Forward Deployed Engineer

DRH Search; New York (NY); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A blockchain-focused technology firm in New York is seeking an experienced engineer to collaborate with teams, develop tailored blockchain solutions, and engage directly with clients. The ideal candidate possesses a strong technical foundation and excels in fast-paced environments. Responsibilities include designing blockchain systems, building infrastructure, and guiding stakeholders in blockchain adoption. The role demands exceptional communication skills, ownership of projects, and the ability to solve complex operational challenges.

Qualifications

• Understanding of data structures, algorithms, and systems architecture.
• Ability to translate between technical and business contexts.
• Proven ability to take initiative and drive projects to completion.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate closely with teams to design and deploy blockchain systems.
• Build and operate blockchain infrastructure and data pipelines.
• Engage with stakeholders to guide blockchain adoption and delivery.

Skills

Strong technical foundation

Exceptional communicator

Ownership bias

Systems thinker

Forward-deployed mindset

Startup‑ready

Education

Degree in Computer Science, Mathematics, Engineering, Physics, or a related technical field

Tools

Hands-on familiarity with blockchain systems (EVM, Avalanche, Cosmos, Layer 2s)

Experience in distributed systems

Knowledge in production debugging

Job description

What you'll do

• Collaborate deeply across teams:Work shoulder-to-shoulder with engineers, product leaders, and our portfolio companies to design, build, and deploy blockchain-powered systems that solve real business problems.

• Engineer and integrate at scale:Build and operate blockchain infrastructure (Avalanche subnet or EVM-compatible), fintech layers, and data pipelines that anchor financial and operational workflows on-chain.

• Develop bespoke solutions:Design and deliver custom applications, APIs, and integrations that translate complex business needs into production-grade systems across diverse industries.

• Engage directly with customers:Partner with stakeholders from technical leads to CEOs, guiding blockchain adoption through clear communication, rigorous execution, and pragmatic trade-offs.

• Drive end-to-end delivery:Own projects from ideation through deployment. Navigate ambiguity, adapt rapidly, and raise your threshold for solving hard, messy problems that create real enterprise value.

What you'll bring

• Strong technical foundation: Degree in Computer Science, Mathematics, Engineering, Physics, or a related technical field. You understand data structures, algorithms, and systems architecture, and you can apply them pragmatically.

• Forward‑deployed mindset: You thrive working close to the customer, embedding with real teams to solve operational problems hands‑on and at speed.

• Systems thinker: You see how pieces fit together — from data models to user experiences — and design solutions that work end-to-end.

• Exceptional communicator: You can fluidly translate between technical and business contexts, from code reviews with engineers to strategy discussions with executives.

• Ownership bias: You take initiative, define paths where none exist, and see projects through to production.

• Startup‑ready: You prefer velocity over bureaucracy and impact over process. You’re energized by building in ambiguity and scaling what works.

Nice to haves

• Hands‑on familiarity with blockchain systems (EVM, Avalanche, Cosmos, Layer 2s).

• Fintech or payments experience (KYC/KYB, custody, settlement).

• Background in distributed systems, data pipelines, or production debugging.

• Exposure to smart contract deployment or security best practices.

• Prior work in startup or high‑autonomy environments.