Graduate Software Engineer (2026)
Content + Source + Freshness • 27 Feb 2026 • 95% confidence
Offer value
Strong value due to comprehensive training, global exposure, and the opportunity to work on impactful projects in a reputable trading firm.
- Extensive global trainee program for new graduates
- Hands-on projects in trading technology and strategy development
- Strong mentorship and collaborative environment
Pros
- Participatory training with seasoned engineers and traders
- Hands-on experience with cutting-edge technologies
- Diverse projects ranging from algorithm development to big data systems
Cons
- Competitive recruitment process; high stakes for placements
- Potentially intense work hours during peak trading times
- Visa restrictions may limit certain applications
Who it's for
Graduate / Entry-Level • Onsite in Amsterdam
Good fit
- Recent computer science or related graduates
- Candidates eager to develop in trading technology
- Individuals interested in real-world financial applications
Not recommended for
- Those without programming experience in Java or C++
- Individuals averse to fast-paced work settings
- Candidates preferring a purely academic approach without practical application
Motivation fit
Key skills
About the job
Your IMC journey as a Graduate Software Engineer will begin with a five-week Global Trainee Programme led by our seasoned engineers and traders alongside graduates from all three IMC regions: Europe, the United States, and Asia-Pacific. During this traineeship, you’ll deepen your knowledge about trading and financial markets, understand the tools and systems used at IMC, and learn how to write production software, craftsmanship and advanced topics in C++, Java or Python. Your training will continue back at your local office, where you’ll receive support from your dedicated mentor, an experienced software engineer at IMC. What happens next is up to you – on our Execution teams you might build anything from advanced networks to proprietary algorithms, while on our Strategy teams you could design systems powering big data and cutting-edge analytics.
YOUR CORE RESPONSIBILITIES
- Develop cutting-edge technology in advanced algorithms
- Support the development of our trading platform and software stack
- Gain experience across the entire software development lifecycle
- Collaborate with traders, quant researchers, and hardware engineers to improve our systems
YOUR SKILLS AND EXPERIENCES
- In your ultimate year of study in computer science, software engineering, or a related field graduating, and are seeking to join IMC full-time in February or August 2026
- A working knowledge of algorithms and data structures
- First-class analytical skills and a desire to solve complicated problems programmatically
- A genuine interest in financial markets (no prior knowledge or experience is required)
Please note: You’ll have the opportunity to complete the recruitment process in your preferred programming language (Java or C++). Please note, however, that exclusive use of one language cannot be guaranteed.
If you have already applied for this position during the current recruitment season and were not selected, you may reapply when the next recruitment season begins in September 2026. We encourage you to focus on enhancing your skillset before reapplying.
Due to U.S. consulate restrictions, candidates from certain nations (including Russia, Belarus, and Iran) are required to apply for their visa in a designated third country or to prove strong ties with a country of residency. Since the global traineeship begins shortly after employment starts, there is not enough time to establish the ties with the Netherlands which is needed for approval. As a result, we are unable to proceed with your candidacy for the graduate traineeship programme at this time. We greatly appreciate your understanding and hope to consider you for future opportunities.
If you are a dual passport holder of another nationality, you remain welcome to apply and should inform our campus recruitment team of your situation: CampusEU@imc.com.
For more information on our technology interview process, please review our preparation guide here.
About Us
IMC is a global trading firm powered by a cutting-edge research environment and a world-class technology backbone. Since 1989, we’ve been a stabilizing force in financial markets, providing essential liquidity upon which market participants depend. Across our offices in the US, Europe, Asia Pacific, and India, our talented quant researchers, engineers, traders, and business operations professionals are united by our uniquely collaborative, high-performance culture, and our commitment to giving back. From entering dynamic new markets to embracing disruptive technologies, and from developing an innovative research environment to diversifying our trading strategies, we dare to continuously innovate and collaborate to succeed.
