Kairan Quazi, the 16-year-old prodigy who joined SpaceX as an engineer at just 14, has left the aerospace company after two years to pursue a new role as a quant developer at Citadel Securities in New York.
Opting for finance over offers from AI labs and tech giants, Quazi is drawn to the fast-paced world of quantitative trading.
At SpaceX, Quazi worked on the Starlink division, developing software to guide satellite beams for global internet connectivity. Now, he’s embracing finance, noting that it combines the intellectual challenge of AI research with quicker, measurable results, often visible in days rather than months or years.
Despite his youth, Quazi, a Bangladeshi-American who graduated from Santa Clara University at 14, rejects the idea that age limits achievement. His journey—from skipping third grade to interning at Intel Labs at 10 and becoming SpaceX’s youngest employee — reflects his defiance of traditional barriers.
Citadel Securities, a global market maker handling roughly 35% of U.S. retail stock trades, uses advanced technology and algorithms to execute trades for institutions and retail traders while deploying its own strategies. A company spokesperson said Quazi will focus on global trading infrastructure, blending engineering and quantitative problem-solving.
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Quazi’s move highlights finance’s growing competition with tech for top talent. For Citadel Securities, part of billionaire Ken Griffin’s empire, hiring Quazi is a strategic coup. Now living independently in Manhattan near Citadel’s Park Avenue offices, Quazi is embracing both professional and personal milestones.
His journey continues to challenge norms, proving brilliance transcends age.
