Lead Blockchain Developer

Placements24; Sandton; Hybrid; ZAR 1,000,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Lucrative bonus structure

Health & retirement benefits

Generous PTO

Flexible work arrangements

Professional development

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Lead Blockchain Developer based in Sandton, Gauteng, to drive the architecture and delivery of advanced DeFi and blockchain solutions. You will mentor a talented team, guide smart contract development, and ensure secure, scalable deployments across Ethereum-like platforms.

The ideal candidate has 7+ years in software with 4+ in blockchain, deep Solidity/Vyper/Rust expertise, and strong leadership.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field.
• 7+ years of software development with 4+ years in blockchain.
• Proven leadership of development teams delivering blockchain projects.
• Deep expertise in Solidity, Vyper, or Rust.
• Strong knowledge of blockchain architectures, consensus, cryptography.
• Experience with Ethereum, Binance Smart Chain, Polygon.
• Proficiency with Hardhat and Truffle.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Experience with remote team collaboration is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead design, development, and deployment of scalable blockchain apps and smart contracts.
• Mentor a team of blockchain developers and foster technical excellence.
• Oversee code quality and security best practices in smart contracts.
• Collaborate with product managers to define requirements and roadmaps.
• Architect robust blockchain solutions considering performance and security.
• Conduct code reviews and provide actionable feedback.
• Stay updated with blockchain tech and protocols.
• Troubleshoot complex issues during development and deployment.
• Evaluate and adopt new blockchain technologies and tools.
• Ensure seamless integration with existing systems and third-party services.

Skills

Blockchain development

Team leadership

Smart contract development

Solidity

Vyper

Rust

Web3 libraries

Cryptography

Communication

Problem-solving

Education

CS/Engineering degree

Tools

Hardhat

Truffle

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a dynamic and fast-growing fintech company revolutionizing decentralized finance, is looking for a highly experienced Lead Blockchain Developer. This exciting position, based in **Sandton, Gauteng**, will see you leading a talented team in the development and deployment of cutting-edge blockchain solutions. You will be responsible for guiding the technical direction, mentoring junior developers, and ensuring the successful implementation of complex smart contracts and decentralized applications. If you possess a deep understanding of blockchain technologies and a passion for innovation, this is an unparalleled opportunity to shape the future of finance within a collaborative and forward-thinking organization. Your leadership will be key to our continued success in the crypto and blockchain space.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and implementation of scalable and secure blockchain applications and smart contracts.
• Mentor and guide a team of blockchain developers, fostering a culture of technical excellence.
• Oversee code quality, ensuring adherence to best practices in smart contract development and security.
• Collaborate with product managers and stakeholders to define project requirements and technical roadmaps.
• Architect robust and efficient blockchain solutions, considering performance, scalability, and security.
• Conduct thorough code reviews and provide constructive feedback to the development team.
• Stay updated with the latest advancements in blockchain technology, programming languages, and protocols.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex technical issues that may arise during development and deployment.
• Contribute to the selection and evaluation of new blockchain technologies and tools.
• Ensure seamless integration of blockchain solutions with existing systems and third-party services.

Requirements

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field.
• Extensive experience (7+ years) in software development, with a strong focus (4+ years) on blockchain development.
• Proven track record of leading development teams and delivering complex blockchain projects.
• Deep expertise in smart contract development languages like Solidity, Vyper, or Rust.
• Strong understanding of blockchain architectures, consensus mechanisms, and cryptography.
• Experience with various blockchain platforms (e.g., Ethereum, Binance Smart Chain, Polygon).
• Proficiency with Web3 libraries and blockchain development tools (e.g., Hardhat, Truffle).
• Excellent leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, agile environment.
• Experience with **remote** team collaboration and management is a plus.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and lucrative bonus structure.
• Opportunity to lead and innovate in the rapidly evolving blockchain and DeFi space.
• Significant impact on product strategy and technical direction.
• Comprehensive health, wellness, and retirement benefits.
• Generous paid time off and flexible working arrangements.
• Professional development support and opportunities for continued learning.
• A vibrant and inclusive company culture in **Sandton, Gauteng**.
• Be a key player in shaping the future of decentralized finance.