Software Development Summer Internship (Nov 2024)

What you’ll do as a Software Development Intern at Akuna:

Our Developers are innovative, self-starters, and strong communicators. They are driven, adaptable, and creative problem solvers that make a real impact at Akuna. Our Developers work closely in a team-based approach with our trading and quant teams to design and implement elegant solutions to complex and interesting problems. We believe that teamwork is vital for success in this industry. 

Our Software Development team use cutting-edge technology while working on high performance/low latency systems. If you are excited to jump in and make a difference, Akuna could be the place for you!  Our development teams use a combination of Python and C++, and we will expect you to become familiar with one or both languages while working at Akuna. However, please feel free to apply even if you don’t have previous experience with these languages. We’re looking for solid computer science fundamentals and algorithmic problem-solving ability, so you should interview in a language that you’re familiar with.

What you’ll do:

As a Software Development Intern at Akuna, you will have the opportunity to work on an exciting project in one of our many teams. Please know that you will not be able to choose your team rather we will find the most suitable fit for you. Some of these teams include:

Trading Tech 

Our Trading Systems team collaborate with our trading and other development teams on applications that have critical, low-latency processes and where C++ is used for the computational heavy lifting. This team focuses on analysis, design, implementation, testing and delivery of Akuna’s proprietary trading platform and works closely with our industry-leading team of options traders.

Quant & Valuations 

Our Quant & Valuations team work closely with our quant research and trading teams on low latency quantitative models, back testing infrastructure, and trading systems. This team uses a mix of C++ and Python in a variety of projects including trading system development, performance engineering, data analysis, dataset development and machine learning.

Core Systems 

The Core Systems group is responsible for a wide array of systems and applications used by dozens of teams around the firm - stakeholders include Risk, Compliance, Finance, Quant and Trading. They provide consistent and reliable services and data streams that are a force multiplier.

UI

Through Python-powered back-ends and dynamic JavaScript front-ends, the UI team help improve our existing visualization tools and develop new and innovative ways of displaying key information to traders, providing them with real-time applications to assist them in making accurate decisions. The tools you build will also aid traders in managing volatility, assessing risk, and fine-tuning the parameters of our system. 

Internship dates:  10 weeks from November 2024 – February 2025

Training: This internship will include a mixture of Akunacademy training sessions, project work, and mentoring opportunities- you will also be introduced to the Development Training Program. This program will teach you everything you need to know about the trading industry, financial theories, and option market making. You will have lectures, workshops, and intensive sessions to develop your coding skills, learn about our systems and build your technical skills. You will also be paired with a mentor to work together on your first project, and we offer extensive training to learn about market making, our systems, and financial theories.

What you’ll bring:

• Australian or NZ citizen or Australian Permanent residences
• University Degree graduating between August 2025 and January 2026
• Strong understanding of algorithms and data structures
• Passion for innovation and building systems from the ground up
• Analytical problem-solving and adaptability
• Self-starter attitude with the ability to work independently
• Ability to work in a fast-paced team environment
• Strong verbal and written communication skills to obtain requirements and find solutions
• Bachelor, Honours, Masters or PhDs in Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Physics, Engineering, or related degrees
• Distinction Average & proven strong academics
• Awards, prizes, medals, competitions, & scholarships
• Achievements outside of studies through your hobbies & interests

What you’ll get:

• This is a paid internship with flights & accommodation for those relocating to Sydney
• 9-week structured learning program built upon our flagship Options 101 Course by our dedicated Trader Training Manager
• An opportunity to secure a full-time role with Akuna once you graduate.
• Buddy program to help you transition into Akuna, your role and team, as well as build connections and support network
• Flights & accommodation if you are relocating to Sydney for the opportunity.
• Catch up with your colleagues over coffee made by our in-house barista & grab a bite to eat in our fully stocked kitchen
• Weekly social events, team competitions & Akuna clubs
• 180-degree views of Darling Harbour in our collaborative, open plan office space in Barangaroo