DeFi Protocol Developer

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

Job summary

Placements24 is partnering with a pioneer in DeFi to hire a skilled DeFi Protocol Developer for a remote-first role. You will design, develop, audit, and deploy secure smart contracts powering decentralized financial applications.

You should have 3+ years of Solidity experience, familiarity with Hardhat/Truffle/Foundry, and a strong grasp of DeFi primitives and tokenomics. This role offers global collaboration and flexible remote work.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of smart contract development with DeFi protocols.
• Proficiency in Solidity and frameworks (Hardhat/Truffle/Foundry).
• Strong knowledge of DeFi primitives and tokenomics.
• Familiar with Ethereum, Polygon, and BSC ecosystems.
• Security-focused with auditing tool experience.
• Excellent problem-solving and debugging skills.
• Able to work independently in a remote team.
• Strong communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, audit, and deploy smart contracts for DeFi protocols (e.g., lending, borrowing, exchanges, yield farming).
• Write efficient, secure, and gas-optimized Solidity code.
• Collaborate with product managers and researchers to define protocol specifications and features.
• Conduct thorough security reviews and vulnerability assessments of deployed protocols.
• Integrate protocols with various blockchain networks and decentralized oracles.
• Develop and maintain unit and integration tests for smart contracts.
• Stay updated on the latest DeFi trends, innovations, and security best practices.
• Participate in community discussions and contribute to the technical roadmap.
• Troubleshoot and resolve issues related to protocol performance and security.

Skills

Solidity

DeFi concepts

Cryptography

Remote collaboration

Communication

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in CS/Engineering

Tools

Hardhat

Truffle

Foundry

Security testing tools

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a pioneer in the Decentralized Finance (DeFi) space, is seeking a highly skilled and innovative DeFi Protocol Developer to join their remote-first team. This role is central to building and enhancing the core protocols that power decentralized financial applications. You will be responsible for designing, developing, and deploying robust and secure smart contracts, contributing to the evolution of financial services on the blockchain. The ideal candidate possesses a deep understanding of DeFi concepts, smart contract programming (especially Solidity), and a passion for building scalable, secure, and efficient financial protocols. If you are driven by innovation and eager to make a significant impact in the rapidly growing DeFi ecosystem, this is the perfect opportunity for you, regardless of your physical location.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, audit, and deploy smart contracts for DeFi protocols (e.g., lending, borrowing, exchanges, yield farming).
• Write efficient, secure, and gas-optimized Solidity code.
• Collaborate with product managers and researchers to define protocol specifications and features.
• Conduct thorough security reviews and vulnerability assessments of deployed protocols.
• Integrate protocols with various blockchain networks and decentralized oracles.
• Develop and maintain unit and integration tests for smart contracts.
• Stay updated on the latest DeFi trends, innovations, and security best practices.
• Participate in community discussions and contribute to the technical roadmap.
• Troubleshoot and resolve issues related to protocol performance and security.

Requirements

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related quantitative field.
• Proven experience (3+ years) in smart contract development, with a strong emphasis on DeFi protocols.
• Expertise in Solidity and experience with frameworks like Hardhat, Truffle, or Foundry.
• Deep understanding of DeFi primitives, tokenomics, and common protocol architectures.
• Familiarity with various blockchain ecosystems (e.g., Ethereum, Polygon, BSC).
• Knowledge of security best practices for smart contracts and experience with security auditing tools.
• Strong understanding of cryptography and distributed systems.
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and debugging skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a remote team environment.
• Clear and effective communication skills.

Benefits

• This fully remote position offers unparalleled flexibility and the chance to work with a globally distributed, talented team.
• Our client provides a highly competitive salary, generous equity options, and performance-based bonuses.
• Comprehensive health and wellness benefits are provided, along with support for professional development, including conferences and training.
• You'll be at the forefront of DeFi innovation, working on projects that have the potential to revolutionize financial services.
• Our client fosters a culture of transparency, collaboration, and continuous learning, ensuring you are always empowered to do your best work.
• Join us from anywhere and help build the future of finance.