Senior Smart Contract Engineer - DeFi Development

Placements24; Sandton; Hybrid; ZAR 1,500,000 - 2,100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fully remote

Competitive salary

Token incentives

Professional growth

Job summary

Placements24 in Sandton-based DeFi startup seeks a Senior Smart Contract Engineer to design, test, and deploy secure contracts on Ethereum-compatible chains. You will implement DeFi protocols, review code, optimize gas usage, and contribute to security audits. A strong background in Solidity, DeFi fundamentals, and JS/TS testing is essential.

This fully remote role offers competitive compensation and opportunities to shape the core DeFi stack from anywhere in SA.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of software development with at least 3 years in smart contract development.
• Expert-level Solidity with experience in testing frameworks (Hardhat/Truffle/Foundry).
• Strong understanding of DeFi protocols, tokenomics, and security best practices.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, test, and deploy secure Solidity contracts.
• Implement DeFi logic: tokens, AMMs, lending, yield strategies.
• Collaborate with PMs, researchers, and engineers to define specs.
• Conduct unit/integration tests and code reviews for security and correctness.
• Optimize contracts for gas efficiency and performance.
• Participate in security audits and remediate vulnerabilities.
• Stay updated on blockchain tech, DeFi, and security best practices.
• Contribute to architecture and technical direction.
• Mentor junior engineers and share knowledge.

Skills

Solidity

DeFi concepts

Smart contract security

JavaScript/TypeScript

Ethers.js/Web3.js

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in CS

Tools

Hardhat

Truffle

Foundry

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a pioneering DeFi protocol based in Sandton , is actively seeking a talented Senior Smart Contract Engineer. This role is central to the development and enhancement of our decentralized finance protocols. You will be responsible for writing, testing, and deploying secure and efficient smart contracts on platforms such as Ethereum and other EVM-compatible chains. The ideal candidate has extensive experience in Solidity development, a deep understanding of DeFi concepts, and a passion for building secure and scalable decentralized applications. This is a crucial role for driving innovation within the core of our Gauteng -based operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, test, and deploy high-quality, secure, and efficient smart contracts in Solidity.
• Implement complex DeFi logic, including but not limited to token standards, AMMs, lending protocols, and yield aggregators.
• Collaborate closely with product managers, researchers, and other engineers to define requirements and specifications.
• Conduct thorough code reviews, unit testing, and integration testing to ensure contract security and functionality.
• Optimize smart contracts for gas efficiency and performance.
• Participate in security audits and implement remediation for identified vulnerabilities.
• Stay up-to-date with the latest developments in blockchain technology, DeFi, and smart contract security best practices.
• Contribute to the overall architecture and technical direction of the DeFi protocols.
• Mentor junior engineers and share knowledge within the team.

Requirements

• Minimum 5 years of experience in software development, with at least 3 years focused on smart contract development.
• Expert-level proficiency in Solidity and experience with smart contract development frameworks (e.g., Hardhat, Truffle, Foundry).
• Deep understanding of DeFi protocols, tokenomics, and economic principles.
• Familiarity with common DeFi vulnerabilities and security best practices.
• Proficiency in JavaScript or TypeScript for testing and scripting.
• Experience with Ethers.js or Web3.js for interacting with the blockchain.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and teamwork abilities.
• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science or a related field is preferred.

Benefits

• This is a fully remote position offering flexibility and autonomy.
• Our client provides a highly competitive salary, attractive token incentives, and a comprehensive benefits package.
• Opportunities for professional growth, attending top industry conferences, and continuous learning are abundant.
• Join a talented and passionate team dedicated to innovation in the blockchain space.
• This role, connected to the Sandton area, offers the chance to make a significant impact from anywhere.