Rates Trader – Bonds, Bond Futures and Options

At Optiver we operate without bureaucracy, without hierarchy and without egos. We seek to continuously improve our approach to pricing, execution and risk management. We believe that the rigour with which we approach these problems is a source of competitive edge. We have an appetite to diversify and improve and are always looking for great new talent to bring fresh ideas and perspectives to our trading team. We are uniquely placed in the market with a combination of access to great liquidity through our market-making desks and a progressive risk appetite to leverage upon that.

We are seeking an experienced and motivated Rates Trader to drive the development and build our Fixed Income desk in Singapore. The successful candidate will be responsible for trading bonds, bond futures, and options, while managing risk and capitalizing on market opportunities.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

Trading Strategy, Research & Execution:

• Trade a broad range of fixed income instruments, including government bonds, bond futures, and options across APAC and/or US (Asia hours).
• Conduct thorough analysis of fixed income markets, including bond yields, inflation expectations, central bank policies, and macroeconomic data to identify profitable trading opportunities.
• Develop and execute high-conviction trading strategies to capitalize on inefficiencies in rates markets, while maintaining optimal risk/reward profiles.
• Use proprietary models and quantitative research to guide decision-making and optimize portfolio performance.
• Monitor interest rate curves, macroeconomic developments, and yield spreads to adjust positions and strategies dynamically.

Risk Management:

• Actively manage risk by monitoring positions, liquidity, and market volatility, ensuring trades are executed within risk limits and in compliance with Optiver’s risk framework.
• Implement hedging strategies using bond futures and options to protect against adverse market movements.
• Work closely with the risk management team to continuously assess and mitigate risk exposure, ensuring adherence to internal risk policies and regulatory requirements.
• Ensure all trading activities are fully compliant with global and local regulatory frameworks, particularly around fixed income and derivatives trading.

WHO YOU ARE

The ideal candidate should have

• Strong experience trading government bonds, bond futures, and options with a deep understanding of fixed income markets, including yield curves, spread trading, and interest rate dynamics, particularly in APAC and/or US (Asia hours) markets.
• Strong risk management capabilities with experience in managing a range of risk exposures, including interest rate, curve, and volatility risk.
• Excellent quantitative and analytical skills, with the ability to use data-driven insights to inform trading decisions and optimize strategies.
• Familiarity with programming languages like Python, C++, or similar, used for building models and trading algorithms.
• Familiarity with trading systems (e.g., Bloomberg, Tradeweb) and experience with algorithmic trading or using quantitative tools to enhance trading performance.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work collaboratively with trading, research, and technology teams to refine strategies and deliver optimal results.
• Experience working in global fixed income markets with a proven ability to identify and execute trades across different regions.

WHAT YOU’LL GET

• The chance to work alongside diverse, intelligent, and driven peers in a rewarding environment
• Competitive remuneration, including an attractive bonus structure and additional leave entitlements
• Training, mentorship and personal development opportunities
• Gym membership plus weekly in-house chair massages
• Daily breakfast and lunch
• Regular social events including an annual company trip
• A work-from-home allowance and support
• Guided relocation, a competitive relocation package and visa sponsorship where necessary.

As an intentionally flat organisation, we believe that great ideas and impact can come from everyone. We are passionate about empowering individuals and creating diverse teams that thrive. Every person at Optiver should feel included, valued and respected, because we believe our best work is done together.

Our commitment to diversity and inclusion is hardwired through every stage of our hiring process, we welcome requests for reasonable adjustments during the process to ensure that you can best demonstrate your abilities.