A career in tech and data-driven finance is becoming one of the most desired experiences for students. With the rise of quantitative investing, algorithmic trading, and AI-powered platforms, students are actively chasing Two Sigma Internships that combine coding, statistics, and real-world applications of problem-solving. These internships aren’t just about writing lines of code but about being part of the decision-making that drives billion-dollar outcomes. Two Sigma has carved out a name for itself as one of the few places where technical minds get to operate at the intersection of science and finance. That balance makes it especially attractive for engineering students and those with a passion for maths, algorithms, and system design.
What makes the internship experience at Two Sigma different is the variety of roles offered and the level of responsibility given to interns right from the start. Whether you’re looking at software engineering, quantitative research, or a hybrid of both, the programmes are tailored to give students full immersion into the company’s day-to-day work. They’re designed not just for seniors or master’s students but also for freshmen and sophomores through dedicated early-career tracks. With high compensation, deep mentorship, and meaningful projects, the internship doesn’t just look good on paper. It feels like a test run of what it’s like to work on cutting-edge financial technology with real stakes.
💡 For More Financial Services Internships: Click Here
Two Sigma Internship | Learn Quantitative Research in Finance
About Two Sigma
Two Sigma is not your typical finance company. It’s a technology-first firm that applies computer science, data science, and machine learning to solve problems in the world of investing. Everything it does is driven by data. With its main headquarters in New York City and a growing presence across global financial hubs, the company builds models and platforms that operate in real markets, handling huge volumes of information to find hidden patterns and opportunities. The work involves a unique mix of research and production engineering, with the focus always being on innovation and scalable solutions. The company runs multiple divisions that go beyond just investment management. There’s a venture capital arm, an insurance-focused analytics branch, and a strong focus on education through its academic partnerships.
Summer Internship
The summer internship at Two Sigma is structured in a way that makes interns feel like they’ve been dropped straight into the core of the company. Lasting around ten weeks, the programme is fast-paced, project-based, and tailored to mirror the real experience of working on a team. Interns don’t just sit in meetings. They contribute code, run experiments, and even present their results to senior team members. There’s a strong emphasis on mentorship, too, with dedicated mentors and regular feedback sessions built into the experience. It’s not uncommon for interns to work on projects that end up being used long after the programme ends. By the end of the summer, most students walk away with both technical growth and a deeper understanding of how the company operates at the intersection of data and decision-making.
Common Internship Options
Instead of offering a generic programme, Two Sigma has created specific tracks for students depending on their strengths, interests, and how far along they are in their academic journey. Below are some of the most popular internship tracks that students apply to year after year.
Software Engineering Internship
This is one of the most competitive and exciting tracks at Two Sigma. Interns in software engineering join real dev teams and help design, build, or maintain the core systems used by the company. That could mean working on distributed systems, performance optimisation, internal tools, or infrastructure projects. Many interns spend their summer solving small but meaningful problems, like reducing latency in a data pipeline or improving internal visualisation tools. You’ll work with a tech stack that often includes Python, Java, C++, and Git and get familiar with the company’s custom-built engineering environment. Interns are encouraged to write production-quality code and are given the chance to own their work from start to finish.
Quantitative Research Internship
This track is designed for students who love working with numbers, models, and research-heavy challenges. As a quant research intern, you’ll work on projects that involve large-scale data analysis, simulations, and statistical testing. The goal is often to help improve predictive models or find new patterns in datasets that others might overlook. Tools like Python, R, and sometimes C++ are used here, along with libraries like NumPy, Pandas, and SciPy. You’ll also get exposure to Two Sigma’s internal platforms for running simulations or backtesting ideas. It’s not just about writing code. It’s about forming hypotheses, running experiments, and communicating what you find clearly.
First-Year Software Engineering Internship
This track is built specifically for students just beginning their university journey. If you’re a freshman or have recently started learning about computer science, this internship gives you a soft landing in the world of professional software development. You won’t be expected to know everything. Instead, you’ll get guided exposure to core tools, pair programming, mentorship, and simple engineering tasks. Interns in this programme might contribute to testing frameworks, help with debugging smaller internal tools, or build out documentation for existing systems. It’s designed to teach you how the engineering world actually works while keeping the learning curve manageable.
