Senior Backend Engineer (Generalist)

TechChain Talent; New York (NY); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

TechChain Talent is seeking a Senior Backend Engineer (Generalist) to join Ellipsis Labs in New York. The ideal candidate should have over 7 years of experience in building robust backend systems, with expertise in languages like Rust and C++. Responsibilities include designing and maintaining high-performance systems, leading initiatives from design through launch, and adapting to rapid changes within a startup environment. Join a top player in decentralized finance and make an impact in the blockchain space.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience building and maintaining production-grade software systems.
• Very strong CS fundamentals and system design skills.
• Ability to lead projects and architect systems end-to-end.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain core backend infrastructure and systems.
• Design and implement high-performance, reliable systems.
• Own initiatives from design through launch and ongoing reliability.

Skills

Production-grade software systems

CS fundamentals

System design

Rust

C++

Python

Golang

TypeScript

Job description

Senior Backend Engineer (Generalist) Ellipsis Labs

About Ellipsis Labs

Ellipsis Labs is a profitable, venture‑backed New‑York‑based startup building differentiated products and infrastructure in decentralized finance. The company is the developer of Phoenix, the leading order book spot exchange on the Solana blockchain, and a top 10 DEX (decentralized exchange) with >$70B in volume since inception in 2023. Additionally, we are one of the most active and prominent on‑chain market makers in crypto.

About the Role

Ellipsis Labs seeks a Senior Backend Engineer (Generalist) to join the engineering team. Unlike the Risk Engineering role, this position is focused on general backend infrastructure and systems work across the platform. The team is looking for a strong generalist engineer who brings excellent CS fundamentals and system design skills, without requiring a specific quant or trading background.

We are looking for a senior‑to‑staff‑level engineer (5–10+ years of experience) who can architect systems end‑to‑end, lead complex projects independently, and has a track record of building robust, high‑performance backend systems.

Key Responsibilities

• Build and maintain core backend infrastructure and systems across the Ellipsis Labs platform.
• Design and implement high‑performance, reliable systems in a fast‑paced startup environment.
• Own initiatives from design through launch and ongoing reliability, collaborating closely with engineering and leadership.
• Adapt to fast‑changing requirements and shipping cycles in a startup context.

Requirements

• 7+ years of experience building and maintaining production‑grade software systems (preferably in Rust, C++, C, Golang, Python, TypeScript).
• Very strong CS fundamentals and system design skills (primary evaluation criterion).
• Senior‑to‑staff‑level seniority: ability to lead projects, architect systems end‑to‑end, and operate independently on complex work.
• Job stability with consistent tenure (no frequent job hopping).

Bonus Skills

• Low‑level programming experience (C, C++, Rust) building low‑level systems (strong plus).
• Experience with blockchain technology, specifically Solana.
• Proficiency in Rust or interest in building in Rust.
• Interest in DeFi and trading systems (curiosity valued, not required).
• TradFi or crypto experience is a plus but not required.