The tech world is buzzing with shocking news about Kairan Quazi, the 16-year-old prodigy who has made headlines once again. After spending two years as the youngest engineer at Elon Musk’s SpaceX, Quazi has surprised everyone by leaving rocket science for the fast-paced world of Wall Street.
From Space to Wall Street: The Big Move
In August 2025, Kairan Quazi joined Citadel Securities in New York as a quantitative developer. This move has caught the attention of both tech and finance industries worldwide.
“After two years at SpaceX, I felt ready to take on new challenges and expand my skill set into a different high-performance environment. Citadel Securities offered a similarly ambitious culture, but also a completely new domain, which is very exciting for me,” Quazi told Business Insider.
Why He Chose Finance Over Tech Giants
Despite receiving offers from top AI labs and major technology companies, Quazi chose the finance world for very specific reasons:
- Faster Results: In finance, he can see results in days instead of months or years
- Intellectual Challenge: Combines complexity similar to AI research but with quicker feedback
- Meritocratic Culture: Companies value skills over age
“Quant finance offers a pretty rare combination: the complexity and intellectual challenge that AI research also provides, but with a much faster pace,” Quazi explained.
The Journey of a Child Prodigy
Kairan Quazi’s story reads like something from a movie. Born in 2009 to Bangladeshi parents in California, his journey has been nothing short of extraordinary:
Early Achievements
- Age 2: Showed exceptional intelligence
- Age 9: Left third grade to attend college
- Age 10: Interned at Intel Labs
- Age 11: Transferred to Santa Clara University
- Age 14: Became the youngest graduate in the university’s 172-year history
- Age 14: Joined SpaceX as their youngest engineer ever
His Time at SpaceX
At SpaceX, Quazi wasn’t just doing simple tasks. He worked on critical Starlink satellite systems, designing software that determines where satellites target their internet beams. His work directly impacted millions of users worldwide.
Life in New York City
Now living independently in Manhattan, Quazi has embraced his new life on Wall Street. His apartment is just a 10-minute walk from Citadel Securities’ Park Avenue office.
“New York has a very special place in my heart. My mom grew up in Astoria, Queens, and I have a lot of family there,” Quazi shared.
Unlike his SpaceX days when his mother had to drive him to work, he now enjoys the freedom of walking to his office.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How old is Kairan Quazi now?
A: Kairan Quazi is currently 16 years old, born in 2009.
Q: What does he do at Citadel Securities?
A: He works as a quantitative developer on global trading infrastructure, combining engineering and quantitative problem-solving.
Q: Why did he leave SpaceX?
A: He wanted new challenges and was attracted to the faster pace and immediate feedback in quantitative finance.
Q: What makes him special?
A: He became the youngest college graduate at Santa Clara University and the youngest SpaceX engineer in company history.
What This Means for the Future
Kairan Quazi’s move from SpaceX to Citadel Securities represents more than just a job change. It shows how the finance industry is competing with tech companies for top talent. For someone who has consistently defied age-related expectations, this career pivot proves that brilliance knows no boundaries.
His story continues to inspire young minds worldwide, showing that with talent, determination, and the right opportunities, age is truly just a number in achieving extraordinary success.