Freshman or Sophomore Internship
Beyond the first-year programme, there are general internship openings that welcome early undergrads with solid skills but limited real-world experience. These are ideal for sophomores or highly motivated freshmen who’ve already learned core programming concepts and want to try applying them in a structured work environment. Interns might help with data cleaning, build internal dashboards, or work on small feature improvements to tools used by analysts and researchers. Tools like SQL, Python, or lightweight scripting languages often come into play, and interns get to learn how teams collaborate using Git, code reviews, and daily check-ins.
Data Science or Infrastructure Engineering Track
This track is a mix of research and systems. Interns who land here usually have skills in Python, SQL, or cloud infrastructure platforms. Data science interns focus on building tools, pipelines, or dashboards that help teams make better decisions. You might be asked to improve how internal data is processed or analyzed or to support researchers with scripts that speed up experiments. On the infrastructure side, you could help scale a logging system, write monitoring scripts, or improve the performance of internal tools. It’s where code meets operations, and the learning curve is challenging but super rewarding.
Two Sigma Investments Internship
While many roles at the company are technical, there are also internship tracks more focused on investment strategy and business operations. Interns here work alongside analysts and portfolio managers, helping with market research, risk modelling, or the development of internal tools that support investment decisions. You may work with datasets related to pricing, economic trends, or even real-time trading behavior. Skills like Excel, SQL, Python, and basic statistics are helpful, but a strong interest in markets and finance is just as important.
When Do Two Sigma Internships Open?
Students looking to apply to Two Sigma should know that internship applications usually go live in late summer or early autumn. It’s common for roles to start appearing between August and October, and since the programme is highly competitive, applying early can make a big difference. Once spots begin to fill, it becomes harder to stand out. The official careers page is where new internship listings are posted first, and it’s the best place to track openings in real time.
Salary Insights
Two Sigma is known for offering some of the highest-paying internships in the tech and finance space. Software engineering and quantitative research interns often earn somewhere between $55 and $70 per hour, depending on the role and location. First-year or early undergrad internships might fall slightly below that but still offer strong compensation compared to most entry-level roles. Interns are paid weekly or biweekly, and the pay is competitive enough that students can cover expenses like housing, travel, and personal spending with ease.
Eligibility Criteria
Internships at Two Sigma are open to a wide range of students across different academic levels. Whether you’re an undergraduate, a master’s student, or even a first-year student studying computer science, maths, physics, or data, there’s likely a track that fits your background. Check out the criteria below.
- Must be enrolled in a university or an equivalent program.
- Strong coding background (Python, Java, or C++).
- Experience with algorithms, data structures, or machine learning is a plus.
- Problem-solving ability and an interest in finance or large-scale systems.
- Right to work in the US for in-person roles (some remote options may exist).
- Freshmen programs require no prior internship experience.
- GPA requirements may vary, but strong academics are encouraged.
Application Process for Two Sigma Internships
The application procedure for Two Sigma Internships usually starts online through the company’s official careers portal. After selecting your preferred internship track, you’ll submit your resume and academic information. Here are the steps to applying.
- Visit the official internship page by hitting the “Apply Here” icon.
- Choose your desired internship type (SWE, Quant, First-Year)
- Submit a resume and basic academic info
- Complete coding or case assessments
- Attend technical interviews (online or in person)
- The final round may involve behavioral and team fit interviews
- Wait for the decision via email or your application dashboard
Summary
An internship with Two Sigma is more than just a short-term job. It’s a deep dive into the world of data, technology, and decision-making. From software engineering to quantitative research, each programme is built to challenge students while supporting them every step of the way. With high pay, strong mentorship, and real project work, it’s no surprise that Two Sigma continues to attract top students from around the world. Whether you’re a freshman testing the waters or a final-year student ready for full-time work, this internship offers a learning experience that truly pays off.