Principal Blockchain Engineer

Placements24; Stellenbosch; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Bonus potential

Professional development funding

Conference attendance support

Job summary

Placements24 in Stellenbosch, Western Cape, is seeking a Principal Blockchain Engineer to design and optimize core blockchain protocols within a hybrid work setting. You will mentor junior engineers, drive technical strategy, and shape the platform's evolution, combining distributed systems expertise with cryptography.

The ideal candidate has 10+ years in software engineering, 5+ years in blockchain, and advanced degrees. Proficiency in Solidity/Vyper/Rust and cloud DevOps is essential.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in a quantitative field (MS/PhD).
• 10+ years software engineering experience with 5+ years in blockchain.
• Proficiency in Solidity, Vyper, or Rust.
• Experience with distributed systems, cryptography, and security audits.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and implementation of complex blockchain systems.
• Develop secure smart contracts and dApps with high performance.
• Architect scalable blockchain infrastructure and tooling.
• Mentor engineers and guide technical strategy.
• Perform code reviews, performance analyses, and security audits.
• Research and integrate new blockchain technologies and cryptographic methods.
• Collaborate with product to shape technical roadmaps.
• Resolve production issues and champion best practices.

Skills

Blockchain development

Smart contracts

Distributed systems

Leadership

Cryptography

Education

Master's or PhD in CS/Engineering

Tools

AWS

Azure

GCP

Docker

Kubernetes

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a pioneer in decentralized finance (DeFi) infrastructure, is seeking a highly accomplished Principal Blockchain Engineer to join their team in Stellenbosch, Western Cape. This hybrid role combines the benefits of collaborative office work with the flexibility of remote work. You will be at the forefront of designing, developing, and optimizing core blockchain protocols and infrastructure. This position requires a deep technical understanding of distributed systems, cryptography, and smart contract development, along with a passion for innovation and problem-solving. You will mentor junior engineers, drive technical strategy, and contribute significantly to the evolution of our client's cutting‑edge platform. This is an exceptional opportunity to shape the future of blockchain technology.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design and implementation of complex blockchain systems and protocols.


• Develop and optimize high-performance, secure smart contracts and dApps.


• Architect and build scalable and resilient blockchain infrastructure.


• Conduct in-depth code reviews, performance analysis, and security audits.


• Mentor and guide a team of talented blockchain engineers.


• Research and integrate new blockchain technologies and cryptographic techniques.


• Collaborate with product management to define technical roadmaps and features.


• Troubleshoot and resolve critical issues in production environments.


• Champion best practices in software development, security, and blockchain engineering.

Requirements

• Master's or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related quantitative field.


• 10+ years of experience in software engineering, with a strong emphasis (5+ years) on blockchain development and architecture.


• Expertise in one or more smart contract languages (e.g., Solidity, Vyper, Rust).


• Deep understanding of various blockchain platforms (e.g., Ethereum, Solana, Polkadot) and their underlying consensus mechanisms.


• Proven experience in designing and implementing large‑scale distributed systems.


• Strong knowledge of cryptography, network security, and data structures.


• Excellent leadership, communication, and mentoring skills.


• Experience with cloud computing platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) and DevOps practices.


• Track record of delivering complex, high-quality software products.

Benefits

Our client offers an industry-leading salary, comprehensive health benefits, and significant bonus potential. The hybrid work model in Stellenbosch, Western Cape provides a flexible and balanced work environment. You will have access to ongoing professional development, including funding for courses, conferences, and research. Join a company that is passionate about blockchain innovation, offers exciting challenges, and fosters a culture of learning and growth. We believe in empowering our team members and providing them with the resources to achieve their full potential in the rapidly evolving world of blockchain.