Latest news with #Bangladeshi-American
Hindustan Times
6 hours ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Bangladesh-origin teen who joined Elon Musk's SpaceX at 14 years age is quitting because…
Kairan Quazi, who joined Elon Musk's SpaceX as an engineer at just 14, is leaving the aerospace company after two years to start a new role at Citadel Securities in New York. The 16-year-old told Business Insider that he felt ready to take on new challenges and expand his skill set in a different high-performance environment. Kairan Quazi leaves SpaceX at 16 to join Citadel Securities in New York. Quazi became the youngest graduate of Santa Clara University before joining SpaceX's Starlink division, where he worked on software that guided satellite beams to deliver reliable internet to millions of users worldwide. His decision to move to Citadel Securities, one of the world's most influential high-frequency trading firms, highlights how the financial sector is competing with top AI labs and major technology companies for engineering talent. Also read: iPhone 17 Pro launch: 3 big design changes Apple could bring in September Why Quazi chose finance over AI Despite receiving offers from leading AI research labs and global technology companies, Quazi opted for Citadel Securities because of its combination of intellectual complexity and rapid feedback. Unlike the longer timelines of aerospace and AI projects, quantitative finance allows engineers to see measurable impact within days. "Quant finance offers the same intellectual challenge as AI research but with much faster results," he said. At SpaceX, Quazi contributed to production-critical systems, ensuring Starlink satellites maintained accuracy in their beam targeting. At Citadel Securities, he will focus on global trading infrastructure, working at the intersection of engineering and quantitative problem-solving. Also read: Godfather of AI reveals a surprising secret for humanity's survival: Are we ready to handle superintelligent machines? Quazi has long defied traditional education and career timelines. A Bangladeshi-American prodigy, he skipped from third grade to college by the age of 9 and completed an internship at Intel Labs at 10. At 14, he became the youngest employee at SpaceX, marking the start of a remarkable early career. Kairan Quazi was born in Pleasanton, California, to Bangladeshi parents Mustahid Quazi and Jullia Quazi. His family traces its roots to the Muslim Quazi community of Manikganj in Bangladesh. His father worked as a chemical engineer, while his mother built a career as a Wall Street executive. Also read: Scam alert: Fake 'Telegram Premium' site spreading Lumma Stealer malware Doctors recognised Kairan's exceptional intellectual and emotional intelligence at the age of two. He went on to join Mensa International and became a member of the Davidson Institute's Young Scholar programme, marking the beginning of his journey as a prodigy. Now, at 16, he is set to live independently in Manhattan, with his new workplace just a 10-minute walk from his apartment. The move also marks a personal milestone, freeing him from the logistical challenges of his mother driving him to SpaceX's Redmond office due to his lack of a driving licence.
Time of India
10 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Kairan Quazi, who joined Elon Musk's SpaceX as engineer at 14, is leaving; says: I felt…
Elon Musk 's teen prodigy Kairan Quazi is trading rockets for trading algorithms, leaving SpaceX after two years to join quantitative trading giant Citadel Securities as a developer in New York City. "I felt ready to take on new challenges and expand my skill set into a different high-performance environment," the 16-year-old told Business Insider in an exclusive interview. Quazi, who became the youngest graduate of Santa Clara University before joining SpaceX's Starlink division at age 14, will start this week at Citadel Securities, one of the world's premier high-frequency trading firms. The move represents a significant coup for the financial industry as it competes with AI labs and big tech companies for top engineering talent. From satellite beams to trading algorithms: Why Quazi chose finance over AI Despite receiving offers from leading AI laboratories and major technology companies, Quazi selected Citadel Securities for its unique combination of intellectual challenge and rapid feedback loops. At SpaceX, he worked on production-critical systems, designing software that determines where Starlink satellites target their beams to ensure reliable internet connections for millions of customers. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Use an AI Writing Tool That Actually Understands Your Voice Grammarly Install Now Undo "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 to Business Insider. "At Citadel Securities, I'll be able to see measurable impact in days, not months or years." Teen prodigy embraces Wall Street's meritocratic culture Quazi praised Citadel Securities' meritocratic approach, noting the firm didn't use his age as a barrier to opportunities. The Bangladeshi-American prodigy, who jumped from third grade to college at age 9 and interned at Intel Labs at 10, will work on global trading infrastructure at the intersection of engineering and quantitative problem-solving. Living independently in Manhattan, Quazi will enjoy a 10-minute walk to work, a significant upgrade from requiring his mother to drive him to SpaceX's Redmond office, as he still doesn't have a driver's license.
