Lead Blockchain Engineer - Protocol Development

Placements24; Polokwane; Híbrido; ZAR 1.800.000 - 2.400.000; Jornada completa

Ventajas ofrecidas por este puesto de trabajo

Equity options

Health benefits

Performance-based bonuses

Hybrid work model

Learning & growth

Descripción de la vacante

Placements24 in Polokwane invites applications for a Lead Blockchain Engineer to spearhead the design and implementation of a Layer-1 blockchain protocol. This senior role requires deep expertise in distributed systems, cryptography, and network engineering, and you will guide a team to build a scalable, secure foundation.

You will mentor engineers, shape the technical roadmap, oversee consensus, networking, and VM environments, and collaborate with researchers on cutting-edge cryptography.

Formación

• 10+ years of software engineering experience with distributed systems and blockchain protocol development.
• Deep expertise in designing and implementing consensus algorithms (PoW, PoS, BFT variants).
• Experience with low-level programming languages such as Rust, C++, Go.

Responsabilidades

• Lead design, development, and implementation of a new Layer-1 blockchain protocol.
• Architect core blockchain components including consensus, networking, and state management.
• Oversee development of smart contract Virtual Machines and execution environments.
• Mentor and guide a team of blockchain engineers, fostering innovation and excellence.
• Collaborate with research teams to integrate advanced cryptographic techniques.
• Ensure security, scalability, and performance of the blockchain protocol.
• Define coding standards, testing procedures, and deployment strategies.
• Contribute to the technical roadmap and long-term vision of the project.
• Engage with the wider blockchain community and open-source initiatives.

Conocimientos

Distributed systems

Blockchain protocol development

Leadership

Cryptography

Networking

Rust

Go

C++

Educación

Master's or PhD in CS or Cryptography

Herramientas

Rust

C++

Go

Descripción del empleo

About the Role

Our client is a groundbreaking startup developing a novel Layer-1 blockchain protocol designed for high throughput and low transaction fees. They are seeking an experienced and visionary Lead Blockchain Engineer to spearhead the development of their core protocol. This senior leadership role requires extensive experience in distributed systems, cryptography, and network engineering, coupled with a deep understanding of blockchain architecture from the ground up. You will lead a talented team of engineers, drive technical decisions, and shape the future of this innovative blockchain ecosystem. This is a unique opportunity to work on foundational technology in the crypto and blockchain space, located in the thriving city of Polokwane , Limpopo.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and implementation of a new Layer-1 blockchain protocol.
• Architect and implement core blockchain components, including consensus mechanisms, networking, and state management.
• Oversee the development of smart contract Virtual Machines and execution environments.
• Mentor and guide a team of talented blockchain engineers, fostering a culture of innovation and technical excellence.
• Collaborate with research teams to integrate cutting- edge cryptographic techniques and distributed systems concepts.
• Ensure the security, scalability, and performance of the blockchain protocol.
• Define and enforce coding standards, testing procedures, and deployment strategies.
• Contribute to the technical roadmap and long-term vision of the blockchain project.
• Engage with the wider blockchain community and contribute to open-source initiatives where applicable.

Requirements

• Master's or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Cryptography, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• 10+ years of experience in software engineering, with at least 5 years focused on distributed systems and blockchain protocol development.
• Deep expertise in designing and implementing consensus algorithms (e.g., PoW, PoS, BFT variants).
• Strong understanding of network protocols, cryptography, and data structures relevant to blockchain.
• Experience with low-level programming languages (e.g., Rust, C++, Go).
• Proven ability to lead and manage technical teams.
• Experience with performance optimization and scalability challenges in large-scale distributed systems.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and leadership skills.
• A passion for decentralized technologies and a strong understanding of the blockchain landscape.

Benefits

• Our client offers an industry-leading compensation package, including significant equity options, comprehensive health benefits, and performance-based bonuses.
• You will be part of a highly innovative and collaborative team working on cutting- edge technology.
• The hybrid work model provides flexibility while maintaining team cohesion.
• Opportunities for professional growth and learning are abundant.
• Join us in building the future of decentralized infrastructure from our offices in Polokwane .