This Is the Youngster Who Started University at 9, Became a SpaceX Engineer at 14, and Now, at 16, Shocks by Switching Elon Musk for Wall Street

Written by Valdemar Medeiros

Published on 29/08/2025 at 10:36

Foto: Reprodução/Xataka

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Kairan Quazi, Prodigy of Technology, Started University at 9 Years Old, Was Young Hired by SpaceX, and Today Leaves His Career at Elon Musk’s SpaceX to Work on Wall Street

At nine years old, he entered university; at 14, he became an engineer at SpaceX; and now, at 16, he surprises everyone by trading Elon Musk for Wall Street. Kairan Quazi’s journey — a true technology prodigy — shows how talent and opportunities shape extraordinary careers.

After a remarkable time at Elon Musk’s SpaceX, where he joined the Starlink program team, Quazi decided to migrate to one of the most competitive financial centers in the world: Citadel Securities in New York. His case draws global attention and raises discussions about meritocracy, early education, inclusion, and professional impact.

The Young Hired by SpaceX: The Journey of Kairan Quazi

Kairan Quazi’s story is marked by impressive milestones:

ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW

Education and First Steps in the World of Technology

Before arriving at his career at SpaceX, Quazi gained remarkable experiences. At ten years old, he interned at Intel Labs, participating in generative artificial intelligence projects. Later, he worked in machine learning research at Blackbird.AI, a cyber-intelligence company.

These opportunities confirmed that his talent was not only academic but also practical and applied to real-world problems. Teachers and peers highlighted not only his cognitive ability but also his emotional maturity — essential for functioning in high-pressure environments from an early age.

Career at SpaceX – Elon Musk

Kairan’s hiring by SpaceX was not straightforward. Before being accepted, he faced several rejections in selection processes, all based on his age.

When he finally entered in 2023, he became part of the team responsible for developing software that guides the Starlink satellite beams, a crucial project for global connectivity.

At Elon Musk’s SpaceX, he was recognized as an associate engineer, taking on technical responsibilities that required precision and innovation. Despite this, he faced unusual situations: his LinkedIn account was suspended because he was under 16 years old, an episode he classified as “primitive nonsense.”

His time at Elon Musk’s company was crucial in consolidating his experience in high-level engineering and demonstrating to the market that his age did not limit his competence.

From Space to the Stock Market: The Move to Wall Street

At 16, Kairan decided to leave aerospace engineering and take on a new challenge: the world of quantitative finance. Citadel Securities, regarded as one of the largest market makers in the world, was his choice.

At the company, he works as a quant developer, developing technological solutions for trading infrastructure. Citadel has a significant role: in 2024, it reported nearly US$ 10 billion in revenue, and in the first quarter of 2025, it obtained US$ 3.4 billion — data that reveals the dynamism and impact of the sector Quazi is now part of.

He explained that he sought a faster-paced and more intellectual environment, where he could see direct results from his work within short deadlines. This motivation contrasts with the development of aerospace technologies, which often require years of research before practical application.

What It Means to Be a Prodigy of Technology?

Quazi’s journey helps redefine the concept of a technology prodigy. He is not just someone with high intellectual capability, but also a person who found space in organizations willing to break traditional patterns.

By entering SpaceX and later Citadel, he showed that meritocracy can prevail over cultural barriers, such as the belief that only adults can take on high-responsibility roles.

Furthermore, the young man reinforces the debate about inclusion of early talents in professional environments. His case exposes how society is often slow to adapt educational and corporate structures to those who deviate from the “normal” development standard.

Impacts of the Career at SpaceX and the Decision to Move

The career at SpaceX was a turning point for Quazi. While it consolidated his reputation as an engineer at SpaceX, it also served as a springboard to new horizons.

The decision to migrate to Wall Street does not mean a break with technology, but rather an adaptation: the financial sector increasingly depends on artificial intelligence, algorithms, and real-time solutions to maintain competitiveness.

His presence at Citadel demonstrates how hybrid careers — that combine technology, science, and finance — are becoming a growing trend for highly qualified young individuals.

This Is the Youngster Who Started University at 9, Became a SpaceX Engineer at 14, and Now, at 16, Shocks by Switching Elon Musk for Wall Street

Kairan Quazi, Prodigy of Technology, Started University at 9 Years Old, Was Young Hired by SpaceX, and Today Leaves His Career at Elon Musk’s SpaceX to Work on Wall Street

The Young Hired by SpaceX: The Journey of Kairan Quazi

Education and First Steps in the World of Technology

Career at SpaceX – Elon Musk

From Space to the Stock Market: The Move to Wall Street

What It Means to Be a Prodigy of Technology?

Impacts of the Career at SpaceX and the Decision to Move

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This Is the Youngster Who Started University at 9, Became a SpaceX Engineer at 14, and Now, at 16, Shocks by Switching Elon Musk for Wall Street

Kairan Quazi, Prodigy of Technology, Started University at 9 Years Old, Was Young Hired by SpaceX, and Today Leaves His Career at Elon Musk’s SpaceX to Work on Wall Street

The Young Hired by SpaceX: The Journey of Kairan Quazi

Education and First Steps in the World of Technology

Career at SpaceX – Elon Musk

From Space to the Stock Market: The Move to Wall Street

What It Means to Be a Prodigy of Technology?

Impacts of the Career at SpaceX and the Decision to Move

Gaddafi built the world’s largest artificial river under the Sahara — it’s 4,000 km of giant pipes that pump 40,000-year-old fossil water to entire cities in Libya.

Discovery in Africa scares even scientists: a study published on April 23 reveals that the crust in Turkana has become so thin that it could pave the way for the continent’s division and the emergence of an ocean in the future, in a gigantic geological transformation.

Austria inaugurates Europe’s first high-speed railway outside China — trains travel at 250 km/h through 33 km tunnels in the Alps that took 27 years to drill

An unmanned Russian ship has been drifting in the Mediterranean for 57 days with 60,000 tons of gas — the second towing attempt has just failed.

2 scientists analyzed in a new study whether the construction of a mega dam in the Bering Strait could be the last barrier against climate collapse, to protect one of the world’s most important ocean currents.

An MIT startup is betting on superhot geothermal in Oregon and building the world’s first plant of its kind, targeting rocks above 300°C to generate 50 MW by 2030 and expand the project to 250 MW with few wells.

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