Blockchain Protocol Engineer - Core Development

Placements24; East London; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity options

Health benefits

Retirement planning

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Blockchain Protocol Engineer in East London, Eastern Cape. You will design and optimize core blockchain components, implement consensus mechanisms, and contribute to secure and scalable distributed systems.

The role requires deep systems programming experience and proficiency in Go, Rust, or C++. Join a pioneering team focused on decentralised technology, with a flexible hybrid work model in East London.

Qualifications

• Proven record in blockchain protocol design or core systems engineering.
• Experience with Go, Rust or C++ in performance-critical systems.
• Strong understanding of cryptography and distributed networks.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and optimize core blockchain protocol components.
• Develop consensus mechanisms and network layers for scalability.
• Build and improve smart contract environments and VMs.
• Collaborate with engineers and reviewers to ensure security and robustness.
• Research new cryptographic techniques and protocol enhancements.
• Write high-quality, well-tested code in Go, Rust, or C++.
• Document technical work and share knowledge with the team.

Skills

Blockchain protocol design

Go

Rust

C++

Distributed systems

Cryptography

Problem solving

Teamwork

Communication

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in CS/Engineering

Tools

Git

Linux

Docker

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a pioneering entity in the decentralized technology space, is actively seeking a highly skilled Blockchain Protocol Engineer to contribute to the core development of their innovative blockchain platform. This role is based in East London, Eastern Cape and involves working on the fundamental layers of blockchain technology. You will be instrumental in designing, implementing, and optimizing consensus mechanisms, network protocols, and core functionalities that ensure the security, scalability, and efficiency of our distributed ledger. This is a unique opportunity for a deeply technical individual to make a significant impact on the architecture of a next-generation blockchain.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and maintain core components of the blockchain protocol, including consensus algorithms and network layers.
• Implement and optimize smart contract execution environments and virtual machines.
• Contribute to the security and robustness of the blockchain network through rigorous code development and review.
• Research and evaluate new cryptographic techniques and distributed systems concepts for protocol enhancements.
• Collaborate with other engineers to define and implement new features and improvements.
• Write high-quality, well-tested code in languages such as Go, Rust, or C++.
• Diagnose and resolve complex technical issues related to the blockchain protocol and network performance.
• Contribute to technical documentation and knowledge sharing within the engineering team.
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in blockchain research and development.

Requirements

• Proven experience as a Software Engineer or Protocol Developer, with a strong background in systems programming.
• Deep understanding of blockchain architecture, consensus mechanisms (e.g., PoS, PoW), and cryptography.
• Proficiency in low-level programming languages such as Go, Rust, or C++.
• Experience with distributed systems design and implementation.
• Familiarity with network protocols and security principles.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to tackle complex technical challenges.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills.
• Experience with version control systems (Git) and agile development methodologies.
• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent significant industry experience.

Benefits

• Our client offers a highly competitive salary, performance bonuses, and equity options.
• Employees enjoy comprehensive health benefits, retirement planning support, and generous paid time off.
• This role offers a flexible hybrid working model in our East London, Eastern Cape office, balancing in-office collaboration with remote flexibility.
• Join a team of world-class engineers dedicated to pushing the boundaries of decentralized technology.