New York: At just 16 years old, Kairan Quazi continues to capture global attention with his extraordinary career path. The prodigy, who became the youngest engineer ever hired by SpaceX at 14 after earning his computer science degree, has now stepped into the world of finance. This week, he begins his new role as a quantitative developer at Citadel Securities, one of the world’s leading trading firms.
Quazi told Business Insider that after two years at SpaceX, where he contributed to the Starlink satellite project, he felt ready to take on fresh challenges. “Citadel Securities offered the same high-performance culture as SpaceX, but in a completely new domain. That’s very exciting for me,” he said.
Why Citadel Securities?
- Citadel Securities, a sister company of billionaire Ken Griffin’s hedge fund Citadel, is among the world’s top market-makers, executing around 35% of U.S. retail stock trades.
- In 2024, the firm generated nearly $10 billion in revenue, with a record $3.4 billion in Q1 2025, according to reports.
- The firm uses advanced technology and algorithms to trade stocks, options, currencies, and more, making it a natural fit for Quazi’s engineering and problem-solving skills.
- In his new position, he will work on global trading infrastructure, collaborating with both traders and engineers.
- Quazi described the move as a “natural transition” from SpaceX’s fast-paced, high-performance culture.
Turning Down Big Tech & AI Labs
While Citadel won over Quazi, he had no shortage of options. He reportedly received offers from AI research labs and leading tech companies, including major players in Silicon Valley. However, he chose finance because of the fast-paced environment and immediate impact.
“Quant finance provides the intellectual challenge of AI research but at a much faster pace. You see measurable results in days, not months or years,” Quazi explained.
Early Education and Career
- Quazi’s extraordinary journey began at age 10, when he interned at Intel Labs.
- He completed his college degree at 14, specializing in computer science and engineering.
- In 2022, he worked at Blackbird.AI, before joining SpaceX the same year.
- At SpaceX, Quazi contributed to production-critical Starlink systems, helping improve satellite connectivity and speed.
- He credits his mother’s work in mergers and acquisitions for sparking his early interest in finance.
Challenges Along the Way
Despite his brilliance, Quazi has faced unique challenges due to his age. In 2023, LinkedIn banned his account for being underage, a move he publicly criticized as “illogical” given that he was entrusted with critical engineering work at SpaceX but barred from a professional networking platform.
Now, with his transition to Citadel Securities, Quazi has once again broken barriers, proving himself as a rare talent navigating engineering, space technology, and high-stakes finance — all before turning 17.