Engineering Our Engineering Interview Process

Our Engineering Interview Process

November 09, 2024

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Join our network of top engineers

Thanks for your interest in Citadel Securities! We’re looking forward to meeting you and have prepared this guide to help you understand our recruiting and interview process for engineering.

First, what should you know?

Interviewing with us means having the opportunity to talk with two firms at once: Citadel and Citadel Securities. At both firms, the brightest minds in finance, science and technology work together closely. As a result, our team members naturally learn from one another and deliver real-world impact,
starting from day one.

What are we looking for?

Given the broad range of engineering opportunities at the firms, there’s no single profile we look for. Our most successful colleagues do have a few traits in common, though:

Stellar technical skills and a passion for solving complex, real-world problems
Eagerness to collaborate with individuals from different parts of the firm
Desire to make an impact and drive commercial outcomes for the firm and our clients
Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment where everyone is empowered to use good judgment and inspired to be their best

If this sounds like a place where you would enjoy contributing, we’d like to introduce ourselves.

Three ways to prepare for your interview

1.

Read about Citadel Securities’ mission and core values; find what resonates with you. We love to know why you want to work with us.

2.

Reflect on how your past internship experience has contributed to business outcomes.

3.

Refine your personal story, including what’s led you to interview at our firm.

How to ace your technical interviews

We know that technical interviews can be challenging—especially when we explore the boundaries of your knowledge. Our approach is practical and oriented towards problem solving. If you face a setback, say so! Our culture is built on collaboration and we want to iterate with you.

Don’t be afraid to spend time assessing a problem before jumping to a solution or writing code. You are always welcome to ask clarifying questions.

Share your thought process. Discuss trade-offs among different possible approaches. Be clear about what you know and what you don’t know.

We want you to succeed! If you get stuck, ask questions and take hints.

What does the recruiting process and timeline look like?

Intro

What to Expect

Our recruiting process is designed to give you an opportunity to meet engineers from some of the teams you might work with. We want you to get a sense of the work we do, and we also want to hear about your professional experiences and ambitions. There are four steps in the process. Typically, it takes about eight weeks from start to finish.

Note that you will not be interviewing for a position on a specific team until the end of the process. This is so we can learn more about your strengths and interests before matching you with a team.

First Round

This 45-minute remote interview will cover both technical and behavioral skills. We use video, so be sure you’re camera ready!

We’ll focus on programming skills, ability, data structures/algorithms and problem-solving. Our core programming languages are Python and C++, but we welcome any languages. Prior to the interviews, we’ll send a CoderPad link.

Your interviewer may ask you to explain your approach. These aren’t trick questions: we just want to learn more about your strategy and process. The interviewer will also ask about your technical interests, past internship experience, school projects and your reasons for exploring opportunities at Citadel Securities.

This 45-minute remote interview will cover both technical and behavioral skills. We use video, so be sure you’re camera ready!

Second Round

The second round usually consists of three 45-minute interviews. Like the first round, it assesses a combination of technical and behavioral skills.

It’s also an opportunity for you to ask what’s on your mind, so come prepared with questions.

Following this round of interviews, we will reach out with next steps within two weeks.

The second round usually consists of three 45-minute interviews. Like the first round, it assesses a combination of technical and behavioral skills.

It’s also an opportunity for you to ask what’s on your mind, so come prepared with questions.

Following this round of interviews, we will reach out with next steps within two weeks.

Leadership Interview

If a hiring manager expresses interest in your profile, you will interview with a senior engineer to be assessed for a specific team.

Following the second round interviews, hiring managers across teams within Citadel and Citadel Securities have the opportunity to review your resume and interview feedback to determine where you would fit best. If a team expresses interest in your profile, they will call you in for an interview. If more than one team is interested, this round could consist of multiple interviews.

If a hiring manager expresses interest in your profile, you will interview with a senior engineer to be assessed for a specific team.

Final Review

Hiring managers will determine your fit within that specific team.

If multiple teams are interested in moving forward with your candidacy, you will work with your recruiting contact to determine the best fit for you.

Hiring managers will determine your fit within that specific team.

If multiple teams are interested in moving forward with your candidacy, you will work with your recruiting contact to determine the best fit for you.

Commonly Asked Questions

I understand that interviewing with you means interviewing for both Citadel and Citadel Securities. Is it always clear who I’m talking with?

During your scheduled interview, you can expect to meet with a few people from each firm. You will know which firm they represent. The interview process is the same for both firms. Your preference is taken into account, but placement depends on your skills, experience, and business needs.

What does being an engineer look like at Citadel Securities?

How do interviews vary based on team?

Our interviews are meant to be a general assessment of your technical and behavioral skills. We do not assess fit for a specific team during the first and second rounds of the process. Instead, there may be an additional round of interviews with specific teams. Your recruiter will provide further context and resources when you reach that point in the process.