10-08-2025
Hundreds honor security guard killed in New York office tower shooting
NEW YORK -- Hundreds turned out to honor the life of Aland Etienne, the security guard who was killed last month at a Manhattan office tower by a gunman targeting the headquarters of the National Football League. An immigrant from Haiti who came to the U.S. in 2017 with a dream for a new life, Etienne was remembered as a dedicated father and grandfather who was faithfully working at his security post when the gunman suddenly opened fire on July 28. 'My brother will be remembered as a hero. A humble, steady, kind New York hero,' said Smith Etienne, Aland's brother, in a statement. 'Aland made the ultimate sacrifice, choosing bravery and selflessness over fear. In his final moments, he acted to protect others.' The memorial service was held Saturday in Brooklyn for Etienne, 46, the last of the four shooting victims to be laid to rest. A New York City police officer, an investment firm executive and a real estate firm worker were also killed. The gunman wounded a fifth person before taking his own life. Like Etienne, slain NYPD Officer Didarul Islam, who was working a department-approved private security detail that day, was an immigrant. Islam was Bangladeshi-American. Manny Pastreich, president of Etienne's union, 32BJ SEIU, said Etienne represents not only essential workers who are the backbone of New York City, but also immigrants who come to the U.S. to build a better life and contribute in both large and small ways. 'His legacy will serve as a reminder of the contributions of immigrants, and the sacrifices, they make every day,' Pastreich said in a statement.
San Francisco Chronicle
10-08-2025
- San Francisco Chronicle
Hundreds honor security guard killed in New York office tower shooting
NEW YORK (AP) — Hundreds turned out to honor the life of Aland Etienne, the security guard who was killed last month at a Manhattan office tower by a gunman targeting the headquarters of the National Football League. An immigrant from Haiti who came to the U.S. in 2017 with a dream for a new life, Etienne was remembered as a dedicated father and grandfather who was faithfully working at his security post when the gunman suddenly opened fire on July 28. 'My brother will be remembered as a hero. A humble, steady, kind New York hero,' said Smith Etienne, Aland's brother, in a statement. 'Aland made the ultimate sacrifice, choosing bravery and selflessness over fear. In his final moments, he acted to protect others.' The memorial service was held Saturday in Brooklyn for Etienne, 46, the last of the four shooting victims to be laid to rest. A New York City police officer, an investment firm executive and a real estate firm worker were also killed. The gunman wounded a fifth person before taking his own life. Like Etienne, slain NYPD Officer Didarul Islam, who was working a department-approved private security detail that day, was an immigrant. Islam was Bangladeshi-American. Manny Pastreich, president of Etienne's union, 32BJ SEIU, said Etienne represents not only essential workers who are the backbone of New York City, but also immigrants who come to the U.S. to build a better life and contribute in both large and small ways. 'His legacy will serve as a reminder of the contributions of immigrants, and the sacrifices, they make every day,' Pastreich said in a statement.
Winnipeg Free Press
10-08-2025
- Winnipeg Free Press
Hundreds honor security guard killed in New York office tower shooting
NEW YORK (AP) — Hundreds turned out to honor the life of Aland Etienne, the security guard who was killed last month at a Manhattan office tower by a gunman targeting the headquarters of the National Football League. An immigrant from Haiti who came to the U.S. in 2017 with a dream for a new life, Etienne was remembered as a dedicated father and grandfather who was faithfully working at his security post when the gunman suddenly opened fire on July 28. 'My brother will be remembered as a hero. A humble, steady, kind New York hero,' said Smith Etienne, Aland's brother, in a statement. 'Aland made the ultimate sacrifice, choosing bravery and selflessness over fear. In his final moments, he acted to protect others.' The memorial service was held Saturday in Brooklyn for Etienne, 46, the last of the four shooting victims to be laid to rest. A New York City police officer, an investment firm executive and a real estate firm worker were also killed. The gunman wounded a fifth person before taking his own life. Like Etienne, slain NYPD Officer Didarul Islam, who was working a department-approved private security detail that day, was an immigrant. Islam was Bangladeshi-American. Manny Pastreich, president of Etienne's union, 32BJ SEIU, said Etienne represents not only essential workers who are the backbone of New York City, but also immigrants who come to the U.S. to build a better life and contribute in both large and small ways. 'His legacy will serve as a reminder of the contributions of immigrants, and the sacrifices, they make every day,' Pastreich said in a statement. Security officers from buildings across New York held a vigil last week to honor Etienne.
