Lead Layer-1 Blockchain Architect | Hybrid + Equity

Placements24; Polokwane; Hybrid; ZAR 1,800,000 - 2,400,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity options

Health benefits

Performance-based bonuses

Hybrid work model

Learning & growth

Job summary

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.

Qualifications

• 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.

Responsibilities

• 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.

Skills

Distributed systems

Blockchain protocol development

Leadership

Cryptography

Networking

Rust

Go

C++

Education

Master's or PhD in CS or Cryptography

Tools

Rust

C++

Go

Job description

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.