Fiber Optic Technician

Austin is home to Optiver’s custom trading system hardware research, design and manufacturing facility. We’re looking to expand our team with a technician who can help with designing, manufacturing, validating, testing, repairing and, at times helping to install the optical cables and components use in our trading systems hardware. 

Who we are

Optiver is a tech-driven trading firm and leading global market maker. As one of the oldest market making institutions, we are a trusted partner of 70+ exchanges across the globe. Our mission is to constantly improve the market by injecting liquidity, providing accurate pricing, increasing transparency and acting as a stabilizing force no matter the market conditions. With a focus on continuous improvement, we participate in the safeguarding of healthy and efficient markets for everyone who participates.

Based in ‘The Domain’ neighborhood, Optiver’s Austin office serves as the firm’s innovation nucleus, with a strong focus on quantitative research, software, and hardware engineering initiatives. With tech innovation an integral part of our core business, the booming city proved an ideal backdrop for our heavy investment into systems, infrastructure, machine learning, big data and computing R&D efforts. What’s more, with world-class music, food and art scenes, as well as countless scenic outdoor activities, the quality of life for Austin Optiverians is second to none.

What you'll do

As a fiber optic technician, you are the key to our fiber optic component design, manufacturing and validation efforts. At its core the role entails:

• Connect and splice fibers, building custom fiber optical parts and assembling into enclosures. 
• Design, customize and manufacture fiber optics parts and assemblies. 
• Work cross functionally with various engineering teams (trading, research, data center, mechanical) to ensure fiber optics requirements are being met
• Engage with external partners for research and development (R&D) of new components.
• Work alongside other engineers to design optical circuits and necessary supporting parts. 
• Advise data center engineering team on how to deploy and validate the fiber optic assemblies you're making.
• Conduct OTDR measurements with both commercial and in-house development systems and software. 

This job is primarily on-site at our Domain office with a focus on the manufacturing aspects. Most problems we design for are not just build to spec, but require a creative approach and interaction with our other engineering disciplines. 

Who you are

This role is suitable for someone with an Engineering Degree with an interest in mechanical and manufacturing who want to move into the fiber optic domain. We are also open to hiring someone who has existing experience in designing, building and assembling fiber optic assemblies.

Minimum Requirements:

• Possess a hands-on problem solving and a "can-do" mentality.
• Ability to travel a small percentage of your time of time within the US, and potentially globally.  

Nice to have skills and experience: 

• Python and Jupyter notebook
• Ability to interact with hardware like OTDR meters both on the device but also through remote control.
• Network administration
• Experience Fiber optical ethernet deployments
• Trading data center experience
• 3D/CAD design
• Track record of getting things manufactured externally to spec