Senior Smart Contract Engineer - DeFi Focus

Placements24; Centurion; Hybrid; ZAR 1,000,000 - 1,400,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fully remote position offering global…

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Smart Contract Engineer to join a remote-first team focused on DeFi on the web3 stack. Based in Centurion but fully remote, you will design, develop, and deploy secure smart contracts for advanced DeFi protocols.

You bring deep blockchain knowledge and Solidity expertise, plus experience with Truffle or Hardhat, Web3 integration, and security best practices. You will mentor peers and help shape scalable architecture.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of professional software development, with 3+ years focused on blockchain and smart contract development.
• Proven expertise in Solidity and related languages.
• Experience with DeFi protocols, cryptography, and security best practices.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, test, and deploy secure DeFi smart contracts.
• Audit and review contracts to identify vulnerabilities.
• Collaborate with product managers and engineers to define smart contract requirements and specifications.
• Optimize smart contracts for gas efficiency and performance.
• Mentor junior engineers and contribute to knowledge sharing.

Skills

Solidity

DeFi

Gas optimization

Smart contract security

Web3 libraries

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree in CS/Engineering

Tools

Truffle

Hardhat

Web3.js

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a prominent innovator in the Crypto & Blockchain arena, is actively seeking a Senior Smart Contract Engineer to join their remote-first team. While our operational base is in Centurion, Gauteng, this position is fully remote, allowing you to contribute from anywhere. You will be instrumental in designing, developing, and deploying secure, efficient, and robust smart contracts, with a particular emphasis on decentralized finance (DeFi) protocols. The ideal candidate possesses a deep understanding of blockchain technology, smart contract security best practices, and extensive experience in Solidity or similar languages. This is an exciting opportunity to work on cutting-edge DeFi applications, driving innovation and contributing to the growth of the decentralized economy. Our client is committed to fostering a culture of technical excellence and continuous learning, providing a platform for professionals to make a significant impact in the web3 space. Your expertise will be crucial in building the next generation of financial tools and services on the blockchain. You will work on complex financial primitives and protocols, ensuring their integrity and performance in a highly dynamic market environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, test, and deploy secure and efficient smart contracts, primarily for DeFi applications.
• Conduct rigorous security audits and code reviews for smart contracts to identify and mitigate vulnerabilities.
• Collaborate with product managers and other engineers to define smart contract requirements and specifications.
• Optimize smart contracts for gas efficiency and performance.
• Implement and test various consensus mechanisms and blockchain protocols relevant to DeFi.
• Stay up-to-date with the latest trends, best practices, and security concerns in smart contract development and DeFi.
• Mentor junior engineers and contribute to the team's knowledge sharing and technical growth.
• Participate in the full software development lifecycle, from conceptualization to deployment and maintenance.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex issues related to smart contract execution and blockchain interactions.
• Contribute to the overall architecture and design of decentralized applications.

Requirements

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
• Minimum of 5 years of professional software development experience, with at least 3 years focused on blockchain and smart contract development.
• Proven expertise in Solidity and experience with other smart contract languages is a plus.
• Deep understanding of blockchain fundamentals, DeFi protocols (e.g., AMMs, lending protocols, yield farming), and cryptography.
• Experience with smart contract development frameworks (e.g., Truffle, Hardhat) and testing tools.
• Familiarity with Web3 libraries and front-end integration concepts.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, with a keen eye for security vulnerabilities.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, adept at working in a remote environment.
• Demonstrable experience in optimizing smart contracts for gas efficiency.
• Commitment to writing clean, maintainable, and secure code.

Benefits

• Fully remote position offering global flexibility and work-life balance.
• Highly competitive salary and performance-based incentives.
• Opportunity to work on pioneering DeFi and blockchain projects.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Generous professional development budget for continuous learning.
• Flexible working hours to suit your schedule.
• A collaborative, innovative, and supportive remote team culture.
• Access to cutting-edge blockchain technology and tools.
• Contribution to the growth and advancement of decentralized finance.