd accept lower pay than a U.S. worker. It varies by job title, location, and experience. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search page.