Graduate Engineering Trainee - Network Engineering

About Us

Zanskar Research is a systematic trading and technology firm developing proprietary trading strategies and market-making algorithms for capital markets.The firm combines quantitative research, data-driven decision making, and technology to design and operate automated trading systems across diverse market environments. Its focus lies in applying rigorous analysis and engineering to solve complex challenges in modern financial markets.

The Role

We're looking for a Network Engineer with around a year of hands-on experience in networking, Linux, and systems engineering to join our infrastructure team. You'll work in our mission-critical, low-latency trading environment, where performance is measured in microseconds. You'll own day-to-day network and server operations and work closely with senior network engineers and system administrators on larger projects. This role is built for someone ready to move beyond the basics, taking on real ownership while growing into low-latency and HFT infrastructure.

What You'll Do

• Manage and support data-center networking: VLANs, routing, and L2/L3 configuration
• Configure and maintain switches and network devices, with senior review on critical changes
• Work with low-latency networking technologies such as 10/25/40/100GbE, multicast, and DPDK/OpenOnload
• Support exchange connectivity and market data flow, and build a working understanding of HFT systems architecture
• Monitor network health and independently troubleshoot latency and connectivity issues, escalating when needed
• Deploy, configure, and maintain Linux servers across Ubuntu, Red Hat, and other distributions
• Apply performance-tuning practices such as CPU pinning, NUMA awareness, and kernel parameter tuning
• Write and maintain Bash/Python automation scripts for routine network and operational tasks
• Own system patching, security hygiene, and upgrade cycles for assigned systems
• Build and maintain monitoring dashboards and alerts using Prometheus and Grafana
• Document network changes, runbooks, and incident learnings

What We're Looking For

• About 1 year of professional experience in network engineering, system administration, or infrastructure operations
• Strong fundamentals in TCP/IP, routing, switching, and core protocol concepts
• Hands-on experience configuring switches or routers in a production or lab environment
• Solid working knowledge of Linux: file systems, processes, networking tools, and shell usage
• Comfort writing scripts in Bash and/or Python
• Experience troubleshooting network or server issues in a live environment
• Genuine interest in low-latency networking, systems performance, or financial markets infrastructure
• Strong problem-solving ability and composure in a fast-paced, high-stakes environment
• Good communication skills, since you'll work closely with traders, quants, and developers

Good to Have

• Exposure to data-center, trading, or other latency-sensitive environments
• Experience with cloud or virtualization platforms
• Familiarity with monitoring tools (Prometheus, Grafana) and version control (Git)
• Experience with packet capture and analysis tools such as tcpdump or Wireshark
• Networking or Linux certifications (CCNA, RHCSA, LPIC)

Academic Qualifications

• B.Tech / Dual Degree in CSE, IT or a related field
• CGPA of 7.5/10 or above

Why Join Us

• Work on cutting-edge low-latency systems alongside senior network and infrastructure engineers
• Hands-on ownership of HFT infrastructure, exchange connectivity, and ultra-low-latency networking
• Clear growth path into a senior Network Engineer / System Administrator role