Lead Blockchain Architect

Placements24; Midrand; On-site; ZAR 1,800,000 - 2,400,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Executive bonus

Equity options

Health benefits

Relocation assistance

R&D resources

PD budget

Strategic leadership exposure

Job summary

Placements24 in Midrand, Gauteng, is seeking a visionary Lead Blockchain Architect to spearhead the design and implementation of scalable blockchain infrastructure. You will lead a team of engineers, translate business needs into robust technical solutions, and drive innovation across the organization.

The role requires 10+ years in software architecture with 5+ years in blockchain, expertise in Hyperledger Fabric, Ethereum, and Corda, and strong leadership and regulatory acumen.

Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in Computer Science, Information Technology, or related field, or equivalent demonstrable experience.
• 10+ years in software architecture and development, with at least 5 years in blockchain.
• Proven track record of designing and implementing large-scale blockchain solutions.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain the overall blockchain architecture, including network design and security protocols.
• Lead evaluation and selection of blockchain technologies for enterprise solutions.
• Oversee development and deployment of new blockchain networks and smart contracts.
• Define and enforce best practices for blockchain development, security, and operations.
• Collaborate with product management to align blockchain strategy with business objectives.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to blockchain teams.
• Analyze scalability, performance, and governance challenges and propose solutions.
• Represent the company in technical discussions with partners and industry peers.
• Ensure regulatory compliance and industry standards.

Skills

Blockchain architecture

Leadership

Distributed systems

Smart contract development

Cryptography

Cloud familiarity (AWS/GCP/Azure)

Education

Master's or PhD in CS/IT or related field

Equivalent demonstrable experience

Tools

Hyperledger Fabric

Ethereum

Corda

Solidity

Chaincode

Docker

Kubernetes

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a prominent player in the fintech and digital innovation sector, is seeking a visionary Lead Blockchain Architect to spearhead the design and implementation of our next-generation blockchain infrastructure in Midrand, Gauteng. This is a critical leadership role where you will define the strategic direction for our blockchain initiatives, ensuring scalability, security, and interoperability. You will be responsible for guiding a team of talented engineers and collaborating with stakeholders across the organization to translate business requirements into robust technical solutions. We are looking for a thought leader with extensive experience in architecting complex blockchain ecosystems and a passion for driving innovation in the decentralized space.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain the overall blockchain architecture, including network design, consensus mechanisms, and security protocols.
• Lead the evaluation and selection of appropriate blockchain technologies and platforms for enterprise-level solutions.
• Oversee the development and deployment of new blockchain networks and smart contracts.
• Define and enforce best practices for blockchain development, security, and operations.
• Collaborate with product management to align blockchain strategy with business objectives.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to blockchain development teams.
• Analyze and recommend solutions for challenges related to scalability, performance, and governance.
• Represent the company in technical discussions with partners, vendors, and the broader blockchain community.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and industry standards.

Requirements

• Master's or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field, or equivalent demonstrable experience.
• 10+ years of experience in software architecture and development, with at least 5 years focused on blockchain technologies.
• Proven track record of designing and implementing large-scale blockchain solutions.
• In-depth knowledge of various blockchain protocols (e.g., Hyperledger Fabric, Ethereum, Corda) and their underlying principles.
• Expertise in smart contract development (Solidity, Chaincode) and associated development tools.
• Strong understanding of distributed systems, cryptography, and network security.
• Experience with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) and containerization technologies (Docker, Kubernetes).
• Excellent leadership, communication, and strategic thinking skills.
• Ability to translate complex technical concepts into clear, actionable plans.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and executive bonus structure.
• Significant equity options and long-term incentive plans.
• Comprehensive executive health benefits package.
• Relocation assistance if applicable.
• Access to cutting-edge research and development resources.
• Opportunity to shape the future of blockchain in a leading organization based in Midrand, Gauteng.
• Annual professional development budget for conferences and certifications.
• Executive-level strategic involvement in company direction.