---
title: 'Software Engineer, C++ at Aquatic Capital Management'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/software-engineer-c-aquatic-capital-management-chicago-yrn09wnc7e03'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-07'
---

# Software Engineer, C++ at Aquatic Capital Management

- **Company:** Aquatic Capital Management
- **Location:** Chicago, IL / New York, NY / London, United Kingdom
- **Posted:** 2025-05-13
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-07
- **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/aquaticcapitalmanagement/jobs/7994855002

## Job description

Aquatic was founded with a shared passion for tackling some of the most complex challenges in one of the world’s most competitive arenas—global financial markets. From the very beginning, we have been driven by a deep commitment to applying cutting-edge scientific research and technological innovation to deliver unparalleled performance. Our journey is one of continuous growth and exploration, marked by a spirit of curiosity and relentless drive for excellence.

Aquatic Capital Management is seeking a C++ Software Engineer to join our Market Data team.  In this role, you’ll build and maintain real-time market data infrastructure that delivers clean, reliable, and low-latency data to research and trading systems. You'll work closely with researchers and technologists across the firm to ensure optimal system performance and data quality.

Role Details:

- Design and develop performant C++ applications to process real-time market data from global exchanges
- Build tools that enable seamless, automated, and reproducible deployment of models into live trading environments.
- Enhance the performance, reliability, scalability, and throughput of real-time trading systems.
- Collaborate closely with quantitative researchers to improve the profitability and effectiveness of trading strategies.
- Work closely with strategy and trading desks to ensure alignment of data delivery with trading objectives

Technical Experience:

- 4+ years of professional experience writing high-performance C++ (C++14/17/20)
- Deep understanding of market data, order books, and exchange microstructure
- Strong familiarity with Linux systems programming, networking, and multithreading
- Passion for clean, well-architected code and systems design
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field; advanced degree a plus
- Background in quantitative or systematic trading environments preferred
- Involvement with systems tied to strategy performance or PnL outcomes would be nice to have

Candidate Qualities:

- Strong bias for action
- Driven by accountability and internal urgency
- Desire to independently seek best solutions
- Preference for working in a team that focuses on delivering results aligned with Research goals
- Comfortable providing and receiving actionable feedback in a collaborative team setting
- Motivated by an ambitious environment and driven colleagues

The base salary for this role is anticipated to be between $150,000 and $300,000, which is based on information at the time of posting. This position may also be eligible for additional forms of compensation, such as a discretionary bonus, and benefits. Discretionary bonus can be a significant portion of total compensation. Actual compensation for successful candidates will be carefully determined based on a number of factors, including their unique skills, qualifications and relevant experience. Benefits:

- Benefits: For full-time employees, fully paid medical, dental, and vision for employees and dependents, competitive 401k plan, employer-paid life & disability insurance
- Perks: Wellness programs, casual dress, snacks, lunch, game room, team and company events
- Development: Open environment to maximize learning and knowledge sharing
- Time: Generous PTO, paid holidays, competitive paid caregiver leaves

[Aquatic Capital](https://www.aquatic.com/)

This role represents a unique opportunity to join a quantitative investment manager in its early stage of growth. The firm’s culture will be shaped by collaboration, meritocracy, ambition, and calm determination.

Aquatic is a proud equal opportunity workplace. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or any other applicable legally protected characteristics.

## About Aquatic Capital Management

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Aquatic Capital Management is a quantitative investment management firm that combines a high-performance research and development platform with disciplined risk management to manage systematic strategies.
- **Entity Type**: Private (no disclosed funding rounds)
- **Headquarters**: Chicago, Illinois, United States
- **Founded**: Year not publicly available
- **Founders**: Jonathan Graham

## Core Business
- Primary industry: Financial Services (systematic quantitative investing)
- Target customers: Institutional investors (B2B)
- Mission or purpose statement: "Building a lasting quantitative investment manager" and "applying science and technology to build the world’s best prediction machine" [aquatic.com](https://www.aquatic.com/)

## Products & Services
- **Systematic Investment Strategies**: The firm manages quantitative strategies across global financial markets, leveraging a proprietary R&D platform for alpha generation and risk management.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation**: Not publicly available
- **Key Metric**: Estimated annual revenue in the range of $5–15 million (unverified third-party estimate) [leadiq.com](https://leadiq.com/c/aquatic-capital-management/5dc09ebcfdf36bee53c436ab). Official figures not disclosed.
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: Not disclosed; the firm commits its own capital alongside investors.
- **Growth Signals**: Headcount of ~100 employees (+3.5% YoY) [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/company/aquatic). LinkedIn followers grew +47.7% yearly. Active job postings increased +433.3% yearly, indicating aggressive hiring [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/company/aquatic).

## Competitive Advantages
- **Talent Concentration**: Small, nimble team of best-in-class researchers and engineers in a carefully architected environment optimized for quiet focus and collaboration [aquatic.com](https://www.aquatic.com/).
- **Founder Experience**: Jonathan Graham spent 13+ years at Citadel as a Partner and Senior Managing Director, leading the Global Quantitative Strategies business [aquatic.com](https://www.aquatic.com/).
- **Culture of Meritocracy**: Values diverse backgrounds, collaboration, and steady determination with a flat structure where every voice counts [aquatic.com](https://www.aquatic.com/).
- **Commitment to Carbon Neutrality**: Differentiator for environmentally conscious talent [aquatic.com](https://www.aquatic.com/).

## Strategic Focus
- Continued investment in applied scientific research and development to build a lasting quantitative investment manager [aquatic.com](https://www.aquatic.com/).
- Scaling the team across research, technology, and operations, with active hiring in Chicago, New York, and London [greenhouse.io](http://job-boards.greenhouse.io/aquaticcapitalmanagement).

## Why Work Here
- **Culture**: Casual, relaxed environment designed for deep work and innovation; daily catered meals, happy hours, and office perks [aquatic.com](https://www.aquatic.com/).
- **Work Model**: Offices in Chicago (HQ), New York, and London. Hybrid/remote policy not explicitly stated; roles appear office-based.
- **Benefits**: Comprehensive benefits, mentoring and development programs, open source projects, and "Vacation++" policy [aquatic.com](https://www.aquatic.com/).
- **Engineering & Research Focus**: High concentration of technical and research roles (29% technical, 23% research) with a tech stack including Python, C++, PyTorch, Kubernetes, and more [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/company/aquatic).
- **Employee Rating**: 4.4/5.0 (based on 4 reviews) with perfect scores in compensation, culture, and career [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/company/aquatic).

## Sources
1. [aquatic.com](https://www.aquatic.com/)
2. [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/company/aquatic)
3. [greenhouse.io](http://job-boards.greenhouse.io/aquaticcapitalmanagement)
4. [leadiq.com](https://leadiq.com/c/aquatic-capital-management/5dc09ebcfdf36bee53c436ab)

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