Lead Architect – Digital Assets

Euronext; Paris; Sur place; EUR 180 000 - 240 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

Euronext in Paris seeks a hands-on Head of Engineering – Digital Assets to own the technical architecture, set the engineering bar, and lead the build as a player-coach within the CEDS Digital Asset team.

You will design tokenised platforms, define cross-chain topology, on-chain compliance, custody and key management, and guide the team from build to run while collaborating with product, legal and regulators.

Qualifications

• 7+ years in solution architecture, incl. 3+ years in DLT/blockchain.
• Deep distributed-systems and DLT architecture experience.
• Fluency with EVM and permissioned chains (Besu, Canton).
• Knowledge of regulated security-token standards and on-chain compliance.
• Secure-architecture and threat modelling for high-value financial systems.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management.
• Degree in CS/engineering; cloud or blockchain certs are a plus.

Responsabilités

• Own end-to-end architecture for digital asset solutions across trading, settlement, custody and CSD.
• Design cross-chain topology for institutional and DeFi use.
• Define on-chain compliance model and AML/KYC controls.
• Architect custody and key management with MPC and hybrid BYOC.
• Set standards for code, reviews, testing, and secure delivery.
• Lead threat modelling and security architecture until security lead is in place.
• Plan team evolution as products move from build to run.
• Make build/buy/partner decisions with Product.
• Collaborate with product, legal, regulatory, clearing, CSD and client groups.
• Stay hands-on in incidents and high-risk components.

Connaissances

Distributed systems & DLT architecture

EVM & permissioned chains (Besu, Cant​

Formation

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science / Engineering

Blockchain / cloud certifications

Outils

Hyperledger Besu

Canton Network

Ethereum

MPC custody solutions

Description du poste

About the Role

Are you ready to shape the future of capital markets? We are looking for a hands‑on Head of Engineering – Digital Assets to own our technical architecture, set the engineering bar, and lead the build as a player‑coach. You will join the CEDS Digital Asset team. The position will be based in Paris, and start as soon as possible. You will report to the CTO Digital Assets.

About the Mission

You will architect the platform behind Euronext’s first tokenised offerings. The role spans two live programmes already in design:

• A tokenised issuance, trading and settlement platform (equities, ETFs and bonds), with a 24/7 central limit order book, fractional trading, CCP‑cleared trades and end‑of‑day atomic DvP settlement on chain.
• A tokenised collateral‑management platform for sovereign bonds, enabling real‑time repo, CCP‑margin eligibility and DeFi distribution of govies through gated lending venues.

Both are built on the same conviction: the token is the financial instrument (no wrapper), one ISIN means one ledger, and the CSD drives tokenisation. You will turn these principles into a concrete, secure and auditable architecture.

What you’ll do

• Own end‑to‑end architecture for digital asset solutions, combining distributed ledger technology (DLT) with traditional market infrastructure (trading, clearing, settlement, custody and CSD).
• Design cross‑chain topology – permissioned chains for the institutional/CCP side (Hyperledger Besu, Canton Network candidates) and public chains for DeFi distribution (Ethereum / L2).
• Define the on‑chain compliance model: regulated security‑token standards (ERC‑3643 / T‑REX), KYC‑whitelisted wallets, on‑chain transfer restrictions, AML screening on every transfer (Chainalysis / Elliptic) and transaction reporting (MiFIR).
• Architect custody and key management around MPC solutions (Fireblocks, Taurus candidates), including a hybrid model that supports bring‑your‑own‑custody for institutions that require it.
• Set standards for code, review, testing, and secure‑by‑design delivery.
• Lead threat modelling and security architecture until a dedicated security lead is in place.
• Plan and lead the evolution of the team as products move from build to run.
• Make build/buy/partner decisions on chain, custody, and audit with Product.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams – product, legal, regulatory, clearing, CSD and client working groups – to ensure alignment with business objectives and the evolving regulatory framework (DLT Pilot Regime, MiFID II, MiCA).
• Stay hands‑on in incidents and on the highest‑risk components.

What you bring

• Deep distributed‑systems and DLT architecture experience; fluency with EVM and permissioned chains (e.g. Canton, Besu).
• Hands‑on understanding of token standards for regulated securities (ERC‑3643 / T‑REX or equivalent), on‑chain compliance, and the security pitfalls of smart contracts and cross‑chain bridges.
• Proven secure‑architecture and threat‑modelling skills for high‑value financial systems operating 24×7 with zero downtime.Working knowledge of capital‑markets settlement (delivery‑versus‑payment, CSD, CCP/clearing) sufficient to design integrations.
• Player‑coach leadership; decisive and calm under pressure.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder‑management skills, comfortable bridging engineering, business, legal and regulatory audiences.
• Minimum seven years of experience in solution architecture, including at least three years in DLT or blockchain projects.
• Degree in computer science, engineering or related field; certifications in cloud or blockchain technologies are a plus.

AI Engineering Skills (required)

• Define and lead an AI‑augmented software‑delivery process: coding assistants, smart‑contract scaffolding, AI‑generated test suites – and a clear view of where AI must not be relied on (security and risk sign‑off).
• Set guardrails for AI‑assisted code: review gates, secret and prompt hygiene, and licence/provenance checks on generated code.
• Evaluate and select AI tooling; judge where productivity gains are real.
• Able to specify AI‑in‑product capabilities (e.g. anomaly detection, operational triage) and their risk controls.

Why Euronext

• Being part of a European, international and diverse team – collaborate across borders with talented colleagues connected by a shared ambition and purpose.
• Learning as you grow – develop your skills through continuous learning, real responsibilities and flexible career paths that evolve with you.
• Having an impact – contribute to projects that matter, in an agile and dynamic environment where your ideas help drive progress.
• Driving sustainability – play an active role in building transparent, responsible and sustainable capital markets for the long term.

Additional Information

This job description is only describing the main activities within a certain role and is not exhaustive. It does not prevent adding more tasks, projects.

Equal Opportunity Employer

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate against individuals on the basis of race, gender, age, citizenship, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, or any other legally protected factor. We value the unique talents of all our people, who come from diverse backgrounds with different personal experiences and points of view and we are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect.