Blockchain Protocol Engineer

Placements24; Polokwane; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Flexible hours

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Paid time off

Parental leave

Retirement savings plan

Professional development budget

Conference access

Open research publishing opportunities

Remote work

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Blockchain Protocol Engineer to design, optimize and extend core blockchain protocols from a remote setting. You will tackle consensus, cryptography, and distributed systems challenges while contributing to scalable, secure infrastructure.

The role emphasizes deep theoretical knowledge and practical coding in Rust, Go, or C++, with collaboration across a global researchers and engineers.

Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in Computer Science, Cryptography, or related field.
• 5+ years in blockchain protocol development or systems programming.
• Deep understanding of distributed systems, consensus mechanisms and cryptographic primitives.
• Proficiency in Rust, Go, or C++ and strong network programming knowledge.
• Experience with open-source projects and formal verification methods.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and implement new features for core blockchain protocols.
• Optimize protocol parameters for performance, scalability, and security.
• Research consensus, cryptography, and distributed systems extensively.
• Write high-quality, well-tested code in Rust, Go, or C++.
• Collaborate to define protocol specifications and perform code reviews.
• Troubleshoot complex issues within the blockchain network.
• Contribute to network monitoring and analysis tool development.
• Stay updated with latest blockchain research and open-source work.
• Document protocol designs and upgrade procedures.
• Engage with the developer community and contribute to discussions.
• Possibly contribute to client software and SDK development.

Skills

Blockchain prot.

Distributed systems

Rust/Go/C++

P2P networks

Formal verification

Open-source contributions

Education

Master's or PhD in CS/Cryptography

Tools

Rust

Go

C++

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a trailblazer in the Crypto & Blockchain space, is seeking a highly skilled Blockchain Protocol Engineer to join their distributed team. This is a fully remote position, ideal for individuals passionate about the foundational elements of blockchain technology. You will be instrumental in designing, developing, and optimizing core blockchain protocols, contributing to the scalability, security, and efficiency of decentralized networks. This role offers the unique opportunity to work on cutting-edge research and development, pushing the boundaries of what's possible with distributed ledger technology. We are looking for a candidate with a deep theoretical understanding and practical experience in building and maintaining blockchain infrastructure. If you are driven by innovation and thrive in a remote collaborative environment, this is an exceptional chance to make a significant impact from anywhere. We value deep technical expertise and a commitment to open-source principles.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and implement new features and improvements for core blockchain protocols.
• Optimize existing protocol parameters for enhanced performance, scalability, and security.
• Conduct in-depth research into consensus algorithms, cryptography, and distributed systems.
• Write high-quality, well-tested code in languages such as Rust, Go, or C++.
• Collaborate with other engineers and researchers to define protocol specifications.
• Participate in rigorous code reviews and peer testing processes.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex technical issues within the blockchain network.
• Contribute to the development of network monitoring and analysis tools.
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements and academic research in blockchain technology.
• Document protocol designs, implementation details, and upgrade procedures.
• Engage with the developer community and contribute to relevant discussions.
• Potentially contribute to the development of client software and SDKs.

Requirements

• Master's or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Cryptography, or a related quantitative field.
• Significant experience (5+ years) in blockchain protocol development or systems programming.
• Deep understanding of distributed systems, consensus mechanisms (e.g., PoW, PoS, PBFT), and cryptographic primitives.
• Proficiency in systems programming languages like Rust, Go, or C++.
• Experience with network programming and P2P architectures.
• Strong theoretical and practical knowledge of blockchain architecture.
• Familiarity with formal verification methods and security analysis of protocols.
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and algorithmic skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, comfortable working in a remote, asynchronous environment.
• Experience with open-source development and contributions to major blockchain projects is highly valued.
• Familiarity with the Polokwane, Limpopo region's tech innovation landscape is a plus.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and generous stock options.
• Fully remote work arrangement with flexible hours.
• Opportunity to work on foundational blockchain technologies.
• Significant impact on the future of decentralized systems.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Generous paid time off and parental leave.
• Retirement savings plan with company match.
• Professional development budget for conferences and research.
• Access to a global network of leading blockchain researchers and engineers.
• Opportunity to publish research and present at conferences.