Engineer to Quant, how?

I work as engineer in MM HF.

On day to day, I work with quants from different PM teams to set up their infrastructure. Quant will then deploy code (python, R, C++) into the environment created by me.

I come from EE, skilled in infra, coding (python) and all sort of DevOps tooling.

HOW DO I TRANSFORM INTO QUANT???

I am thinking of 1) master of statistics 2) leetcode. The former help me learn math in a systematic way while the latter sharpen my coding/algorithm skills.

What do you think? Thanks!

 

i would suggest getting a job as a software developer working on implementing the models that quants build...maybe at an investment bank...this will get your foot in the door...then you can lateral closer to the quants and get into signal research

just google it...you're welcome
 

Give u an example

A quant approach is saying they need python and MySQL set up.

Then I will install the python and MySQL (yum install)

Then I will handover to quant which they will do their development and I have no clue to their code nor their data

Just an infra engineer

 
Most Helpful

As others have said, your job is IT, not engineering. My advice is to pick up a software engineering skillset and not worry about the statistics or applied math side of the world right now. This could be through a coding bootcamp, self-pedagogy, or a university degree (there are master's degrees in computer science for students with limited coding experience). With a software engineering skillset, you will have a reasonable path to becoming a quant dev, where you productionize and maintain the research code that alpha researchers write. From there, you would have the ability to move into an alpha research role.

faceslappingcompilation gave a similar recommendation. I don't think you will be able to pivot directly into quant research. It's too large of a gap to traverse. I interview and hire quant researchers and devs, and I wouldn't hire someone with your background for the quant research role. Even if you did Leetcode or pursued a financial engineering degree, I would have too much uncertainty around coding skills, research capabilities, and economic/finance knowledge.

It may seem indirect, but it will be easier to land as a researcher if you beef up your coding background and prove that you can work well as a software engineer in a quant dev environment. Then, there's no doubt about coding abilities, and there's less risk around finance knowledge.

 

This is a good direct advice. My sense OP may have the coding/software skills, some EE degrees are very heavy comp eng classes. But is not currently using or doing direct “development “. Therefore as mentioned probably need another degree work to get into development and go from there. Long way from quant for now. 

 

Managing Director in S&T - Other

This is a good direct advice. My sense OP may have the coding/software skills, some EE degrees are very heavy comp eng classes. But is not currently using or doing direct "development ". Therefore as mentioned probably need another degree work to get into development and go from there. Long way from quant for now. 

You are right.

I learnt Java, python and web development in university. But I never developed a real life app or software for a company.

I usually write some small script of 10 or 20 lines for infra automation.

 

Investment Analyst in HF - EquityHedge

As others have said, your job is IT, not engineering. My advice is to pick up a software engineering skillset and not worry about the statistics or applied math side of the world right now. This could be through a coding bootcamp, self-pedagogy, or a university degree (there are master's degrees in computer science for students with limited coding experience). With a software engineering skillset, you will have a reasonable path to becoming a quant dev, where you productionize and maintain the research code that alpha researchers write. From there, you would have the ability to move into an alpha research role.

faceslappingcompilation gave a similar recommendation. I don't think you will be able to pivot directly into quant research. It's too large of a gap to traverse. I interview and hire quant researchers and devs, and I wouldn't hire someone with your background for the quant research role. Even if you did Leetcode or pursued a financial engineering degree, I would have too much uncertainty around coding skills, research capabilities, and economic/finance knowledge.

It may seem indirect, but it will be easier to land as a researcher if you beef up your coding background and prove that you can work well as a software engineer in a quant dev environment. Then, there's no doubt about coding abilities, and there's less risk around finance knowledge.

IT->Coding->Maintain Quant Code->Become a quant

Seems a LONG way to go but this is a clear path!

 

This is my first post in this forum and am thrilled by the response!

To summaries:

  1. I am an IT guy in HF, with some scripting skills.
  1. To become a quant, coding is the bottom line, math/stat is what make you standout while finance concept can be learnt on the job
  1. (2 years) Prove my coding ability should be the primary focus. Getting a part time master in CS or FE is a good start.
  1. (4 years)After graduation (master), I should try to become a front office developer in IB
  1. (2 years) Then I should consider improving my math/stat skills. Getting a part time master of stat is the good option.
  1. (2 years) I should focus on “research” at this point where using my coding and stat skills to try to find out the alpha.
  1. If all things work out, I should now be able to pursue a career as quant in HF

That sums up to be at least 10 years before I approach step 7.

am 29 years old now. But it’s never too late to start

 

Georgia Institute of Tech online computer science (OMSCS) seems to be a good choice for me. 

Reasons below:

  1. School of CS rank #9 in the world
  2. This online course award the same degree as its on campus program (Am based in Singapore btw)
  3. price of the course range from 5000-7000 USD while a CS master in Singapore is around 35k USD!
  4. you can finish it in 4 years doing part time (i.e. doing only 2 courses per year) , this way I can balance my life and also slowly digest the knowledge. 
  5. There are good courses focus on operating systems, distributed systems, compilers, high performance computing which were core courses in CS undergrad degree which I never had the chance to learn. Great way to build a firm foundation for me. Believe these are needed for a quant to improve the performance of his code. 
  6. lots of Linkedin connections from this OMSCS are doing developer, software engineer or data scientist. 

So I believe this will set me closer to being a development guy!

 

Tenetur omnis incidunt cumque ratione fugit. Voluptas nisi voluptate dolore voluptatibus rerum molestias autem. Aut ea voluptatem quis.

Sequi ducimus soluta aut quae illo. Expedita consequatur modi vel error. Magnam quae ullam qui quia qui et.

Sint ipsa veniam beatae minima. Facere quia eligendi explicabo nostrum repellat reiciendis similique. Culpa magni eligendi illum odio exercitationem harum totam. Pariatur non vel assumenda commodi consequatur voluptas quaerat nisi.

Career Advancement Opportunities

March 2024 Hedge Fund

  • Point72 98.9%
  • D.E. Shaw 97.9%
  • Magnetar Capital 96.8%
  • Citadel Investment Group 95.8%
  • AQR Capital Management 94.7%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

March 2024 Hedge Fund

  • Magnetar Capital 98.9%
  • D.E. Shaw 97.8%
  • Blackstone Group 96.8%
  • Two Sigma Investments 95.7%
  • Citadel Investment Group 94.6%

Professional Growth Opportunities

March 2024 Hedge Fund

  • AQR Capital Management 99.0%
  • Point72 97.9%
  • D.E. Shaw 96.9%
  • Citadel Investment Group 95.8%
  • Magnetar Capital 94.8%

Total Avg Compensation

March 2024 Hedge Fund

  • Portfolio Manager (9) $1,648
  • Vice President (23) $474
  • Director/MD (12) $423
  • NA (6) $322
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (24) $287
  • Manager (4) $282
  • Engineer/Quant (71) $274
  • 2nd Year Associate (30) $251
  • 1st Year Associate (73) $190
  • Analysts (225) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (22) $131
  • Junior Trader (5) $102
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (249) $85
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
9
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
10
bolo up's picture
bolo up
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”