Senior Protocol Engineer

Global Settlement Network; Miami (FL); On-site; USD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

Global Settlement seeks a Senior Protocol Engineer to design and operate the core chain architecture for institutional settlement infrastructure. You will work hands-on with consensus, node operations, and cross-chain design in a distributed system environment using Rust or Go.

Role emphasizes building the settlement protocol, with some smart contract work. Experience with Ethereum, Cosmos, or Hyperledger is valued, and production-grade infrastructure is expected. US work authorization required.

Qualifications

• 5+ years software engineering experience, including 3+ years in blockchain or protocol infrastructure.
• Hands-on experience with consensus algorithms and distributed systems design.
• Strong Rust or Go; proficiency in Java, Solidity, or Python is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and operate blockchain node infrastructure and settlement protocol architecture
• Implement and tune consensus mechanisms (BFT, PoS, PoA) for enterprise throughput and deterministic finality
• Architect cross-chain communication and bridging for multi-network settlement
• Drive security, scalability, and reliability across all chain-level systems
• Lead research on L1/L2 architectures, emerging protocols, and settlement patterns
• Write the RFCs and architecture decision records engineering builds against
• Mentor engineers and set infrastructure standards through code review

Skills

Consensus algorithms

Distributed systems design

Node operations

Rust

Go

Tools

Rust

Go

Docker

Kubernetes

Ethereum

Cosmos

Hyperledger

Canton

Job description

Senior Protocol Engineer

Global Settlement - Miami, FL

Senior Protocol Engineer to build the core chain architecture behind institutional settlement infrastructure. Hands-on consensus, node infrastructure, distributed systems, and cross-chain design. Rust or Go. 5+ years engineering, 3+ in blockchain protocol work.

About Global Settlement

Global Settlement is building institutional-grade blockchain settlement infrastructure connecting traditional banking to digital markets across stablecoins, commodities, FX, and real-world assets (RWAs). The global reach of SWIFT, rebuilt for real-time, regulated digital asset settlement.

Small team, early stage, and you d be building the chain itself.

The Role

This is protocol engineering, not application development. You ll own node infrastructure, consensus mechanisms, cross-chain systems, and settlement protocol design.

Smart contract work is part of the job. It isn t the center of it. If your experience is primarily Solidity, this isn t the right fit.

What You ll Own

• Design, build, and operate blockchain node infrastructure and settlement protocol architecture
• Implement and tune consensus mechanisms (BFT, PoS, PoA) for enterprise throughput and deterministic finality
• Architect cross-chain communication and bridging for multi-network settlement
• Drive security, scalability, and reliability across all chain-level systems
• Lead research on L1/L2 architectures, emerging protocols, and settlement patterns
• Write the RFCs and architecture decision records engineering builds against
• Mentor engineers and set infrastructure standards through code review

What You Bring

• 5+ years software engineering, 3+ years in blockchain or protocol infrastructure
• Deep hands-on experience with consensus algorithms, node operations, and distributed systems design
• Strong Rust or Go. Java, Solidity, or Python a plus
• Production experience with Ethereum, Cosmos, Hyperledger, Canton, or comparable L1/L2 networks
• Command of cryptographic primitives, key management, and on-chain security
• Cloud infrastructure (AWS, GCP, Azure) and containerization (Docker, Kubernetes)
• Shipped protocol infrastructure to production, not just smart contracts

Nice to Have

• Stablecoin, CBDC, or RWA tokenization systems
• Cross-chain and interoperability protocols
• Financial services, payments, or regulated settlement background
• Digital asset compliance and regulatory requirements

Why This Role

Architect settlement infrastructure for sovereign and enterprise clients. Ground floor, real ownership, decisions that outlast you. Blockchain infrastructure, traditional finance, and regulation actually meeting.

Must be legally authorized to work in the United States. We are not able to sponsor or transfer work visas at this time.