Archive · 21 Aug 2025
Teen SpaceX Engineer, 16, Transitions to Citadel Securities
A very smart 16-year-old named Kairan Quazi is changing jobs.
He's leaving SpaceX, where he was an engineer, and going to work for Citadel Securities in New York City.
Kairan chose this new job because he wanted to try something different and learn new skills in a fast-paced environment, moving from space technology to finance.
His new company is involved in high-speed trading.
Elon Musk, the owner of SpaceX, said he didn't know about Quazi until reports of the move came out.
Kairan Quazi, 16, is leaving SpaceX after two years as an engineer.
He is joining Citadel Securities in New York City as a quantitative developer.
Quazi previously worked in SpaceX's Starlink division.
He chose finance, turning down offers in AI and big tech.
Elon Musk stated he had never heard of Quazi before reports of the move.
- Who
- Kairan Quazi, a 16-year-old engineer.
- What
- Kairan Quazi is leaving SpaceX to join Citadel Securities.
- When
- Recently, after two years at SpaceX.
- Where
- New York City.
- Why
- Quazi sought new challenges and a different work environment.
Aerospace
Finance
Industry Focus
Aerospace
SpaceX Focus
Finance
Citadel's Focus
- Age
- 16
- Previous Employer
- SpaceX
- New Employer
- Citadel Securities
- New Role
- Quantitative Developer
- Location
- New York City
- Previous Role
- Software Engineer
Sources
Teen, Who Built Elon Musk’s Starlink Software, Is Now A Wall Street Quant Developer
Here is why Bangladeshi 16-year-old teenager leaves Elon Musk’s SpaceX: Reason would surprise you
Kairan Quazi, 16-Year-Old Teen Prodigy, Leaves Elon Musk's Company To Join Another
Who is Kairan Quazi, the 16-year-old prodigy leaving Elon Musk’s SpaceX?
