Mustard Systems Graduate Programme

We are a small, world-class quantitative trading firm where machine learning, neural networks, and computer vision drive our algorithmic trading strategies.

Our Graduate Programme is designed to give brilliant minds the opportunity to experience a range of roles. During the 12-month programme, you will work alongside our world-class quants, developers, data engineers and algorithmic trading team, contributing to a live trading product built on cutting-edge technology and advanced data pipelines.

This role will be working in our Horse Racing department, and is designed to suit innovative and independent thinkers who relish a role where you are given the freedom to bring your own ideas and methods. Throughout each rotation, working with each part of the team, you will be able to learn from the best and understand what it takes to be successful in that area. That being said, the ideas and drive will come from you. This programme is designed to be challenging, give you autonomy and stretch your abilities.

Structure of the Programme

For the first 6 months, you will be given three separate 2-month assignments, each challenging a different set of skills typical of those required to succeed in each of the quant, developer and algo trading teams. At the end of each 2-month assignment, you will present the work you have done and the scope for future development of the project. In each assignment, we care more about your approach and original thinking than the perfect answer.

Whilst you will be encouraged to form your own ideas, each assignment will start with a short “on‑ramp” project to introduce you to the work. From there, you will be encouraged to try ideas and approach problems in your own way, knowing that if you get stuck, you have a team of experts around you to help.

After the 6-month rotation, the programme is more open ended. If there is a particular project you enjoyed and would like to spend more time on, then this will be the time to keep developing your ideas.

Pathway After the Programme

Once your 12 months are over, successful candidates will have the chance to join a part of the team permanently. We are looking for brilliant minds, not perfect code or textbook mathematics. There are no strict requirements, tests or interviews to pass to join the team permanently.

The process for this role is as follows:

1. A first round cognitive ability test
2. A 30 minute interview with a Head of department
3. A final 2-3 hour interview where you will meet the various managers you will work under during the programme

Requirements

A successful candidate will:

• Have strong problem-solving skills and the confidence to explore your own ideas.
• Have an eagerness to collaborate with a diverse team of brilliant minds to solve difficult problems.
• Not necessarily know what path they want to go down in their career or have done an endless list of ‘spring weeks’ etc... The programme is meant to give you a taste of each part of our team so you can see where your strengths lie.

To apply you must have:

• A Bachelor’s degree or higher in a quantitative subject from a top university.
• An example of something you have worked on in your spare time, separate from your study. This can be anything you find interesting that you think demonstrates your problem-solving and curious nature and doesn’t have to relate to trading or sports. If you have more than one, please include them all.
  

This is not a corporate tick‑box programme.

It’s your chance to use cutting‑edge tech to solve real problems, learn from some of the best in the field, and build a career where your ideas genuinely matter. Spaces are very limited.

Benefits

Comprehensive benefits, including:

• Competitive salary and significant bonus potential.
• Enhanced pension match with salary sacrifice option.
• Health insurance and life assurance.
• 33 days of annual leave (including bank holidays).