Decentralized Finance (DeFi) Protocol Engineer

Placements24; Richards Bay; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Token-based compensation

Health benefits

Remote-friendly with occasional team {

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a DeFi Protocol Engineer in Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal. You will design, develop, audit, and deploy secure DeFi contracts across leading blockchain networks and collaborate with a global engineering team on innovative financial instruments.

The role emphasizes cutting-edge DeFi research, security best practices, and scalable protocol design, with strong autonomy and growth opportunities in a fast-paced startup environment.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience in developing and deploying production-ready smart contracts on blockchain platforms like Ethereum.
• Expertise in smart contract languages such as Solidity.
• Strong understanding of DeFi concepts, protocols, and economic models.
• Experience with blockchain development tools and frameworks (Hardhat, Truffle, Foundry).
• Proficiency in testing methodologies and tools for smart contracts.
• Knowledge of common smart contract vulnerabilities and mitigation strategies.
• Experience with performance optimization and gas cost reduction techniques.
• Excellent problem-solving and teamwork skills.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, test, and deploy secure and efficient smart contracts for DeFi protocols (lending, borrowing, trading, yield farming).
• Conduct rigorous security audits of smart contracts and protocols to identify vulnerabilities.
• Research and implement novel DeFi mechanisms to enhance protocol performance and user experience.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define and build new features.
• Stay updated with blockchain tech and smart contract languages (Solidity, Vyper).
• Optimize gas efficiency and overall protocol performance.
• Contribute to technical documentation and knowledge sharing.

Skills

Solidity

Ethereum

Hardhat

Truffle

Foundry

Smart contract testing

Gas optimization

Security auditing

DeFi concepts

Communication

Teamwork

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering

Tools

Hardhat

Truffle

Foundry

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a visionary startup at the forefront of decentralized finance (DeFi), is seeking a highly skilled and innovative Decentralized Finance (DeFi) Protocol Engineer . This role, based in the vibrant region of Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal , requires deep expertise in smart contract development, protocol design, and a passion for building the future of financial systems. You will be instrumental in developing, auditing, and deploying secure and efficient DeFi protocols on leading blockchain networks. This is an opportunity to work with a talented, globally distributed team on cutting-edge financial instruments. We are building a transparent, accessible, and robust financial ecosystem, and your contributions will be key to our success. Embrace the challenge of working in a rapidly evolving and highly technical field. We offer a dynamic work environment where innovation and technical excellence are paramount. The position offers a significant degree of autonomy, reflecting our trust in your expertise and capabilities.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, test, and deploy secure and efficient smart contracts for various DeFi protocols (e.g., lending, borrowing, trading, yield farming).
• Conduct rigorous security audits of smart contracts and protocols to identify and mitigate vulnerabilities.
• Research and implement novel DeFi mechanisms and strategies to enhance protocol performance and user experience.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including product managers, researchers, and other engineers, to define and build new features.
• Stay updated with the latest advancements in blockchain technology, smart contract languages (e.g., Solidity, Vyper), and DeFi ecosystem developments.
• Optimize smart contract gas efficiency and overall protocol performance.
• Contribute to the technical documentation and knowledge sharing within the engineering team.
• Participate in community discussions and provide technical insights to users and stakeholders.
• Evaluate and integrate with other DeFi protocols and external data sources.

Requirements

• Demonstrated experience in developing and deploying production-ready smart contracts on blockchain platforms like Ethereum .
• Expertise in smart contract languages such as Solidity .
• Strong understanding of DeFi concepts, protocols, and economic models.
• Experience with blockchain development tools and frameworks (e.g., Hardhat, Truffle, Foundry).
• Proficiency in testing methodologies and tools for smart contracts.
• Knowledge of common smart contract vulnerabilities and mitigation strategies.
• Experience with performance optimization and gas cost reduction techniques.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and a proactive approach to identifying and addressing challenges.
• Strong communication and teamwork abilities.
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, or a related quantitative field.
• Passion for decentralized finance and blockchain technology.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and potential for significant token-based compensation.
• Comprehensive health and wellness benefits.
• Remote work flexibility with potential for occasional team meetups.
• Opportunity to work on groundbreaking DeFi innovations.
• Professional growth and development opportunities in a fast-paced environment.
• Collaborative and intellectually stimulating work culture.
• Direct impact on the evolution of decentralized financial systems.