What sparked your interest in IMC? How did you come to know about us?

I moved to the Netherlands in 2019 and began to browse job posts for software engineers. I was instantly attracted by the IMC job advertisement. Although the financial world was completely new to me, I realised that the market making domain comes with many different engineering challenges that are difficult to find anywhere else. I’ve always liked to solve puzzles, and IMC seemed like a perfect playground to practise that.

Can you describe what a typical day looks like for you?

I usually bike to work (it is the Netherlands, after all!) and begin the day with a coffee and a routine check to make sure our systems are ready for a new day of trading. I enjoy being in the office in the morning – the trading floor is very lively in preparation for the opening of the market. The anticipation makes me think of the beginning of a Formula One race – all the engineers and traders gather to prepare the technology to perform at its optimum. It's exciting to be part of that.

I spend the rest of my day coding or discussing solutions with fellow engineers and traders. There’s a big focus on collaboration at IMC, so coming together to problem-solve is really encouraged. Another fun bonding experience is when we all come together at lunchtime and for Friday night drinks.

Which qualities or skills are essential for excelling in your role?

IMC is a very fast-paced business, and the trading domain has a steep learning curve. Almost every task comes with something new to learn. So, to excel as a strategy engineer at IMC, you need to be constantly curious and always open to continuously innovate.

Being able to navigate complexity is another key skill. Every day you’re juggling various tasks, such as calculating prices, undertaking software performance and optimisation, and managing data-heavy programs, so you need to be competent and confident across multiple domains. And to be a successful engineer at IMC, you also need to act with a sense of urgency when an issue crops up – resolving the problem immediately is absolutely crucial.

What motivates you to perform at your best?

I enjoy the technical aspect of algorithmic trading because it comes with unique and interesting problems for an engineer. Seeing your work released to production in a matter of days is a very rewarding feeling as well.

What about IMC impresses you the most?

IMC is a distinctive working environment for an engineer. You have the opportunity to work really closely with the end users – aka, the traders – who will be working from your software. This means you receive instant feedback and can progress much faster as a result. I am also impressed by the collaborative culture. You are surrounded by world-class talent who are always willing to go the extra mile to help you.

What valuable advice do you have for individuals applying to IMC?

Stay curious and open to learning. The interview process can be intimidating, but it’s very rewarding.

Interested in a career at IMC?