Trade Surveillance Analyst

Job description

ABOUT POLYMARKET Polymarket is the world's largest prediction market platform. We enable individuals to express views on real-world events by trading on outcomes across politics, economics, sports, culture, and current affairs. Built as a peer-to-peer marketplace with no centralized "house," Polymarket aggregates diverse opinions into transparent, market-based probabilities that reflect collective expectations about the future. We're growing fast, both in terms of volume ($21B traded in 2025) and adoption as an alternative news source. Our ambition is to become a ubiquitous beacon of truth in global media and we need your help adding fuel to the fire. ABOUT THE ROLE Polymarket operates as a CFTC-registered Designated Contract Market. That regulatory status is core to how we operate, and maintaining market integrity is not a checkbox exercise. The Market Regulation team is responsible for making sure trading activity across our platform is clean, fair, and defensible to our regulator. The team is small, which means the work is real from day one. As a Trade Surveillance Analyst, you will own the daily alert queue. That means triaging flagged activity, distinguishing genuine risk from noise, writing case documentation, and escalating what needs to go up the chain. You will also work directly with senior staff on threshold calibration and support CFTC examination prep when it comes around. This is an entry-level role, but the work carries real regulatory weight. If you want to build expertise in derivatives market oversight at a company that is actively reshaping how people engage with information and markets, this is the right seat. WHAT YOU'LL DO - Triage the daily surveillance alert queue, reviewing flagged trading activity for spoofing, layering, wash trading, front-running, and other manipulative patterns. - Investigate alerts end-to-end, pulling and analyzing order book data, position information, and trade history using SQL, Python, or internal tools. - Write clear, well-documented case summaries for both routine closures and escalations to senior staff. - Maintain accurate case records and investigation files consistent with CFTC Core Principle 2 recordkeeping requirements. - Support senior analysts in reviewing and calibrating automated surveillance thresholds to reduce noise and improve signal quality. - Assist in preparing documentation, reports, and materials for CFTC examinations and regulatory audits. - Stay current on CFTC rules, DCM Core Principles, and relevant developments in exchange market structure. WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR - 0 to 3 years of experience in trade surveillance, market regulation, exchange operations, or financial services compliance. - Working knowledge of futures and options markets, including how order books function and how exchange trading mechanics work. - Familiarity with CFTC regulations and DCM Core Principles, or a demonstrated willingness to get up to speed quickly. - Proficiency in Excel and structured data analysis, with the ability to translate raw trading data into documented findings. - Strong written communication skills, specifically for producing case documentation that holds up to regulatory scrutiny. - Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities, and make sound judgment calls under time pressure. - (Plus) Hands-on experience with automated surveillance platforms such as Nasdaq Surveillance or Validus. - (Plus) SQL or Python used in a compliance or trading context, not just academic exposure. - (Plus) Prior experience in a regulated financial environment such as an exchange, FCM, or introducing broker. BENEFITS - Competitive salary & equity - Full Health, Vision, & Dental coverage - 401k match - Hardware setup: new MacBook Pro, big display, & accessories