Blockchain Protocol Engineer — Core Infrastructure & Research

Placements24; Paarl; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 2,400,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus potential

Paarl office

Professional development leave

Research resources

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Blockchain Protocol Engineer to join our Paarl office and contribute to core blockchain protocol design and optimization. You will work on consensus mechanisms, network security, and scalable distributed systems in a research-driven environment.

Ideal candidates have deep cryptography knowledge and hands-on experience with C++, Rust, or Go, plus a strong mathematical foundation and a passion for secure, efficient protocols. Collaboration with researchers is essential.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in developing and implementing distributed systems or low-level network protocols.
• Deep understanding of cryptography, including public-key cryptography, hashing, and digital signatures.
• In-depth knowledge of various blockchain consensus mechanisms (e.g., PoW, PoS, BFT variants).
• Proficiency in programming languages commonly used in systems development, such as C++, Rust, or Go.
• Strong analytical and mathematical skills, with a solid foundation in algorithms and data structures.
• Experience with network programming and performance optimization.
• Familiarity with smart contract development and execution environments is a plus.
• Ability to conduct in-depth research and translate theoretical concepts into practical implementations.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and meticulous attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and refine core blockchain protocols and consensus algorithms.
• Develop and maintain the network layer, ensuring secure and efficient communication between nodes.
• Optimize protocol performance, scalability, and transaction throughput.
• Implement and enhance cryptographic primitives and security features within the protocol.
• Conduct rigorous testing and analysis of protocol implementations, identifying and addressing potential vulnerabilities.
• Collaborate with researchers and other engineers to explore and integrate new cryptographic techniques and distributed systems concepts.
• Contribute to technical documentation, whitepapers, and research publications.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex issues related to network stability and protocol integrity.
• Stay at the forefront of blockchain research and development, evaluating emerging technologies.
• Ensure adherence to high standards of code quality, security, and reliability.

Skills

Distributed systems

Cryptography

Network protocols

Consensus algorithms

C/C++/Rust/Go

Security testing

Research

Education

Master's or PhD in CS/Cryptography

Tools

C++

Rust

Go

Job description

Placements24 is seeking a Blockchain Protocol Engineer to join our Paarl office and contribute to core blockchain protocol design and optimization. You will work on consensus mechanisms, network security, and scalable distributed systems in a research-driven environment.

Ideal candidates have deep cryptography knowledge and hands-on experience with C++, Rust, or Go, plus a strong mathematical foundation and a passion for secure, efficient protocols. Collaboration with researchers is essential.