Teen prodigy Kairan Quazi has joined Citadel Securities as a quant developer in New York City, a move seen as a major win for the systematic trading giant. At 16, Quazi graduated college and landed a job at SpaceX, but chose to pursue finance over lucrative AI offers.
Quazi prized Citadel’s ambitious culture and fast feedback loops, saying it was a “dream scenario” with almost instant impact on his ideas. The firm’s technological prowess and meritocratic culture also appealed to him, as he values diversity and energy. Quazi’s mother, an investment banker, introduced him to finance at a young age.
Living in New York City, Quazi is excited for the city’s rich culture and diversity. He will start as a quant developer on the firm’s global trading infrastructure, working with traders and engineers. This marks a notable shift away from Silicon Valley, where many of the world’s brightest minds are flocking to AI startups.
Quazi declined offers from top AI Labs and tech firms, opting for a career in quantitative trading that mirrors the industry’s pitch: fast-paced, complex challenges with instant feedback. With Citadel Securities, he will have the opportunity to see measurable impact in days, not months or years.
Source: https://www.businessinsider.com/teen-prodigy-kairan-quazi-leaves-spacex-joins-citadel-securities-2025-8