Principal Blockchain Engineer

Placements24; Mtubatuba Local Municipality; Hybrid; ZAR 4,149,000 - 5,809,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity options

Global health coverage

Unlimited PTO

Remote‑first culture

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Principal Blockchain Engineer to shape architectural vision and drive technical execution for large‑scale blockchain projects in a fully remote setting. You will lead core infrastructure, novel protocols, and dApps, guiding distributed teams and influencing the decentralized web.

This is a high‑level, remote‑first role with significant impact and scope. The ideal candidate has a PhD/Master’s in a quantitative field and 10+ years building secure blockchain systems, with

Qualifications

• PhD or Master’s degree in CS/Cryptography or related field.
• 10+ years of software engineering experience with a focus on blockchain development and architecture.
• Proven track record designing high‑throughput, secure blockchain systems from scratch.
• Expertise in multiple languages (Go, Rust, C++, Solidity) and blockchain frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Define and drive the technical strategy and architecture for major blockchain initiatives.
• Design, develop, and deploy high‑performance, secure, and scalable blockchain protocols and applications.
• Lead and mentor engineering teams, setting high standards for code quality and engineering best practices.
• Conduct in‑depth research into emerging blockchain technologies, cryptographic techniques, and distributed systems.
• Oversee the implementation of complex smart contracts and distributed ledger solutions.
• Troubleshoot and resolve critical technical challenges across distributed systems.
• Collaborate with product management and other stakeholders to define technical requirements and roadmaps.
• Champion innovation and advocate for the adoption of cutting‑edge technologies.
• Contribute to the open‑source blockchain community and represent the company at technical forums.
• Ensure the robustness and security of all deployed blockchain infrastructure.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Communication

Team mentorship

Remote collaboration

Education

PhD or Master’s in CS/Cryptography or related

Tools

Go

Rust

C++

Solidity

Blockchain frameworks

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a globally recognized leader in blockchain technology solutions, is seeking a highly accomplished Principal Blockchain Engineer to join their pioneering team. This is a fully remote position, offering unparalleled flexibility for top talent worldwide. You will be instrumental in shaping the architectural vision and driving the technical execution of complex, large-scale blockchain projects. Your expertise will guide the development of core infrastructure, novel protocols, and innovative dApps, pushing the boundaries of what's possible in the decentralized web. This is a unique opportunity to operate at the highest technical level, influencing the trajectory of blockchain technology from anywhere in the world.

Key Responsibilities

• Define and drive the technical strategy and architecture for major blockchain initiatives.
• Design, develop, and deploy high-performance, secure, and scalable blockchain protocols and applications.
• Lead and mentor engineering teams, setting high standards for code quality and engineering best practices.
• Conduct in-depth research into emerging blockchain technologies, cryptographic techniques, and decentralized systems.
• Oversee the implementation of complex smart contracts and distributed ledger solutions.
• Troubleshoot and resolve critical technical challenges across distributed systems.
• Collaborate with product management and other stakeholders to define technical requirements and roadmaps.
• Champion innovation and advocate for the adoption of cutting-edge technologies.
• Contribute to the open-source blockchain community and represent the company at technical forums.
• Ensure the robustness and security of all deployed blockchain infrastructure.

Requirements

• PhD or Master's degree in Computer Science, Cryptography, or a related quantitative field.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in software engineering, with a significant portion dedicated to blockchain development and architecture.
• Proven track record of designing and building complex, high-throughput, and secure blockchain systems from scratch.
• Expertise in multiple programming languages (e.g., Go, Rust, C++, Solidity) and blockchain frameworks.
• Deep understanding of cryptographic principles, consensus algorithms, and distributed ledger technologies.
• Experience with performance optimization, security auditing, and network security in a blockchain context.
• Strong leadership qualities and the ability to influence technical direction.
• Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and collaboration abilities, essential for a remote-first environment.
• A strong portfolio of contributions to significant blockchain projects or research is highly valued.

Benefits

This fully remote role offers a top-tier compensation package, including a significant base salary, substantial performance bonuses, and equity options. We provide comprehensive global health coverage, unlimited paid time off, and a generous budget for professional development, including conferences and advanced training. You will have the autonomy to define your work schedule and location, supported by state-of-the-art remote work tools and a collaborative online culture. Join our client from anywhere and contribute to building the decentralized future.