Lead Smart Contract Developer

Placements24; Pretoria; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,400,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary with bonuses and/e

Health, retirement, and generous PTO

Professional development opportunities

Hybrid work model in Pretoria

Blockchain innovation culture

Job summary

Placements24 in Pretoria, Gauteng, is seeking an experienced Lead Smart Contract Developer to oversee design, development and deployment of secure contracts for financial operations. You will mentor a team, set high code standards and drive security-focused architecture in a hybrid work setting.

The role requires deep Solidity/Ethereum expertise, hands-on development, and leadership responsibilities. Hybrid work combines Pretoria office collaboration with remote flexibility.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree or equivalent industry experience in software engineering.
• Min 6 years of professional software development, with ≥4 years in blockchain/smart contracts.
• Proven track record deploying complex contracts on Ethereum-like platforms.
• Expertise in Solidity and common development tools (Truffle, Hardhat).
• Strong understanding of blockchain architecture, consensus, and token standards (ERC-20, ERC-721).
• In-depth knowledge of smart contract security principles and vulnerabilities.
• Experience with testing frameworks and methodologies for smart contracts.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects in a hybrid work environment.
• Experience with other blockchain technologies is a plus; familiarity with Agile.

Responsibilities

• Lead design, development, testing, and deployment of smart contracts on multiple platforms.
• Architect robust, secure smart contract solutions with industry standards.
• Mentor and guide a team of smart contract developers; provide code reviews.
• Collaborate with product owners to define requirements and functionality.
• Ensure performance, scalability, and security of deployed contracts.
• Develop unit and integration tests for smart contracts.
• Research new technologies to improve development and security.
• Contribute to blockchain strategy and technical roadmap.
• Troubleshoot complex smart contract execution issues.
• Maintain knowledge of protocols, standards, and security threats.

Skills

Solidity

Ethereum

Smart contract security

Truffle

Hardhat

Blockchain architecture

ERC-20

ERC-721

Leadership

Testing frameworks

Agile methods

Communication

Education

Master's degree in Computer Science

Equivalent industry experience

Tools

Remix

Solidity IDE

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a prominent player in the digital asset management sector, is seeking an experienced Lead Smart Contract Developer to join their innovative team in **Pretoria, Gauteng**. This role offers the opportunity to lead the design, development, and deployment of secure and efficient smart contracts that underpin critical financial operations. You will be responsible for guiding a team of developers, setting high standards for code quality, and ensuring the robust performance of our client's blockchain-based financial products. This position involves a hybrid work model, balancing collaboration in the **Pretoria** office with the flexibility of remote work. If you are passionate about building secure, scalable smart contracts and leading technical initiatives, this is the perfect opportunity.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, testing, and deployment of smart contracts on various blockchain platforms.
• Architect robust and secure smart contract solutions, adhering to industry best practices and security standards.
• Mentor and guide a team of smart contract developers, providing technical leadership and code review.
• Collaborate with product owners and stakeholders to define smart contract requirements and functionalities.
• Ensure the performance, scalability, and security of deployed smart contracts.
• Develop comprehensive unit and integration tests for smart contracts.
• Research and implement new technologies and techniques to improve smart contract development and security.
• Contribute to the overall blockchain strategy and technical roadmap of the company.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex issues related to smart contract execution and integration.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of blockchain protocols, emerging standards, and security threats.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent industry experience.
• Minimum of 6 years of professional software development experience, with at least 4 years specifically focused on blockchain and smart contract development.
• Proven track record of successfully developing and deploying complex smart contracts on platforms like Ethereum.
• Expertise in Solidity programming language and associated development tools (e.g., Truffle, Hardhat).
• Strong understanding of blockchain architecture, consensus mechanisms, and token standards (e.g., ERC-20, ERC-721).
• In-depth knowledge of smart contract security principles and common vulnerabilities.
• Experience with testing frameworks and methodologies for smart contracts.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines effectively in a hybrid work environment.
• Experience with other blockchain technologies (e.g., Layer 2 solutions, other chains) is a plus.
• Familiarity with agile development methodologies.

Benefits

• Our client offers a competitive salary package, including performance bonuses and potential equity.
• Comprehensive health benefits, retirement planning support, and generous paid time off are included.
• Professional development opportunities, such as attending leading blockchain conferences and specialized training programs, are readily available.
• Enjoy the flexibility of a hybrid work model in **Pretoria, Gauteng**, fostering a productive and balanced work-life environment.
• Join a team committed to innovation and excellence in the fast-paced world of blockchain.