Junior Software Engineer - Portfolio Implementation Analytics

About AQR Capital Management

AQR is a global investment management firm built at the intersection of financial theory and practical application. We strive to deliver superior, long-term results for our clients by looking past market noise to identify and isolate what matters most, and by developing ideas that stand up to rigorous testing. Our focus on practical insights and analysis has made us leaders in alternative and traditional strategies since 1998.

At AQR, our employees share a common spirit of academic excellence, intellectual honesty and an unwavering commitment to seeking the truth. We’re determined to know what makes financial markets tick – and we’ll ask every question and challenge every assumption. We recognize and respect the power of collaboration, and we believe transparency and openness to new ideas leads to innovation.

The Team:

Technology is central to AQR’s success. As a Software Engineer in Portfolio Implementation, you you will help build and support systems that turn research ideas into real portfolios. You’ll work closely with researchers and portfolio managers to develop tools that support quantitative strategies and systematic investing.

Your Role:

As an Analyst / Junior Software Engineer in Portfolio Implementation, you will contribute to the development and maintenance of systems that sit at the core of AQR’s investment process, including:

• Supporting and enhancing portfolio implementation platforms that use research outputs to generate trades.

• Building and improving cloud-based services that run reliably at scale.

• Participating in discussions and gaining exposure in how to design high-performance, as well as trade-offs across performance, flexibility, and maintainability.

• Assisting in the development of tools tailored to specific asset classes and evolving research needs.

• Collaboration with a global team of researchers, portfolio managers and engineers for successful product delivery

What You’ll Bring:

• Degree in Computer Science or a related technical field

• 1–2 years of programming experience with high proficiency in Java.

• Experience with Python is a plus.

• Foundational understanding of software design and the ability to write clean, maintainable code.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

• Clear communication and willingness to collaborate.

• Interest in financial markets and systematic investing.

• Exposure to distributed systems or microservices (e.g., Java, Redis, RabbitMQ/AMQ, relational databases) is a plus.

• Experience working within a development team and contributing to the full software development lifecycle (SDLC).

• Understanding of core developer workflows, including but not limited to code reviews, QA/testing processes, release cycles, and post-release support.

• Enthusiasm for learning about performance optimization, monitoring, and observability tools (e.g., New Relic).

Who You Are:

• Curious, motivated, and eager to learn from experienced engineers.

• Collaborative and comfortable working in a team-oriented environment.

• Detail‑oriented, with a sense of ownership over your work.

• Adaptable and able to navigate a fast‑paced environment.

• Committed to transparency, open communication, and continuous improvement.

AQR is an Equal Opportunity Employer. EEO/VET/DISABILITY

The salary range for this role is expected to be $110,000-130,000. This is the range that we in good faith believe is accurate for this role at the time of this posting. We may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range, depending upon factors such as skills, experience, location, or other business and organizational needs. This wage range may also be modified in the future.

This job is also eligible for an annual discretionary bonus.

We offer comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off, medical/dental/vision insurance, 401(k), and any other benefits to eligible employees.

Note: No amount of pay is considered to be wages or compensation until such amount is earned, vested, and determinable. The amount and availability of any bonus, commission, benefits, or any other form of compensation and benefits that are allocable to a particular employee remains in the Company's sole discretion unless and until paid and may be modified at the Company’s sole discretion, consistent with the law.