hft prop shop corporate structure

mass_marinesI've been interviewing at top tier hft prop shops (getco, jump, etc), and everyone keeps telling me that they have a very flat corporate structure. I'm a bit skeptical that this is completely true.

For example at one firm where I got an offer, they told me that they're organized into teams and while each team has a "team leader", there's no hierarchical structure beyond that - everyone else is on the same level, even if it's your first year.

It would be great if someone who works in the industry could shed some light on how true this is - a comparison to trading at somewhere else like a BB would be really insightful as well. Additionally, does this apply to salaries too? For example, if I were to do amazingly well my first year, is it possible that I could make more then someone who'd been working at the firm for 3-4+ years?

Try the search function. Corporate structure means boss/manager hierarchy. You'll work for a PM/trading MD and he'll work for head of the fund. Re: trading comp, sure -- it's largely bonus as a trader.