Senior Blockchain Security Engineer

Placements24; East London; Hybrid; ZAR 2,495,000 - 3,826,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Equity options

Global health benefits

Remote-friendly

Home office stipend

Paid time off

Professional development funds

Conferences funding

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Blockchain Security Engineer to safeguard decentralized finance platforms. This fully remote role focuses on securing protocols, smart contracts, and assets through rigorous audits, secure coding practices, and threat modeling.

The candidate will lead security initiatives, develop automated tooling, and collaborate with global engineering teams to embed security across the development lifecycle.

Qualifications

• Master's or Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Cybersecurity, or a related technical discipline.
• 6+ years in cybersecurity with at least 3 years in blockchain security.
• Expertise in Solidity and Rust and familiarity with common vulnerabilities.
• Experience with incident response and digital forensics.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and implementation of security architectures for blockchain protocols and dApps.
• Perform in-depth security audits and penetration testing of smart contracts and DeFi protocols.
• Develop and maintain security tools for automated vulnerability detection.
• Investigate security incidents and develop remediation strategies.
• Mentor junior security engineers and promote secure SDLC practices.
• Stay updated on emerging blockchain threats and mitigation techniques.

Skills

Solidity

Rust

Security audits

Incident response

Forensics

Reverse engineering

Threat modeling

Cryptography

Distributed systems

Leadership

Communication

Education

Bachelor's or Master’s in CS/Cybersecurity

Tools

Static analysis tools

Dynamic analysis tools

Fuzzing tools

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a trailblazer in the development of decentralized financial infrastructure, is actively recruiting a Senior Blockchain Security Engineer for a fully remote position. This role is critical for safeguarding our cutting‑edge blockchain protocols, smart contracts, and associated digital assets against sophisticated threats. The ideal candidate will possess deep expertise in blockchain security principles, vulnerability analysis, secure coding practices, and incident response within the cryptocurrency domain. You will lead security initiatives, conduct rigorous audits, and collaborate closely with engineering teams to embed security throughout the development lifecycle. This is an exceptional opportunity to work on challenging, high‑impact projects from anywhere, contributing significantly to the trust and integrity of decentralized financial systems. We are building a secure future for finance, and this role is at its core.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design and implementation of robust security architectures for blockchain protocols and dApps.
• Perform in-depth security audits and penetration testing of smart contracts, DeFi protocols, and related infrastructure.
• Develop and maintain security tools and frameworks for automated vulnerability detection.
• Investigate security incidents, perform forensic analysis, and develop effective remediation strategies.
• Collaborate with engineering teams to embed security best practices into the development lifecycle (SDLC).
• Stay at the forefront of emerging blockchain security threats, vulnerabilities, and mitigation techniques.
• Contribute to the development of security policies, standards, and procedures.
• Mentor junior security engineers and provide security awareness training to development teams.
• Assess and manage cryptographic risks associated with blockchain applications.
• Engage with the broader blockchain security community and contribute to open‑source security efforts.

Requirements

• Master's or Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Cybersecurity, or a related technical discipline.
• Minimum of 6 years of experience in cybersecurity, with at least 3 years specifically focused on blockchain security.
• Expertise in smart contract languages (Solidity, Rust) and common vulnerabilities.
• Proficiency with blockchain security analysis tools, static/dynamic analysis, and fuzzing techniques.
• Strong understanding of cryptography, distributed systems, network security, and threat modeling.
• Experience with incident response, digital forensics, and reverse engineering.
• Demonstrated ability to lead security initiatives and influence technical decisions.
• Excellent analytical, problem‑solving, and communication skills.
• Ability to work autonomously and effectively in a fully remote, global team environment.
• Passion for blockchain technology and commitment to maintaining the highest security standards.

Benefits

• Our client offers a highly competitive salary, generous equity options, and comprehensive global health benefits.
• As a fully remote organization, we provide unparalleled flexibility and support for remote work, including a home office stipend and generous paid time off.
• Employees have access to extensive professional development resources, including funding for conferences, certifications, and advanced training.
• You will be part of a collaborative and forward‑thinking culture dedicated to pushing the boundaries of decentralized finance.
• This role offers significant impact and career growth opportunities for security professionals passionate about the blockchain space, irrespective of their physical location, making it ideal for candidates interested in roles impacting the Eastern Cape tech landscape from afar.