Remote Blockchain Protocol Engineer

Placements24; Stellenbosch; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a highly skilled Remote Blockchain Protocol Engineer to design, develop, and optimize core blockchain protocols that underpin a decentralized ecosystem. This fully remote role offers flexible hours, global collaboration, and the chance to contribute to high‑impact foundational technology with a strong emphasis on security, performance, and scalability for large distributed networks.

You will work with researchers and engineers to implement protocol upgrades, analyze

Qualifications

• PhD or master’s degree in CS/cryptography with a focus on distributed systems.
• 5+ years in software engineering with substantial blockchain protocol development.
• Deep understanding of distributed systems, consensus algorithms (PoW, PoS, BFT), and network protocols.
• Proficiency in Go, Rust, or C++.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and maintain core blockchain protocols and consensus mechanisms.
• Develop high-performance, secure, and scalable distributed ledger technologies.
• Optimize network performance, throughput, and latency.
• Conduct R&D into novel cryptographic techniques and consensus algorithms.
• Write high-quality, well-tested code in Go, Rust, or C++.
• Collaborate with remote engineers, researchers, and cryptographers on protocol upgrades.
• Analyze network performance and security vulnerabilities; implement solutions.
• Contribute to technical documentation, whitepapers, and open-source engagement.
• Mentor junior engineers and contribute to team growth.
• Ensure robustness and resilience of the blockchain network.

Skills

Distributed systems

Blockchain protocol development

Go

Rust

C++

Cryptography

Problem solving

Asynchronous collaboration

Education

PhD or Master’s in Computer Science or Cryptography

Tools

Go

Rust

C++

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a visionary company building the next generation of decentralized infrastructure, is actively seeking a highly skilled Remote Blockchain Protocol Engineer. This position is fully remote, offering the flexibility to work from anywhere in the world. You will be at the forefront of designing, developing, and optimizing core blockchain protocols that form the foundation of our decentralized ecosystem. This role demands deep expertise in distributed systems, cryptography, and performance optimization, with a strong emphasis on creating robust, secure, and scalable network solutions. If you are passionate about pushing the boundaries of blockchain technology and contributing to foundational protocols, this remote opportunity is perfect for you. Join a team of brilliant minds dedicated to building a more decentralized future.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and maintain core blockchain protocols and consensus mechanisms.
• Develop high-performance, secure, and scalable distributed ledger technologies.
• Optimize network performance, transaction throughput, and latency.
• Conduct rigorous research and development into novel cryptographic techniques and consensus algorithms.
• Write high-quality, well-tested, and maintainable code, primarily in languages like Go, Rust, or C++.
• Collaborate with other remote engineers, researchers, and cryptographers to define and implement protocol upgrades.
• Analyze network performance and security vulnerabilities, developing and implementing effective solutions.
• Contribute to technical documentation, whitepapers, and open-source community engagement.
• Mentor junior engineers and contribute to the overall technical growth of the team.
• Ensure the robustness and resilience of the blockchain network under various conditions.

Requirements

• PhD or Master's degree in Computer Science, Cryptography, or a related field with a strong focus on distributed systems.
• 5+ years of experience in software engineering, with a significant portion dedicated to blockchain protocol development.
• Deep understanding of distributed systems, consensus algorithms (e.g., PoW, PoS, BFT), and network protocols.
• Proficiency in systems programming languages such as Go, Rust, or C++.
• Strong knowledge of cryptography, including public-key cryptography, hashing, and digital signatures.
• Experience with performance optimization and debugging complex systems.
• Familiarity with building and deploying large-scale distributed networks.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
• Strong communication skills, adept at collaborating within a remote, asynchronous environment.
• Contributions to open-source blockchain projects are highly valued.

Benefits

• Fully remote work opportunity with flexible working hours.
• Highly competitive salary and token-based compensation package.
• Comprehensive health insurance and wellness benefits.
• Generous budget for professional development, conferences, and research.
• Opportunity to work on foundational blockchain technology with significant impact.
• Collaborate with world-class researchers and engineers.
• Generous paid time off and flexible leave policies.
• Stock options or equivalent equity in a rapidly growing venture.