C++ Software Engineer Intern

About the Role Akuna Capital is seeking a C++ Software Engineer Intern to contribute to high-performance, multithreaded, distributed systems that power the firm's core trading operations. Interns are embedded on small-to-medium teams that interface with Quant and Trading, focusing on a specific domain while experiencing the day-to-day life of an Akuna software engineer. The role involves building reliable, efficient, scalable systems in a heavily multithreaded, asynchronous, and distributed environment, with opportunities to explore new technologies and patterns. What You'll Do

• Work on high-performance C++ systems powering the firm’s core operations
• Be embedded on small-to-medium teams that interface with Quant and Trading
• Progress from ideation and design to delivery and maintenance
• Add functionality to existing systems or implement brand new components
• Experiment with new technologies and patterns to understand solution spaces
• Collaborate with engineers across domains such as algorithms, concurrency, networking, performance tuning, data capture and analysis, mathematical modeling, and hardware
• Solve complex problems and deliver direct impact
• Communicate effectively with non-technical stakeholders to gather requirements and workshop solutions What We're Looking For
• Pursuing a bachelor’s, master’s, or Ph.D. in a technical field; graduating by August 2028
• Legal authorization to work in the U.S. on day one (including F-1 students using OPT or STEM)
• Previous experience in finance or trading is not required; onboarding is provided
• Training and continuous education to build technical and non-technical skills
• Proficiency in modern C++ (C++20 or later; C++23 preferred)
• Experience with distributed systems, parallel processing, asynchronous architectures, networking/protocols, lock-free data structures, and performance profiling
• Scripting experience (Python or shell); familiarity with debugging tools (GDB, Valgrind, address sanitizer)
• Ability to communicate with non-technical stakeholders and adapt to changing market conditions
• Strong ownership, collaboration, and intrinsic motivation to build complex systems
• Valuing diversity of experience and perspective; AI-friendly environment (AI tools not allowed during interviews/assessments) Nice to Have
• Interest in algorithms and data structures, concurrency, networking, performance tuning, data capture and analysis, mathematical modeling, or hardware Compensation & Benefits
• Minimum base salary starts at $145,000 per year (Illinois Equal Pay Act); exact compensation may vary by experience and qualifications
• Eligible for discretionary performance bonus
• Comprehensive benefits package including employer-paid medical, dental, vision, retirement contributions, paid time off, and other benefits