Lead Smart Contract Engineer (Remote)

Placements24; East London; Híbrido; ZAR 1.200.000 - 2.400.000; Jornada completa

Ventajas ofrecidas por este puesto de trabajo

Remote work

Competitive salary

Equity options

Health insurance

Home office budget

Professional development

Flexible hours

Paid time off

Descripción de la vacante

Placements24 is seeking a Lead Smart Contract Engineer to join a fully remote team, driving the design, development, and security of smart contracts across EVM chains. You will mentor engineers, define technical direction, and ensure code quality and safety in a distributed environment.

The role requires 7+ years in software development with 4+ years in smart contracts, expert Solidity, and deep EVM knowledge. Remote-first with competitive compensation and equity options.

Formación

• 7+ years of professional software development experience, with 4+ years on smart contracts.
• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field.
• Expert Solidity; experience with Vyper or Yul is a plus.
• Deep understanding of Ethereum Virtual Machine and common vulnerabilities.
• Experience with smart contract security auditing and best practices.
• Familiarity with DeFi protocols and token standards (ERC-20, ERC-721).
• Strong leadership and mentoring abilities for remote teams.

Responsabilidades

• Lead the design, development, testing, and deployment of complex smart contracts on EVM-compatible blockchains.
• Establish best practices for development, reviews, and security audits.
• Mentor and guide a team of smart contract engineers.
• Architect upgradeable smart contract systems and migration strategies.
• Collaborate with product teams to translate business requirements into secure logic.
• Identify and mitigate potential security vulnerabilities to protect user funds.
• Stay ahead of industry trends and new tools in blockchain security.
• Contribute to internal tooling and deployment infrastructure for smart contracts.
• Engage with stakeholders and provide clear technical recommendations.
• Ensure compliance with relevant standards and regulatory requirements where applicable.

Conocimientos

Solidity

Smart contracts

Blockchain engineering

Leadership

Security auditing

Hardhat

Truffle

Foundry

DeFi protocols

DAO governance

Educación

Bachelor's or Master's in CS/SE

Herramientas

Hardhat

Truffle

Foundry

Descripción del empleo

About the Role

Our client, a dynamic and rapidly growing player in the decentralized finance (DeFi) ecosystem, is looking for a Lead Smart Contract Engineer to join their fully remote team. This is a unique opportunity to spearhead the development and security of smart contracts that power innovative financial products. As a remote-first company, we value autonomy, collaboration, and a commitment to excellence. You will be responsible for defining the technical direction for smart contract development, mentoring junior engineers, and ensuring the highest standards of code quality and security. This role is ideal for an experienced engineer who is passionate about blockchain technology and possesses a deep understanding of smart contract design patterns and vulnerabilities. We are building the future of finance, and your expertise will be crucial to our success. The successful candidate will contribute to projects impacting the global blockchain community, working from their own location, though the initial search was prompted by needs related to East London, Eastern Cape, ZA.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, testing, and deployment of complex smart contracts on EVM-compatible blockchains.
• Establish and enforce best practices for smart contract development, code reviews, and security audits.
• Mentor and guide a team of smart contract engineers, fostering a culture of technical excellence and collaboration.
• Architect and implement upgradeable smart contract systems and migration strategies.
• Collaborate with product teams to translate business requirements into secure and efficient smart contract logic.
• Identify and mitigate potential security vulnerabilities in smart contracts, ensuring the safety of user funds and data.
• Stay ahead of industry trends, new tools, and emerging security threats in the blockchain space.
• Contribute to the development of internal tooling and infrastructure for smart contract development and deployment.
• Engage in technical discussions with stakeholders, providing clear explanations and recommendations.
• Ensure smart contracts comply with relevant industry standards and regulatory requirements where applicable.

Requirements

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a closely related field.
• 7+ years of professional software development experience, with a strong focus on blockchain and smart contract development (minimum 4 years specifically on smart contracts).
• Expert-level proficiency in Solidity and experience with other smart contract languages (e.g., Vyper, Yul).
• Deep understanding of Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) mechanics and common vulnerabilities.
• Proven experience with smart contract security auditing and best practices (e.g., checks-effects-interactions, reentrancy guards).
• Experience with smart contract development environments like Hardhat, Truffle, and Foundry.
• Familiarity with DeFi protocols, token standards (ERC-20, ERC-721, etc.), and DAO governance.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities in a remote setting.
• Experience with formal verification tools is a strong plus.

Benefits

• This fully remote position offers the ultimate flexibility, allowing you to work from anywhere.
• Our client provides an industry-leading salary, a significant annual bonus, and competitive equity options.
• Comprehensive health insurance coverage (medical, dental, vision) is included.
• We offer a generous budget for home office equipment and continuous professional development, including conference attendance and specialized training.
• Our client fosters a collaborative and innovative culture, empowering you to make a tangible impact on the future of decentralized finance.
• Employees enjoy flexible working hours and ample paid time off.

Join a forward-thinking team and help build the next generation of financial technology from the comfort of your home.