Hudson River Trading Interview Process & Prep
HRT is famous for some of the hardest mental-math and probability questions in the industry. Coding screens are short and exact; onsites are conversational but mathematically demanding. Expect to derive results live on a whiteboard, often without a calculator.
The Hudson River Trading interview funnel
1. Online Assessment
~70-150 min - HackerRank / CodeSignalHRT's biggest cut - the large majority of applicants are eliminated here. The set is role-dependent: the Algo Developer OA is ~150 min, 3 problems from a stable recycled canon (Fancy Number, a 2048 / Reversi-Othello board simulation, and an N-ary tree pre-order/merge); SWE / SDE interns get a CodeSignal 'General' set (~70-90 min, ~4 LeetCode-style problems, often a resume-screen auto-send); the Quant Analyst OA is short and C++-only (30 min, 2 low-level problems). HRT grades correctness AND clean, tight, edge-case-correct code - not just whether the visible tests pass.
2. Probability & Brainteaser Phone Screen
45 min - videoA conversational quant screen built around HRT's signature hard probability. Expect probability, expected value, and brainteaser / mental-math questions (Gambler's Ruin, coupon collector, waiting times, fair-value of a bet), pushed for a clean derivation and the reasoning behind it - not just the final number. This is the Quant Analyst / QR-flavoured screen; SWE / Algo-Developer candidates instead get the live programming screen below and the systems / architecture rounds at the onsite.
3. Programming Phone Screen
45-60 min - CoderPad - C++ or PythonA live coding round tuned to the team you are interviewing for. For core/low-latency roles expect C++ specifics - pointers and references, memory management, move semantics - alongside an algorithmic problem. Get to a correct first solution, then expect an optimization / complexity conversation.
4. Onsite (Final Round)
Full day - back-to-back roundsA full day of back-to-back sessions (virtual or in person). Multiple programming rounds (harder than the screen, with optimization and systems-level reasoning), a systems / architecture discussion, problem-solving, and a project / behavioural deep-dive that probes collaboration, teachability, and communication. HRT weights how you think and work with others, not just whether you reach the answer.
Hudson River Trading interview — FAQ
What is the Hudson River Trading interview process?
HRT is famous for some of the hardest mental-math and probability questions in the industry. Coding screens are short and exact; onsites are conversational but mathematically demanding. Expect to derive results live on a whiteboard, often without a calculator. The loop runs 4 stages: Online Assessment, Probability & Brainteaser Phone Screen, Programming Phone Screen, Onsite (Final Round).
How many rounds does Hudson River Trading have?
4 stages in total, starting with the Online Assessment and ending with the Onsite (Final Round).
How do I prepare for the Hudson River Trading interview?
Work the stage notes above, then drill the Hudson River Trading interview-questions set and the Hudson River Trading online-assessment practice — each problem has a full worked solution.