Prediction Markets Trader at DRW
Flexible - US PreferredFull-timeFICC OptionsPosted 2 months ago
About the Role
<p><strong>DRW</strong> is a major Chicago-based proprietary trading firm founded in 1992 by Don Wilson, specializing in diversified, technology-driven market-making and quantitative trading across asset classes including fixed income, options, derivatives, commodities, energy, equities, FX, and cryptocurrency.</p>
<p><strong>DRW </strong>is building out a dedicated prediction markets desk focused on platforms such as Polymarket and Kalshi. As a <strong>Prediction Markets Trader</strong>, you will develop, execute, and optimize high-conviction trading strategies in binary event contracts. You will manage a live portfolio, targeting consistent positive expectancy through market making, microstructure exploitation, cross-platform arbitrage, event-driven momentum, and statistical models. This role requires genuine, demonstrated passion for prediction markets, strong quantitative reasoning, and the ability to operate in thin, volatile, event-resolution-driven environments.</p>
<p><strong>Core Responsibilities:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Monitor and trade active markets in real time across Polymarket (CLOB/Gamma/Subgraph APIs) and Kalshi (FIX/WebSocket/REST).</li>
<li>Execute strategies including: market making with dynamic skew, microstructure arbitrage (order-flow and book-imbalance sniping), cross-platform arb, news/event momentum (sub-second reaction), and statistical pairs/mean-reversion.</li>
<li>Develop and backtest models using historical tick data, Bayesian probability updates, NLP sentiment parsing, and ML for fair-value estimation.</li>
<li>Collaborate with engineering on low-latency infrastructure (API integrations, order engines, anomaly detection).</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Required Qualifications:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Bachelor's or higher in Quantitative Finance, Statistics, Computer Science, Economics, Mathematics, or equivalent.</li>
<li>Strong programming skills: Python (pandas, NumPy, backtesting).</li>
<li>Solid foundation in probability, statistics, time-series analysis, and Bayesian methods.</li>
<li>Hands-on experience with prediction market platforms (Polymarket and/or Kalshi APIs) or closely related domains (options, binary events, sports/event betting).</li>
<li><strong>Genuine, demonstrated interest in prediction markets</strong> — we expect you to be actively engaged with the space (personal trading, deep reading of protocols, following major resolutions, contributing to discussions, etc.). This is non-negotiable.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Highly Valued (but not strictly required):</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Prior profitable trading experience in prediction markets, options, or event-driven strategies (personal or professional).</li>
<li>Familiarity with blockchain/DeFi tools (ethers.js, Polygon RPC, USDC wallets).</li>
<li>Experience with low-latency systems, FIX protocol, or Web3 integrations.</li>
<li>Track record of building and backtesting quantitative models with real historical data.</li>
<li>Deep domain knowledge of high-impact events (politics, macroeconomics, climate, sports).</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Who We’re Looking For:</strong> We are especially interested in exceptionally sharp, self-motivated individuals — including strong campus hires and new graduates — who are obsessed with prediction markets and can demonstrate clear, substantive engagement with the space. If you’ve been actively trading Polymarket/Kalshi, analyzing resolutions, building personal models, or following the ecosystem closely, we want to talk to you.</p>
<p><strong>Apply With: </strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Resume</li>
<li>Cover letter explicitly detailing your genuine interest in prediction markets (specific examples of your engagement: trades you’ve made, resolutions you’ve studied, models you’ve built, protocols you follow, etc.)</li>
<li>GitHub, personal blog, or portfolio links showing relevant work</li>
</ul>
<p>Applications reviewed on a rolling basis. Strong candidates will receive a technical screen, strategy discussion, and live coding/modeling exercise focused on real prediction market scenarios.</p>
<p><strong>Location:</strong> Flexible. US-based preferred.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>The annual base salary range for this position is $175,000 to $200,000 depending on the candidate’s experience, qualifications, and relevant skill set. The position is also eligible for an annual discretionary bonus. In addition, DRW offers a comprehensive suite of employee benefits including group medical, pharmacy, dental and vision insurance, 401k (with discretionary employer match), short and long-term disability, life and AD&D insurance, health savings accounts, and flexible spending accounts.</p>
<p><strong>For more information about DRW's processing activities and our use of job applicants' data, please view our Privacy Notice at <a href="https://drw.com/privacy-notice">https://drw.com/privacy-notice</a>.</strong></p>
<p><strong>California residents, please review the California Privacy Notice for information about certain legal rights at <a href="https://drw.com/california-privacy-notice">https://drw.com/california-privacy-notice</a>.</strong></p>
<p><strong>#LI-GV1</strong></p>