Lead Blockchain Developer (Remote)

Placements24; Mbombela (Nelspruit); Hybrid; ZAR 2,461,000 - 3,774,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) with employer match

Equity options

Flexible working hours

Professional development budget

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Lead Blockchain Developer to steer the technical direction of our blockchain efforts and mentor a team of engineers in a remote-first setup. You will architect, build, and deploy secure dApps and smart contracts across major platforms, while guiding architecture decisions and maintaining high code quality.

You will collaborate closely with product management and design, driving innovation and implementing best practices across the stack.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field, or equivalent extensive experience.
• 8+ years of professional software development, with at least 4 years in blockchain.
• Proven experience leading and mentoring engineering teams.
• Deep expertise in smart contract development (Solidity, Rust) and deployment on Ethereum/Polygon.

Responsibilities

• Lead design, development, and deployment of dApps and smart contracts.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to blockchain engineers.
• Define coding standards, best practices, and architecture patterns for blockchain development.
• Collaborate with product, design, and other engineering teams to deliver high-quality products.
• Architect robust, scalable, and secure blockchain solutions with performance and cost considerations.
• Oversee integration of smart contracts with frontend and backend systems.
• Conduct thorough code reviews and ensure code quality and security.
• Evaluate and adopt new blockchain technologies and tools to drive innovation.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex issues across the stack.
• Contribute to technical roadmapping and strategic planning.

Skills

Leadership

Mentoring

Architectural design

Problem solving

Communication

Education

Master's degree (CS/Engineering)

Tools

Solidity

Rust

Node.js

Go

Python

AWS

CI/CD

Job description

About the Role

Our client is a pioneering startup in the decentralized applications (dApps) space, focused on building innovative solutions for the future of the internet. We are seeking a highly experienced and visionary Lead Blockchain Developer to join our fully remote team. In this leadership role, you will guide the technical direction of our blockchain development efforts, mentor a team of talented engineers, and architect robust, scalable, and secure dApps. You will be instrumental in translating product vision into reality, making critical architectural decisions, and ensuring the highest standards of code quality and performance. If you have a passion for blockchain, a proven track record of leading development teams, and excel in a remote-first environment, this is an exceptional opportunity. Our client fosters a culture of innovation, collaboration, and autonomy. This is a remote-only position, open to candidates anywhere.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and deployment of decentralized applications (dApps) and smart contracts.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to a team of blockchain engineers.
• Define and enforce coding standards, best practices, and architectural patterns for blockchain development.
• Collaborate closely with product management, design, and other engineering teams to deliver high-quality products.
• Architect robust, scalable, and secure blockchain solutions, considering performance and cost-effectiveness.
• Oversee the integration of smart contracts with frontend and backend systems.
• Conduct thorough code reviews, identify potential risks and ensure code quality.
• Evaluate and adopt new blockchain technologies and tools to drive innovation.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex technical issues across the blockchain stack.
• Contribute to technical roadmapping and strategic planning.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent extensive experience.
• 8+ years of professional software development experience, with a significant focus on blockchain technology (at least 4 years).
• Proven experience in leading and mentoring engineering teams.
• Deep expertise in smart contract development (Solidity, Rust, or similar) and deployment on major blockchain platforms (e.g., Ethereum, Polygon).
• Strong understanding of blockchain architecture, consensus mechanisms, and cryptographic principles.
• Experience with backend development (Node.js, Go, Python) and API design.
• Familiarity with frontend technologies and dApp integration is a plus.
• Experience with cloud infrastructure (AWS, GCP) and CI/CD pipelines.
• Exceptional problem-solving, architectural design, and strategic thinking skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, adept at leading and collaborating within a remote team.
• Experience with decentralized storage solutions (e.g., IPFS) is beneficial.

Benefits

This fully remote role offers a highly competitive salary, significant equity options, and a comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, and vision insurance, and a 401k plan with employer match. Our client provides a generous budget for professional development, enabling continuous learning and growth. You will have the autonomy to shape cutting-edge dApp solutions and contribute to a rapidly growing industry. Enjoy the flexibility of working from anywhere, with flexible working hours and regular virtual team-building activities. Our client is committed to fostering a supportive, inclusive, and innovative remote work culture, offering ample opportunities for career advancement and impact.