USA (Commonwealth Union)_ Kairan Quazi, the 16-year-old Bangladeshi-American tech prodigy who made global headlines when he joined SpaceX at just 14, is now making another surprising career move. After two years at one of the most high-profile companies in aerospace, Quazi has decided to leave Elon Musk’s SpaceX for a new opportunity, and the reason may not be what many expected. Quazi is joining Citadel Securities, one of the world’s leading quantitative trading firms, in a role that blends advanced mathematics, programming, and high-stakes decision-making.
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It’s a shift from building the future of space technology to the fast-paced world of financial markets, and it was entirely by choice. “I was looking for something new,” Quazi explained. “Quantitative finance offers the same level of intellectual depth as AI or aerospace engineering, but the feedback cycle is much faster. You can test ideas, see results, and iterate in real time. That’s very appealing to someone like me.” This wasn’t the only offer on the table. Quazi turned down positions from some of the most prestigious AI labs and tech companies in the world. But Citadel Securities stood out, not just for its reputation, but for its unique culture. “The environment at Citadel Securities is intense and ambitious, just like SpaceX, but it’s a completely different domain,” he said. “It felt like the right next step for me to grow and challenge myself.”
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Relocating to New York City, Quazi has now set up his apartment in Manhattan, just a short walk from his new office. It’s a major transition for someone still in his teens, but Quazi sees it as both a professional advancement and a personal milestone. “New York has always been special to me,” he shared. “Living here and working in this environment feels like the next big chapter in my journey.” Quazi’s story has always stood out. Born in Pleasanton, California, to Bangladeshi parents, Mustahid and Jullia Quazi, his talents were recognized early. By the age of two, doctors had already identified his unusually high cognitive and emotional intelligence. He was soon enrolled in Mensa International and later became part of the Davidson Institute’s Young Scholars program.
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Quazi’s academic achievements are equally remarkable. At just nine years old, Quazi transitioned from third grade directly into college. He graduated with the highest honors in mathematics from Las Positas College by the age of eleven. At 14, he became the youngest graduate in Santa Clara University’s 170-year history, earning a degree in computer science and engineering with distinction, all while tackling graduate-level coursework in advanced algorithms, data mining, and natural language processing. Alongside his studies, he worked as a college tutor in calculus, statistics, and chemistry, teaching students often years older than himself.
At 14, Quazi joined SpaceX’s Starlink division as a software engineer, becoming the youngest hire in the company’s history. There, he contributed to the team responsible for managing satellite beam guidance, a vital part of ensuring reliable global internet coverage through the Starlink network. His work at SpaceX earned him widespread recognition, but Quazi says he always knew he might want to explore different challenges. “The work at SpaceX was fascinating, but it had long project timelines,” he said. “I realized I wanted something more fast-paced and dynamic.”
Now, with a new job, a new city, and a new industry, Quazi is stepping into uncharted territory once again, not just as a brilliant mind but as a young adult navigating life independently. For the first time, he won’t need his mother to drive him to work, as she did during his SpaceX days in Redmond, Washington. His apartment in Manhattan is just 10 minutes from his office, making the move both a practical and symbolic leap forward. Quazi’s journey is far from over, but one thing is clear: he’s charting his course, one unconventional step at a time.
