Blockchain Protocol Developer

Placements24; Polokwane; Hybrid; ZAR 2,461,000 - 4,266,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fully remote position

Competitive salary

Token allocations

Equity potential

Professional development budget

Job summary

Placements24 is partnering with a cutting-edge blockchain research company seeking a Blockchain Protocol Developer. You will design and optimize core blockchain infrastructure, work on consensus, cryptography, and scalable Layer 1/2 solutions in a fully remote environment.

You will collaborate with world-class researchers, translate theory into production-grade code (Rust/Go/C++), and contribute to security, performance, and protocol direction while staying current with academic and industry

Qualifications

• PhD or Master's degree in Computer Science, Cryptography, Distributed Systems, or closely related field.
• 5+ years of experience in systems programming with a focus on blockchain protocol development or distributed systems research.
• Strong theoretical and practical understanding of consensus algorithms (PoW, PoS, BFT variants).
• Expertise in cryptography, including public-key cryptography, hashing, and digital signatures.
• Proficiency in Rust, Go, or C++ and experience with P2P networking protocols.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and implement core blockchain protocols, including consensus algorithms and P2P networking.
• Contribute to research and development of Layer 1 and Layer 2 scaling solutions.
• Write high-performance, secure, and efficient code in Rust, Go, or C++.
• Collaborate with cryptographers and engineers to advance protocol design.
• Document complex technical designs and research findings clearly and comprehensively.

Education

PhD or Master's in Computer Science / Cryptography / Distributed Systems

Tools

Rust

Go

C++

Job description

About the Role

Our client is at the cutting edge of blockchain innovation, developing novel Layer 1 and Layer 2 protocols, and is seeking a highly skilled Blockchain Protocol Developer to join their fully remote, world-class engineering team. This role is fundamental to the design, implementation, and optimization of the core blockchain infrastructure that powers our ambitious projects. You will be deeply involved in research and development, working on consensus mechanisms, network protocols, cryptography, and the fundamental primitives of decentralized systems. The ideal candidate possesses a PhD-level understanding of distributed systems, cryptography, and computer science fundamentals, with a proven ability to translate theoretical concepts into robust, production-ready code. We are looking for individuals who are passionate about decentralization, privacy, and performance, and who thrive in a challenging, research-intensive, and collaborative remote environment. This is an exceptional opportunity to make a profound impact on the future of blockchain technology, contributing to projects that redefine digital trust and ownership. Our client is committed to fostering an environment where groundbreaking research meets practical application, offering unparalleled opportunities for growth and innovation. You will work alongside some of the brightest minds in the blockchain space, pushing the boundaries of what's possible.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and implement core blockchain protocols, including consensus algorithms, P2P networking, and cryptographic primitives.
• Contribute to the research and development of new Layer 1 and Layer 2 scaling solutions.
• Write high-performance, secure, and efficient code in languages such as Rust, Go, or C++.
• Analyze and optimize network performance, transaction throughput, and latency.
• Develop and maintain robust testing frameworks for protocol components.
• Collaborate with cryptographers, researchers, and other engineers to advance protocol design.
• Contribute to the security analysis and hardening of the blockchain protocol.
• Document complex technical designs and research findings clearly and comprehensively.
• Participate in technical discussions and contribute to the overall technical direction of the project.
• Stay current with academic research and industry developments in blockchain and distributed systems.

Requirements

• PhD or Master's degree in Computer Science, Cryptography, Distributed Systems, or a closely related field.
• 5+ years of experience in systems programming, with a significant focus on blockchain protocol development or deep distributed systems research.
• Strong theoretical and practical understanding of consensus algorithms (e.g., PoW, PoS, BFT variants).
• Expertise in cryptography, including public-key cryptography, hashing, and digital signatures.
• Proficiency in systems programming languages like Rust, Go, or C++.
• Experience with P2P networking protocols and concepts.
• Strong understanding of data structures, algorithms, and complexity theory.
• Proven ability to conduct rigorous technical research and develop novel solutions.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently and effectively in a fully remote team environment.

Benefits

• Fully remote position with global flexibility.
• Highly competitive salary, significant token allocations, and potential equity.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Generous budget for research, conferences, and professional development.
• Opportunity to work on foundational blockchain technology with a world-class team.
• A culture that values deep technical expertise and innovation.
• Impactful work that shapes the future of decentralized technology.
• Regular virtual team collaborations and knowledge sharing sessions.