Pros
Pros: Honestly, there are no real advantages to working for Optiver’s Mumbai office. While the company may have a strong reputation and better work culture in other locations around the world, the experience in Mumbai is far from ideal.
Cons
Cons: 1. Lack of Job Security: Job stability is a major concern here. Many employees, including interns from top institutes like the IITs, were laid off within just 4-5 months of joining. Before making any decisions, I strongly recommend reaching out to current or former Optiver employees in Mumbai on LinkedIn you’ll likely hear similar stories. 2. Poor Work-Life Balance: Expect extremely long and exhausting working hours. The Mumbai leadership, particularly the head of the office, is known for excessive micromanagement to the point where it feels more like being in a school than working at a world-class HFT firm. Regular workdays often start around 7 a.m. and stretch till 7–8 p.m., and you’ll still be expected to work weekends. There’s little respect for personal time or boundaries. 3. Stagnant Compensation: Don’t expect your salary to grow. 4. Unhealthy Culture and Bias: The workplace culture is disappointing. There’s a clear and visible bias toward expats — they enjoy perks like chauffeur-driven cars and greater flexibility, while Indian employees face stricter oversight and less trust. This double standard creates a divided and demoralizing environment. If you’re skeptical, check LinkedIn for testimonies from both current and laid-off employees — many have shared similar experiences. Overall Verdict: I made the mistake of joining without doing enough research, and it turned out to be an eye-opener. To anyone considering an offer from Optiver Mumbai — please think twice. I strongly advise against joining, no matter how appealing the opportunity might appear on the surface. Learn from my mistake.
