Amsterdam, Netherlands·Founded 1986
Optiver
Global Market Maker.
About
What Optiver actually does
Optiver is a leading global market maker, founded in Amsterdam. Known for its emphasis on mental math, quick decision making, and trading games during interviews. Strong presence in options and ETF markets.
- Founded
- 1986
- HQ
- Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Team
- 1,800+
- Process
- 2-4 weeks
Focus areas
Interview process · 2-4 weeks
Round-by-round breakdown
- 1
Online Assessment
60-90 minutesFamous '80 in 8' mental math test (80 questions in 8 minutes), followed by sequence identification and probability puzzles.
- Practice mental math daily with MyntBit Games
- Focus on speed AND accuracy
- Practice number sequences
- 2
Reflex/Trading Game
15-30 minutesInteractive games testing speed, accuracy, and decision-making under pressure.
- Stay calm under time pressure
- Practice reaction-based games
- Focus on consistency
- 3
Technical Interview
45-60 minutesInterview with a trader covering brain teasers, probability questions, and market scenarios. Tests logical reasoning.
- Review classic probability puzzles
- Practice market-making scenarios
- Think out loud
- 4
Onsite/Final Round
Half to full dayMultiple interviews including trading simulations, more technical questions, and behavioral assessment.
- Prepare for trading games
- Stay sharp throughout the day
- Show you can make decisions quickly
Roles & tracks
Pick the desk that fits
Quantitative Trader
Make markets and trade across asset classes. Focus on quick decision making and risk management.
Quantitative Researcher
Develop trading strategies and pricing models. Research-focused role supporting trading desks.
Software Engineer
Build trading systems and market data infrastructure. Focus on low-latency and reliability.
Salary · 2026
What Optiver pays
- Intern
- $3,500 - $5,000 per week
- New grad
- $180k - $300k+ total compensation
- Senior
- $400k - $800k+ total compensation
Compensation varies by location (Amsterdam vs Chicago vs Sydney). Strong bonus culture tied to firm and individual performance.
See full comp datasetOpen roles
Currently hiring at Optiver
Quantitative Trader
Quantitative Researcher
Software Engineer
Candidate experience
What candidates flag at Optiver
2-4 weeks from OA to offer
4 rounds total. The first round is a 60-90 minutes online assessment; the final round is a half to full day onsite/final round. Plan the prep arc against this timeline, not a generic one.
Options Market Making · ETFs · Bonds
Global Market Maker. Interview rounds lean on the surface area where Optiver actually makes money. Expect questions that probe options market making and etfs more than generic LeetCode patterns.
Mental math is critical - practice '80 in 8' format daily
Across the prep tips on this page, the recurring theme is reasoning out loud. Optiver interviewers care more about how you arrive at an answer than the answer itself. Plan to narrate.
Editorial summary derived from interview-process and prep-tip data. Anonymous member reviews launching with the /comp dataset.
Prep tips
What actually works for Optiver
- Mental math is critical - practice '80 in 8' format daily
- Use Optiver's practice tests if available
- Review probability and expected value concepts
- Practice making quick decisions under pressure
- Understand options and market making basics
- Research Optiver's different office locations and cultures
FAQ
