Kairan Quazi: From SpaceX Engineer at 14 to Wall Street Prodigy at 16

How a teenage prodigy who coded for satellites at 14 is now shaping the future of finance on Wall Street.

Early Life & Acceleration

Kairan Quazi’s journey began far ahead of his peers. By the age of nine, while most children were learning multiplication tables, he was already exploring advanced mathematics and computer science. His extraordinary intellectual growth led him to skip traditional schooling routes and start attending college-level courses at an incredibly young age.

College at 11, Graduate at 14

At just 11 years old, Kairan Quazi joined Santa Clara University to study computer science and engineering. By the age of 14, he had already completed his degree, becoming the youngest graduate in the university’s long history.

What set him apart wasn’t just speed but depth—his research and projects tackled real-world challenges, including artificial intelligence and advanced computing. This ability to not only learn but also apply knowledge placed him on the radar of top companies.

Journey at SpaceX

In 2023, at just 14 years old, Kairan joined SpaceX’s Starlink division as a software engineer, making headlines as the youngest-ever engineer at the company.

Working on Starlink meant contributing to one of the most ambitious projects in the world—building a global satellite-based internet network. For Kairan, this wasn’t just an internship or a symbolic role; he worked directly on systems that helped satellites deliver internet connectivity to remote corners of the globe.

His move to SpaceX also highlighted an important cultural shift in technology companies: focusing on talent and capability rather than age. Many firms initially rejected him for being “too young,” but SpaceX recognized his potential and gave him the opportunity to prove himself.

Why Wall Street?

After achieving the incredible feat of working on cutting-edge space technology, Kairan chose a new challenge: quantitative finance. At first glance, moving from rockets to stocks may seem unusual, but the connection is clear.

Both fields demand:

High-performance computing skills
Ability to solve complex problems under pressure
Strong mathematical and algorithmic foundations

Wall Street offered Kairan something different: faster feedback loops. Unlike aerospace, where testing cycles can take months or even years, finance allows developers to see the impact of their work in days or even seconds. For someone who thrives on quick learning and iteration, it was a natural next step.

Role at Citadel Securities

At just 16, Kairan Quazi joined Citadel Securities in New York as a Quantitative Developer. The role involves building advanced trading infrastructure, working with systems that operate in real-time, and ensuring trading decisions are executed at lightning speed.

For Kairan, this transition made sense. His experience optimizing satellite communication systems at SpaceX translated directly into managing complex trading systems. Both require precision, reliability, and scalability at a global level.

His story also carries symbolism: at 14 he conquered space technology, and at 16 he stepped into one of the most competitive financial ecosystems in the world.

Lessons for Students & Parents

Kairan Quazi’s story isn’t just inspiring—it’s instructive. Here are some lessons to take away:

Pace Matters More Than Age – Education should match a student’s ability, not their birth year.
Projects Over Grades – Real-world applications and problem-solving matter more than test scores.
Chase Challenges, Not Titles – He didn’t choose industries for prestige but for the problems they allowed him to solve.
Break Age Barriers – Competence should matter more than age. His success proves that ability should lead opportunities.

What This Means for Young Innovators

Kairan Quazi’s journey shows that young innovators can achieve extraordinary things if given the right environment and support.

Build a portfolio of real projects. Don’t just study—create.
Master fundamentals. Algorithms, mathematics, and problem-solving open doors across industries.
Seek high-feedback environments. Whether startups, labs, or trading firms, work where results are visible quickly.
Tell your story. Documenting achievements clearly can help overcome biases around age or background.

His move from satellites to Wall Street proves that skills are transferable—and innovation happens where curiosity meets opportunity.

Quick Facts

Name: Kairan Quazi
Age: 16
Education: Youngest graduate of Santa Clara University (Computer Science & Engineering)
Career Milestones:
- SpaceX Starlink engineer at 14
- Joined Citadel Securities at 16 as Quantitative Developer
Known For: Youngest engineer at SpaceX and one of the youngest professionals on Wall Street

Kairan Quazi’s path may sound extraordinary, but at its core, it’s about matching curiosity with opportunity. From coding satellites at 14 to shaping trading systems at 16, his journey proves that the future belongs to those who are unafraid to leap between worlds.

For students, educators, and parents alike, his story is a reminder: learning is not about speed, but about fit, focus, and fearless problem-solving.

Perfect 👍 Adding FAQs will boost SEO (especially with Google’s “People Also Ask” section). Here’s a strong FAQ section for your Kairan Quazi blog:

FAQs on Kairan Quazi

1. Who is Kairan Quazi?

Kairan Quazi is a teenage prodigy who became the youngest graduate of Santa Clara University at 14, worked at SpaceX’s Starlink division as a software engineer, and later joined Wall Street’s Citadel Securities as a Quantitative Developer at just 16.

2. How old was Kairan Quazi when he joined SpaceX?

Kairan Quazi was only 14 years old when he joined SpaceX as a software engineer in the Starlink division, making him the youngest engineer ever hired by the company.

3. What role does Kairan Quazi have on Wall Street?

At 16, Kairan joined Citadel Securities in New York as a Quantitative Developer, where he works on building and optimizing global trading infrastructure for one of the world’s leading trading firms.

4. Why did Kairan Quazi move from SpaceX to Wall Street?

Kairan explained that he wanted to work in an environment with faster feedback loops. While aerospace projects take months or years to test results, quantitative finance allows him to see the impact of his work within days or even seconds.

5. What makes Kairan Quazi’s story inspiring?

Kairan’s journey shows that talent and capability matter more than age. From becoming a university graduate at 14 to shaping technology at SpaceX and now finance at 16, his story inspires young learners to pursue challenges fearlessly.

6. What can students learn from Kairan Quazi’s journey?

Students can learn the importance of building real-world projects, mastering core skills like math and coding, and choosing environments where learning and growth are fast. His story proves that opportunities come when you focus on solving problems rather than chasing titles.

7. Is Kairan Quazi the youngest engineer in SpaceX history?

Yes, Kairan Quazi is widely recognized as the youngest engineer to ever work at SpaceX, joining the Starlink project at just 14 years old.

8. Which university did Kairan Quazi graduate from?

Kairan Quazi graduated from Santa Clara University with a degree in Computer Science and Engineering at the age of 14, becoming the youngest graduate in the school’s history.