Engineering our Edge: Lessons for Our Newest Technologists

Engineering is the backbone of our firm—powering the research, risk management, analytics, and processing that give us our edge. Umesh emphasized, “Our strength lies in our research, risk management, analytics, and processing.”

This integration of technology and business insight is vital. We rely on sophisticated quantitative analytics and state-of-the-art technology to drive trading and investment decisions. Our engineering teams design and run complex systems that process enormous volumes of transactions, manage risk across diverse portfolios, visualize data, and ensure reliable, efficient trading operations.

Against that backdrop, Umesh and Martin shared several ways new colleagues can succeed and make an impact.

Think Beyond Code: Create Value
Understanding the business context of your work is crucial.
Umesh advised, “Immerse yourself in everything that you did not learn in college… It is the interdisciplinary edge that will propel your first-principles thinking and the questions that will enable you to solve the hardest problems.”
Effective engineering goes beyond technical skills; it involves integrating those skills with a deep understanding of the business and focusing on outcomes. Martin emphasized the importance of asking “why” to drive meaningful results, stating, “Think about outcomes as opposed to activity, action, and outputs. ‘Outcomes, not outputs’ is a mantra that I’ve carried throughout my career.”

Make Mentorship a Two-Way Street
Strong mentorship starts with reciprocity – giving as much as you hope to gain. Umesh noted, “If you want a mentor – a really good mentor – you have to make it about that person too.”
That means engaging mentors by understanding their motivations and creating a rewarding experience for them. He stressed the importance of building genuine relationships where both sides benefit. For instance, think of ways you can share fresh perspectives and new ideas with your mentor—you likely have technical skills, new approaches, or distinct academic insights that could benefit them, too.
Strong mentorship doesn’t have to be formal. Some of the most powerful guidance comes through authentic relationships that shape your path through shared success and mutual growth.

Turn Obstacles into Breakthroughs
Reframe obstacles as opportunities to test your limits. That requires examining your assumptions and challenging your own preconceptions.
As an example, Umesh discussed how tackling complex challenges during the financial crisis was transformative for his career. He was tasked with building systems to address liquidity and capital problems, which required clear focus and decisive action.
This experience taught him to push through complexities and drill into the crucial aspects of a problem. He said, “It is not about what is obvious. It is about what is essential. You need to develop a deep understanding of the problem at hand to maximize your time and effort.”
By embracing difficult problems, our engineers not only sharpen their skills but also deliver innovative solutions that move the entire firm forward.